netbook advice

[shrimply]

Hi, looking for a bit of help.

 

Really want something lightweight to use at uni, for lectures and taking to the library etc. And I find my full sized laptop too much to carry around( not to mention the fact its falling to bits).

 

Was hoping to get one for Christmas but apparently what Santa thought I really needed was a new rain coat;). Not that I'm complaining it is an expensive raincoat and will be used.

 

Problem is that I have no money and feel I really need a netbook,lol.

 

Anyway looking for any advice or opinions.

 

Been looking at this one. I think its probably the sort of thing I want. I think that it needs to have a windows operating system as I will want to install office 2007 but doubt that I'll be able to afford anything with vista. I also would like a decent sized hard drive.

 

Buy ACER AOA150-BB | 8.9" netbook - Specification | Comet

 

But to be honest I have no idea what I want, the only thing I am sure about is that its not to be an advent, pc world have a lot of advent netbooks in the sales, but the laptop I have just now had major repairs done before it was even a year old and its an advent. Not going there again. The fact its still running is a mirical.

[BeeCeeBee]

Shrimp I am going to make a suggestion that goes down a different route.

 

I travel a lot and got tired of carrying my laptop with its 17 in screen around and considered doing just what you are thinking about.

 

Then I found the greatest case with loads of pockets to organise my work stuff and even room for snacks on the plane. The best thing is it looked cool and professional and HAS WHEELS!!

 

Mine is leather but I have seen some really nice cloth ones too. Once you stop carrying stuff around you will never go back.

 

Just a thought.

[shrimply]

Thanks, for what I do though I really need something that I can put in a backpack, I'm sure wheels are fine for short distances, but I'm over a mile from my main lecture theatre and walk there and back about twice a day. The library is the same in the opposite direction.

 

Also looking at this one.

 

HP 2133 Laptop - Laptops at Ebuyer

 

Though I have no knowledge of vista business really and am a bit wary about using 1gb of ram with vista.

[shrimply]

no opinions?

 

Really need some help here. Even if your opinion is that they are a waste of time, which I'm guessing from the lack of replies you maybe think they are. That'd be a help because its a lot of money for me right now and I'm prepared to spend it as I can see it being a big help but if its not worth it then I'd be grateful of that advice.

[Diurno]

Probably the person you want to talk to is Dalo Harkin but he hasnt been online for a few days.

 

Anyway, how much do you want to spend?

[Goku]

no opinions?

 

Really need some help here. Even if your opinion is that they are a waste of time, which I'm guessing from the lack of replies you maybe think they are. That'd be a help because its a lot of money for me right now and I'm prepared to spend it as I can see it being a big help but if its not worth it then I'd be grateful of that advice.

Sorry Shrimply; we must have missed your post in the daily onslaught of threads. As I am a complete dunce of hardware, you wouldn't get a sensible answer from me. Please wait till one of the other hardware gurus come online as they will provide you with reliable reviews of the notebook. Thank you for your patience and your co-operation. :)

 

-- Goku

[Tootech]

Vista Business is fine if you don't want to use the Windows Media Center - it isn't installed.

 

1GB RAM is the absolute minimum for Vista, if you are emailing, browsing the web and the like it will work ok.

 

Adding another 1GB will make a real difference to the general snappiness and startup speed.

 

If you add a substantial security suite, 2GB is desireable, and at about £25 for a 2GB branded module, it's not too much money

[mike]

Hey,

 

Just some comments from my experience.

 

A lot of people in University at the moment have a Netbook or something similar. It seems to do them well, especially in lectures.

 

Most people use them for taking notes and creating hybrid concept mind maps although Youtube, Facebook and MySpace do creep in there during lectures! lol

 

I don't have one, but I do have a 13" MacBook. Although not as small, they are just as easy to carry around all day. Not sure what the battery life is on a NetBook but on my Mac I can easily get 5+ hours out of it if I tweak a few settings (brightness, Bluetooth, sometimes WiFi).

 

MacBooks are much more expensive than Netbooks but you are getting so much more than an electronic pad of paper. I use my Macbook as my main computer whereas a Netbook just does not have the power or the display to use it for anything more than browsing and taking notes.

 

Hope this adds some weight into the decision.

 

Mike

[shrimply]

Thanks everyone, I'm still swithering.

 

If you looked at my bank account you'd understand why. I certainly can't consider a mac book.

 

The way i figure I've got three options.

 

1) I get a very cheap one with a linux operating system and tiny hard drive

2)I get a more expensive one with windows operating system

3)I don't get one at all.

 

The thing is in reality for the most ease I'd prefer it to have windows, and bigger hard drive etc would make it a lot more usable. But at the same time only the HP 2133 really appeals since it has vista, wrong or not I now see XP as taking a step backward and much prefer Vista. But this it's self raises problems as there seems to be some doubt if the netbook can actually handle vista and it almost certainly needs an extra GB of ram which again adds cost.

 

I think I'll probably end up not getting one as I have a feeling my main laptop will need replaced in the near future which again is more cost.

[Tootech]

PC Pro Review Of Netbooks

 

PC Pro have just done a review of Netbooks. It's their Feb 2009 issue, it may be worth wandering into a shop and having a read.

 

They recommend the Acer Aspire A150L at £215 or the Samsung NC10 at £298.

 

Just thought I'd let you know.

[shrimply]

Thanks, I think I've made my decision, but thought I'd run it past you guys first.

 

I think for the looks and build quality I'm going to go for the HP 2133, but not the vista version (which is something I'm sad about). Rather the linux model here

 

HP Compaq 2133 Mini-Note Netbook Laptop - Laptops at Ebuyer

 

I'll give the linux supplied ago and then see if Ubuntu works better but ultimately I'll probably buy and install XP on it, which it seemingly runs fine.

 

ONly downsides are the fact its not got the intel atom and has a low 2 hours batter life but looking at the reviews on Ebuyer I think its a good one.

 

Saying that I am still looking into the other options, the MSI wind for instance would be great but look a little too much for me.

[shrimply]

Well my dad agreed to help me out a bit so looks like I'm finally going to get one, I reckon it has to be the HP 2133, the price beats the rest by a long way and it apparently runs both ubuntu and XP really well.

 

I've also discovered if I find that I'm struggling with the shorter battery life (although I doubt I will) i can get a 6 cell for about £40.

 

Anyone want to stop me before I do anything stupid.

[Dalo Harkin]

Shrimps - have a look here too mate MSI Notebook Website - Gaming

 

I had a play with one the other day and it was awesome

The Atom chip is cool - its smaller than a penny :eek:

[shrimply]

Thanks, yeah I've looked at the MSI Wind and the Samsung NC10, both of which are really nice, but I don't think for what I need I can justify the £300+ price tag.

 

Especially once all the extras are taken into consideration.

 

The HP is cheap and looks the part and reading the reviews of people who actually own one they're all happy.

 

I dunno, I have this problem where I am going to spend more time making my mind up than actually buying one.

 

Oh completely off topic but do HP have a thing against intel, its just most of their computers I see don't use intel and pretty much all reviews I've read online about the mini-note say that if they'd fitted the atom it would of been top of the game.

[Dalo Harkin]

They just have preferred suppliers.

Like XFX always used to be an NVIDIA partner - 'word on the street' lol always wanted to say that is that they are switching to making ATI cards :eek:

Sacrilage lol

[shrimply]

Thanks, I kind of had to eat my words as I just found out they're brining out the hp 2104 which come with the intel atom and promises to beat the competition hands down.

 

But its out of my price range, so I thought I'd let you know I've just ordered the hp 2133. It has its flaws but its cheap and should do all I need it to. Just hoping I made the right choice now.

 

Anyway thanks for all the help, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions after it arrives, if you don't mind that is.

[Dalo Harkin]

We dont mind in the slightest Shrimps :)