Computer Help: Netbooks

[cyfan964]

I know "the game" is on, but I'm going to type this during commercials. :biggrin:

I'm looking at getting a netbook, probably an Acer Aspire One. Admittedly I don't know much about computers so I thought I would ask opinions from people I actually trust rather than reading reviews that have screwed me in the past.

First off, I only really need it to surf the web and possibly store some music with an external drive. I have a nice desktop, but it would be great to have something to take with me on trips or to the coffee shop to eat caramels. (Good Will Hunting reference.... sorry)

Anyway, can anyone give me any insight on these? I have no idea what any of the specifications really mean.

The Acer Aspire One Netbook Review :: Articles :: www.hardwarezone.com®

I know I can get Windows on it... I have no interest in Linux since I would have no idea how to use it.

I know some limitations are color quality, resolution, and only a .3MP webcam.... none of this really bothers me.

 

[bos]

Acers are becoming big sellers and have been pretty solid. If you can get a good price, I would say go for it. Some of the big wigs at my office purchased some of these to toy with and asked me to set them up. Nice little machine if you just plan to use it for email, web and such.

Just make sure you get a windows based one. You cant just install windows on these, they have to be designed for it.

 

[bos]

Linpus Linux Lite looks intriguing. I may download it and install it for the kids. I like the icon menu. Seems easy and intuitive for small kids.

 

[CyAg]

My wife has one with the 120 gb hard drive , windows xp, 10.1" screen. She likes it and it works well.

Some complain that it is hard to type on. We have 2 and the kids love it for surfing, email.

If you do not like that one, try the HP 12.1" tablets.

 

[cyfan964]

Acers are becoming big sellers and have been pretty solid. If you can get a good price, I would say go for it. Some of the big wigs at my office purchased some of these to toy with and asked me to set them up. Nice little machine if you just plan to use it for email, web and such.

Just make sure you get a windows based one. You cant just install windows on these, they have to be designed for it.

Thanks for the tips. Can you explain to me what a solid state drive means? I'm sure you are rolling your eyes at me right now:wink:, but I have no idea what that means.

 

[brianhos]

I have the dell mini 8. It is ok, but too tiny to really use. I gave it to the kids to use because my hands are too big for the keyboard.

 

[bos]

Thanks for the tips. Can you explain to me what a solid state drive means? I'm sure you are rolling your eyes at me right now:wink:, but I have no idea what that means.

No moving parts on the hard drive. So if its jostled about, the instruments inside a typical hard drive wont be there to get wrecked. Its essential an SD card inside that houses your stuff. It will run cooler, quieter, and wont suffer from wear.

 

[cyfan964]

No moving parts on the hard drive. So if its jostled about, the instruments inside a typical hard drive wont be there to get wrecked. Its essential an SD card inside that houses your stuff. It will run cooler, quieter, and wont suffer from wear.

Makes sense. I'm assuming the same sort of thing is in IPODS. Would you say the specs on it are adequate to do just about anything on it? Could it possibly handle Windows 7 in the future? I've read that it is hard to add RAM as it is not readily assessable. I think my friend had to remove the keyboard to access it.

 

[CyAg]

So you may want to try the one that does not have the solid state drive (120 gb). It holds more, and is just a bit larger (10.1") and easier to type on.

CYAg

 

[Jer]

I have the Acer Aspire One 150 (the higher end version) and really like it. I don't like to take my main desktop replacement anywhere and it's nice to have something bigger than the BlackBerry but small enough to fit easily in just about any bag.

If you either don't mind Linux or have a copy of XP laying around, the newly released HP Mini Mi is a great deal starting at only $329. It has easily the best keyboard and sleekness while also staying reasonably priced.

For more on the Acer, check out the following...

Acer Aspire One User Forum

 

[cyfan964]

So you may want to try the one that does not have the solid state drive (120 gb). It holds more, and is just a bit larger (10.1") and easier to type on.

CYAg

Thanks, that seems like the way to go. It looks like I would go after the A150X. It looks to have XP with HDD storage and the possibility of 160 GB. It also has a 1.3MP webcam and the option for a 6 cell battery rather than the 3 cell.

 

[CyAg]

Offically, we have the EEC, with the 120 hard drive, It runs about $380

 

[maui6651]

Microsoft is targeting the netbook segment for 7. Probably because they are selling in huge numbers. Vista will run on the Dell Mini 9 (another netbook), so I don't see why 7 won't run on most netbooks.

Just another option to throw out there, but I bought my fiance a Lenovo S10 for Christmas and she really likes it. Its built well and is very solid, but the keyboard is about 10% too small for me to feel comfortable using.

Most netbooks will run what most users throw at them: Office, internet, and music. They won't run much of anything that is real computation or graphics heavy (no 3D rendering), but otherwise should be fine for normal sitting on the couch use.

If you're looking to store a good deal of music or pictures on it, you'll probably want to opt for the regular drive. SSDs won't have much capacity for a reasonable amount of money for a few more years.

 

[tim_redd]

I don't have any of these, but I've heard good things about the IBM S10.

 

[CY ST8T]

Get a Dual Core Processor as it is the new thing for a very good processor. I have been looking for something good below $500 for quite awhile and finally pulled the trigger on a great Toshiba 15.4 inch screen T3400 Dual Core Processor, 160GB HD, Super Multi DVD and 2 GB SDRAM expandable to 4. It was only $439.99 including shipping. This deal was on Newegg

 

[Jer]

Here is a good selection of netbooks with good prices...

Mini-Notebooks and Accessories at JR.com

 

[cyfan964]

Here is a good selection of netbooks with good prices...

Mini-Notebooks and Accessories at JR.com

Geez.... this just makes my head hurt. :smile: So many options... somebody just pick one for me and I'll get it!

I love everything I have that is Samsung, but would is it worth an extra couple hundred to go with that? I guess it does have bluetooth on it which doesn't come on most.

I'm still leaning towards an Acer Aspire One i think.

 

[Jer]

I would go with the Acer again, possibly HP Mini would be close.

I like the Samsung and some of the other new ones released at CES but none really provide anything better than the Acer and it's incredibly well built and the value for specs is very good.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I'd second the larger battery. Also, in our office we create and provide software on CDs. You'll need an external drive, I think for the Acer if this is a consideration.