Buying a Netbook....

[hennessy1]

I've swayed the idea of buying a laptop but I really don't use all that much on it to justify the over 1g cost on it. Any intensive tasks I have my desktop for. But I also don't want some crap device where I can get more power out of a smartphone. I was considering this netbook here ASUS Model N10J-A2. I hear the msi wind is a very good buy but I like the dedicated gpu. I was wondering if someone can help convince me this is a good buy or if they have any netbook experience theyd like to share about the model I chose or their own. Thank you.

 

[IlllI]

doing a quick search the cheapest one i saw was $750. waaaaay too expensive for a netbook in my opinion.

 

[Fayd]

dedicated gpu means more power consumption.

personally i like my 1000h, even though the most advanced game it's gonna play is BG2.

 

[hennessy1]

I like it because it gives me the option of a few games here and there if I choose to do so later on. Would it be better to wait for the dual core atom to come out or would the current atom be fine?

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: hennessy1
I like it because it gives me the option of a few games here and there if I choose to do so later on. Would it be better to wait for the dual core atom to come out or would the current atom be fine?

current atom is fine for games. if you want to play more than original counterstrike, you're looking for something more than a netbook.

 

[hennessy1]

No I have in mind like some of the delta force games nothing extreme. But the thing is I wouldnt play them all the time so if I invested in a semigaming notebook it would be a waste of money don't you think to only use what its intended purpose 1/4 of the time.

 

[Fayd]

that's a choice you have to make between yourself and your wallet.

personally, i'm happy with my choice. it's my portable anime theater and slight game station, aside from being able to browse the web. i'm happy with that.

 

[hennessy1]

I just feel if I drop 1-2g on a regular notebook Ill end up wasting the money because I won't really use it all that much for other then the basics. If I want a powerhouse I just use the desktop I don't wanna bring all that in a small package with me. About the dual core atom do you know when that is or was suppose to be released?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: hennessy1
About the dual core atom do you know when that is or was suppose to be released?

It is already out, but no company has used it yet in a netbook. Currently it is available for purchase as part of an Intel branded mini ITX motherboard.

 

[hennessy1]

Do they plan to not use it in netbooks to keep the price low?

 

[Zap]

I don't know the exact reason, but yes it will increase price and add 4W of power consumption. Hmmm, I wonder how much the special Windows XP Home has to do with it? Supposedly Microsoft is continuing to sell XP for low power devices, but with limitations on what the manufacturer can bundle with it (such as only 1GB RAM).

Actually, just looked it up right now and I'm right, Microsoft is limiting the hardware that can be bundled with XP.

Microsoft eases hardware terms for XP on low-cost PCs

 

[Emulex]

yes because netbooks encroach upon notebooks.

i see mad sales of netbooks costing more than low end notebooks.

 

[hennessy1]

I was trying to locate drivers for the asus netbook but it doesnt list the exact model number for it do I just look for the first portion of the model number?

 

[Emulex]

typical support from asus.

give them a call. they should have great support? yeh?

 

[hennessy1]

Now that I really am looking at the netbook. I actually looked one step up and gone to a small notebook. Only thing is a majority of them are asus and they don't clearly specify a max memory. I saw some hp notebooks that have 8gb max but I try to look on asus website but they only state installed memory. Is there a way to get the tech specs on it?

 

[Emulex]

xp home can only be sold with 1GB of ram. it is against the eula to install more ram.

the models with vista of course can have 100gb of ram since they are not XP home

 

[boomhower]

Against the EULA or against the OEM's agreement with Microsoft? I find it hard to believe that MS would attempt to limit what hardware can be installed on a person's system.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Emulex
xp home can only be sold with 1GB of ram. it is against the eula to install more ram.

the models with vista of course can have 100gb of ram since they are not XP home

It is against the OEM's agreement. Also, Vista 64-bit can handle 128GB RAM, except for Home Premium which can handle 16GB and Home Basic which can handle 8GB. 32-bit Vista of course can only handle 4GB RAM (minus a bit) just like XP 32-bit.

 

[Rabbits]

Good luck finding one at a decent price in your liking..

 

[hennessy1]

I did I am going to go with one of the hp mobile entertainment that are priced close to the netbook I was looking at. I figure since I am going to spend that much on a netbook just make it a full laptop with the uncramped keyboard. That was my biggest turn off with the netbooks I went and looked at.

 

[dud]

FWIW, I just bought an Asus 1000Ha and am selling my Dell M1330.

I don't need two computers and the Asus seems to meet my needs.

 

[hennessy1]

I appreciate the offer if it was intended that way but I am trying to steer clear of dell notebooks. Have seen plenty of people come to me with issues not to say hp is without but never been a fan of dell notebooks.

 

[hennessy1]

I guess what I am looking for is a step above the asus netbook I mentioned but lower then an "alienware" grade notebook. I have a desktop if I really want to game and number crunch or encode so no need to bring that all on the road with me but the netbook issue like I said for me is the keyboard. I looked at the current dells and I was not overly impressed with the hardware that it comes with for the price tag it comes with. The hardware on the hp's around the same price come with better hardware.

 

[Emulex]

i just use the netbook lay it on my chest or a pillow on the couch watching tv. i could walk 10 feet in each direction theres a quad-core desktop. works for that purpose