Help me make a netbook choice?

[Bateluer]

There are three basic models I'm looking at, the MSI U135, Asus 1001P, and Aspire AS1410. The U135 and 1001P are pretty standard Intel Atom based netbooks, N450s, 1GB of RAM, 160GB, 1024x600, 10in screens. They are both just under 300 dollars in price, but would require a RAM upgrade. 2GB DDR2-667 sticks at a glance were between 40 and 50 dollars, bringing the total for one of these models to around 350 dollars.

However, the last Atom netbook I bought I ended up selling because its performance was insufficient and the screen of my Asus 904HA was too small at 9in.

I looked around at some of the 11.6in models, but I'm not willing to get an Atom Z520 model. Enter the Aspire AS1410. Its an 11.6in netbook with 2GB of RAM, which I can find with either the Celeron SU2300 or Core 2 Solo U3500. Both of which easily outstrip any of the Atom models. The N450 models boast excellent battery life, but the Acer model is no slouch in battery life either. At a glance, the Aspire AS1410 ranges from around 399 to 450, depending on the merchant. But it doesn't require a RAM upgrade.

Discuss.

 

[alyarb]

you're going to spend about ~400 if you want more performance than atom.

this one is $390 and has an upgraded hard drive.
http://www.staples.com/Acer-Aspire-O...duct-nr_851784

 

[Bateluer]

you're going to spend about ~400 if you want more performance than atom.

this one is $390 and has an upgraded hard drive.
http://www.staples.com/Acer-Aspire-O...duct-nr_851784

Not too shabby. Amazon has the blue model for around 399 as well, but higher shipping costs. I know the dual core SU2300 and SU3500 will run rings around any Atom based device.

The OS doesn't mean as much to me, I intend to wipe and install Linux after a brief(10min) testing period.

 

[Bateluer]

Is Acer phasing out the AS1410? Seems to be relatively difficult to find at a reasonable price. At 400 to 430, its not bad. Most places seem to be carrying it at 450 to 480. Some of the reviews I've read state its MSRP as 399.

 

[cdmccool]

Consider the Toshiba T115D-S1125.

$438 from tigerdirect.com after Bing cashback.

 

[Bateluer]

Consider the Toshiba T115D-S1125.

$438 from tigerdirect.com after Bing cashback.

Looks like a nice system, little pricier than I was looking for though. How's the Bing Cashback work?

 

[Zap]

However, the last Atom netbook I bought I ended up selling because its performance was insufficient and the screen of my Asus 904HA was too small at 9in.

11.X" screen would be a definate upgrade to a 9"/10" netbook while retaining the netbook portability.

For performance, I'd recommend paying a bit more for a dual core Intel such as the Pentium SU4100, or Core 2 Duo SU7300/SU9300/SU9400. The Pentium SU4100 is a dual core (unlike the SU2700) and has 2MB cache while the Core 2 Duo SU-series seem to have 3MB cache but otherwise all seem to be the same Core 2 Duo design.

I have a netbook (MSI Wind) and while I do find myself using it more often than my notebook (Gateway 15.4") I also find myself wishing for a slightly larger/higher res screen and a bit more CPU power. One of these days I'm going to sell the netbook and get one of the 11.6"-13.3" thin/light notebooks.

Is Acer phasing out the AS1410? Seems to be relatively difficult to find at a reasonable price. At 400 to 430, its not bad. Most places seem to be carrying it at 450 to 480. Some of the reviews I've read state its MSRP as 399.

I've wondered about that. It seems as if the whole "Timeline" series is fading out of the market because there used to be multiple models all over the place.

 

[Bateluer]

11.X" screen would be a definate upgrade to a 9"/10" netbook while retaining the netbook portability.

For performance, I'd recommend paying a bit more for a dual core Intel such as the Pentium SU4100, or Core 2 Duo SU7300/SU9300/SU9400. The Pentium SU4100 is a dual core (unlike the SU2700) and has 2MB cache while the Core 2 Duo SU-series
seem to have 3MB cache but otherwise all seem to be the same Core 2 Duo design.

This is what I would prefer as well, models seem few and far between though, and often priced too high. I've often wondered why we don't see any of the Intel ULV chips in any of the nettop designs, seems like they'd be a natural fit and offer substantial performance over the current Atom designs.

I've wondered about that. It seems as if the whole "Timeline" series is fading out of the market because there used to be multiple models all over the place.

Which is a shame, the Timeline models seem pretty well regarded.

 

[cdmccool]

Looks like a nice system, little pricier than I was looking for though. How's the Bing Cashback work?

It's pretty simple. Sign up for an account with Bing, search for tigerdirect on bing.com/cashback, follow link to tigerdirect for 12.3% cashback, get money back in 30-60 days after purchase. You can have them mail you a check or have it deposited into your Paypal account.