Netbooks

[Koharski]

[This isn't Koharski, it's his girlfriend]

I am trying to get a netbook for my boyfriend, because he just built a new computer and his current laptop is pretty much dead, and, although I've listened to him go on about computers and such, I am still woefully unaware of what is good and what is not. So he suggested that I use his account on this site and ask you guys, so hopefully you can help me pick him something out that isn't garbage.

I've looked at:

The Acer Aspire One, but he doesn't particularly like Acer, his current laptop is Acer, and as I said, it's down for the count. And even if I got him an Acer, you can get a Linux model and an XP model. Which would he prefer?

HP Mini 10.2" Intel Atom N270 1.60GHz Netbook (1035NR) [i looked at one that was 8.9" too]
I've read reviews on this, but it's a bit more then I wanted to spend and I keep finding ones that are somewhat different in title, cost less or more, and I can't tell the difference apart.

LG 10" Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz Netbook (X110)
I liked how this one looks, but I can't find any reviews, and again, my knowledge of all things electronic make it hard to know if this is any good.

I looked at a few others, like a Samsung model, but I can't get some of them in Canada in time. I want to buy one tomorrow, not wait weeks for shipping.

So if you can tell me out of those three, since availability where I'm at for those is good, which is better, or prefered, or really anything to help me choose, I would really appreciate it. If you have a suggestion for something better, let me know too, I can still look around a bit. My price range is restricted to under $600, so no full size laptops, besides, he really only needs a netbook for traveling!
Thanks everyone!
-The girlfriend.

 

[mpilchfamily]

First of all i would suggest curbing the language. Editing the post would be a good idea.

Next we need to know what he will be using the Netbook for. Some netbooks are more powerful then others and his needs may require more then a netbook. Most nebooks measure between 6" and 10" wide so it may be difficult for some people with large hands to use. Also know what he would use it for will determin the best OS as well.

 

[Koharski]

I am capable of understanding a lot of spec information, my main problem lies in the fact that many sites lay out the information differently and thats where I start to get confused, for example I have no clue what UMA stands for? And I already looked into keyboard size, the Lg has 82 keys, apparently 93% where as the HP has 92%, offhand I can't remember what the Acer has, I think it has 84 keys. I narrowed down to those three based on keyboard usability, price, availability in this country, and I did a direct comparison between the LG and the HP and they are quite similar. Also, the LG netbook is based of the MSI Wind model, which according to Koharski is pretty good, except he didn't like the keyboard size for the MSI wind, which LG changed.

The very idea of a netbook to me is for good battery, the LG, Acer and HP all have three cell batteries, around 2.5 hrs depending on your doing exactly. I liked the samsung model of netbook because it has a 6 cell battery, but as I said, its hard to get in Canada, I would have to order it, and I don't really feel like ordering it.

It would be used mostly during traveling, so durability is a must, as thats why his current laptop is so broken down. Web browsing mostly I think, but the more power the better if he can do other things he will. He's a major computer user, and understands this stuff and from what I could get out of him without letting him know what I was getting he didn't mind the Acer, thought that it could hold up well, but overall would prefer something a bit better. He thought the HP could be good, liked that it had nearly a full size set of keys, he didn't like the price for it as a netbook, said he would rather go and spend a bit more to get a full size if he was going to pay that much. But thats not his problem, as it's my gift . He hasn't seen the LG so no opinion. I know Acer can have really shoddy work, I've never owened an HP but I've heard its good, not the best, but good, and I didn't think LG made laptops until I started looking around. I just want the best bang for my buck, I want it to last, have sufficient power to surf the web most places, minimum 2.5 hr battery life, preferably more, but from what I've seen most only have 3 cell batteries, and do other small tasks you would require while traveling. This is NOT going to be his main computer, as he did just build a nice new PC, so it doesn't need to, for example, edit photos [he's a photograper], I don't know from my readings if any of these could do this, if they could I would want that one.
He knows how to use Linux, but I think he would prefer XP.

 

[JackMDS]

Giving your level of experience with Notebooks you would be much better off paying a visit to few Megastores that have Laptops on display.

You can then buy online if you can get a better price. However actually seeing and playing with the Laptop at the MegastStores would give you a better understanding of the device.

Office Depot, as well as similar stores have this weekend a big selection and reduces prices on many laptop including HP devices.

 

[Koharski]

The only thing about trying them in the store if we live in a really small town and only one store carries any netbooks, and thats the Acer. It was passable for him to type on, so I imagine it would be even better on the other two since they apparently have larger keyboards, being a touristy town though, the price was raised to $479 for the Acer, which seems a bit much. I wasn't going to buy online, I was going to ask a friend in Calgary to pick up the one I choose since they're coming to visit this weekend. Any other suggestions? If he hates the model I pick, I don't really have a problem having it returned and then he can pick what he wants, I just want to try my best to pick something in the hopes it will be proficient.
Thanks

 

[SickBeast]

IMO now is not the time to buy a netbook.

Dual-core CPUs, a better chipset that can play games and transcode video, a new CPU from AMD, and better battery life will all be available within the next few months.

If you absolutely need one right now, the Samsung NC-10 is the best netbook on the market, hands down.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
IMO now is not the time to buy a netbook.

+1

Most netbooks use the ancient 945gc chipset which is missing many features needed today that consumes way more power than desireable in a netbook.

nVidia is releasing a new chipset called Ion to work with the Atom processor that looks great but isn't ready quite yet.

I don't know about pricing in Canada but around here I have seen great deals on laptops putting them around $400 out-the-door for much more performance than a typical netbook.

 

[JackMDS]

Unless there is a specific public announcement that a comparably priced better Device is going to be released into the Market in few weeks there is No: "IMO now is not the time to buy a Notebook".

Otherwise, by the time that the New Rumored device comes out there is always a one more New Rumored device in the Horizon. Thus there is Never a good time to get anything.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: Koharski
[This isn't Koharski, it's his girlfriend]

pics?

 

[Koharski]

Sonic Ice: Pics? Plain and simple, jackass.
Again, the Samsung netbook isn't available in Canada.
He doesn't WANT a full size laptop. He wants a netbook; because they are NOT laptops. They have a different purpose. He doesn't want or need a gaming laptop. So what does that even have to do with my topic question? Besides, laptops break down with lots of travel and you don't really need a full size laptop for example, on a bus.

Thats the thing about computer people, there is ALWAYS something bigger and better out there or coming out, but does that bigger and better meet your purposes or is it just overindulgence?
Unless someone actually has some worth while advice about the question posted, please don't bother.

I've decided against the HP, and the Acer, and added the Lenovo IdeaPad S10.

So:
LG X110
or
Lenovo IdeaPad S10

It's one or the other, they meet the needs.

 

[abaez]

Yikes - tone it down You're talking to a bunch of geeks who are talking to a mystical entity (female that's somewhat of a techie).

Anyway, I've never even heard of the LG, so I would go for the Lenovo since the regular laptops have a good rep durability-wise.

If you can guy the NC10 from ebay or something I would. It definitely is the best (7 hour battery life helps too).

Most of the netbook kb's will be the same size so no worries about that. I really like the HP 10 incher though, but it's slightly more expensive (but much more sexier than all the others).

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: abaez
Yikes - tone it down You're talking to a bunch of geeks who are talking to a mystical entity (female that's somewhat of a techie).

This Not an excuse the behave like "loosers".

Originally posted by: abaez
Anyway, I've never even heard of the LG.

LG, AKA Lucky Goldstar is a known Korean Electronic Giant.

In the USA it is more known by their Consumers Appliances.

http://us.lge.com/index.jhtml

http://www.i-tech.com.au/produ...ore_2_Duo_T7500_2.aspx

 

[Idcurrie]

I had an aspire one and returned it quickly.

Like most other Acer notebooks, the fan was TRASH. It would likely be dead in a year or grinding badly. It was loud and annoying....all the time. The aspire one fan forum has created a utility that will shut it off completely but with no adequate internal cooling solution, this will only cause the netbook to burn up. The utility is also amateur and fills the event log with errors ever THREE SECONDS.

The Dell Mini 9 is what I have now and it's great. Just make sure to get the 16GB STEC drive. It will have some poor write performance though and it's true that overall system performance will suffer compared to a hard drive. Can't beat the boot time though (literally.)

What it has going for it is its incredible design. It looks awesome and once you get used to it and handle another netbook, they all look like toys. It's smaller and lighter than the competition (a little), and it has a 4 cell battery instead of the 3 cell in the competition. Yes, you can get 6 cells for those, but they're bulky, heavy, and ugly.

Also, the Dell is COMPLETELY silent as it has a huge heatsink under the keyboard and NO FAN in the unit at all. It's got no moving parts and operates at 0dB.

As a coup de gras, it does not have a power brick like other netbooks with a lead coming from each end. Instead, it has a tiny little walwart which goes sideways from the outlet like a cell phone power adapter.

The trackpad is great and has the buttons underneat. Some of the keyboard buttons leave something to be desired. The Acer does have a better keyboard but that's the only advantage to it.

The Dell has by far the best hardware design bar none.

 

[abaez]

You may want to look into the dell's battery. I read a recent report about it shipping with a lower capacity battery (maybe consumerist?).

JackMDS - I have heard of LG, but not their netbook

 

[Idcurrie]

Originally posted by: abaez
You may want to look into the dell's battery. I read a recent report about it shipping with a lower capacity battery (maybe consumerist?).

JackMDS - I have heard of LG, but not their netbook

That was misinformation. That originator of that 'story' later stated that his own information was false. The software he was using to read the capacity of the battery was misreporting. When he actually ran battery life tests, the battery that was reporting the lower capacity actually lasted longer than the battery reporting the full capacity.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: abaez
JackMDS - I have heard of LG, but not their netbook

http://www.notebookreview.com/...ID=4296&review=LG+P300

Pros

* High build quality
* Excellent system and gaming performance
* Bright and Vibrant LCD

Cons

* Not currently for sale in the USA
* Runs hot while gaming