Thinking on getting a netbook and have questions?

[ncage]

Hey guys, almost pulled the trigger on a Kindle 2 tonight. After doing research i decided against it. I read mostly technical books. Mostly programming but some architectural books also. I read that source code just looks horrible on the kindle in a lot of cases which makes it a no go for me.

I use my notebook now but its kind of a hassle to carry around maneuver.

I wouldn't even consider an IPad just not paying $500 or an eReader and i know it can do more but still. So that lead me down the path to maybe consider getting a netbook. The problem is ive never seen one in use. I'll probably put ubuntu on it but at this time i don't know which version i'll use: full version or netbook edition. Is the performance of either version of ubuntu really good on a netbook?

While the factor is not as convent as a ipad its a heck of a lot easier to swallow price wise and a lot easier to probably use than my full size labtop. It also might help kick start some work ive meant to do on the linux side: Ruby on Rails, Python, MongoDB, CouchDB, ect... So netbook definitely has its advantages. One of the big disadvantages i can see at this point is ive haven't read people having much luck with getting kindle software on ubuntu/linux. Apparently even WINE has problem with the kindle software (probably DRM Related).

I'm probably going to get an asus netbook if i get one because ive heard good things about them.

Anyways any help / suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks,
Ncage

MOD EDIT: Moved to a more appropriate forum. - Zap

 

[MisterDonut]

Keep in mind that a netbook can't be used for more than Word + Internet...

If you want something more on-the-go, you can check out the UL series from ASUS or anything with Optimus tech really...@ 14'', seems decently portable.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'm confused... do you want a computer (i.e. do you want to read AND write on your computer) or do you want an eReader (do you just want to read things)? If all you want to do is read books and magazines, get an eReader like the Kindle. If you want to do any editing at all, even note taking, then get a computer. The part that throws me for a loop is your mention of source code - I don't know anyone that strictly reads source code without doing some kind of programming / debugging (which requires a full-blown computer).

Anyway, look at the ASUS UL20A. It's ~12", 1366x768 screen, thin and light. If you're lucky, you can find one in the $500-600 ballpark. It's quite a bit more expensive than a netbook, but also significantly more capable. It still won't play 3D games (unless it's old; Warcraft III runs fine on my UL30A), but it can play HD movies and multitask without a hitch - you can't say that about most netbooks. I also recommend the ASUS UL series because the build quality and keyboard are quite good; the Acer Timeline (original) series is also an option, but I've heard the keyboard is mushy and the overall build quality is mediocre.

 

[ncage]

I'm confused... do you want a computer (i.e. do you want to read AND write on your computer) or do you want an eReader (do you just want to read things)? If all you want to do is read books and magazines, get an eReader like the Kindle. If you want to do any editing at all, even note taking, then get a computer. The part that throws me for a loop is your mention of source code - I don't know anyone that strictly reads source code without doing some kind of programming / debugging (which requires a full-blown computer).

Primarily my main purpose is to be able to consume electronically formatted books. I said in original post that i mostly read programming/architecture type books (which have source code in them). I don't read traditional books. Which i believe leaves a couple options: Kindle, Nook, and the IPAD. Have heard the Kindle/Nook are horrible for reading technical books because they will screw up the formatting of say source code or anything else like that. That leaves the IPad which would probably be good for the purpose but the $500+ cost of an ipad is to expensive for its purpose i think. Thats why i'm leaning towards a netbook.

Anyway, look at the ASUS UL20A. It's ~12", 1366x768 screen, thin and light. If you're lucky, you can find one in the $500-600 ballpark. It's quite a bit more expensive than a netbook, but also significantly more capable. It still won't play 3D games (unless it's old; Warcraft III runs fine on my UL30A), but it can play HD movies and multitask without a hitch - you can't say that about most netbooks. I also recommend the ASUS UL series because the build quality and keyboard are quite good; the Acer Timeline (original) series is also an option, but I've heard the keyboard is mushy and the overall build quality is mediocre.

Thats more than i really want to spend. Little on the expensive end when you talking about trying to get something thats portable to read books especially considering i already have a Lenovo labtop which i'm using for my book reader at the moment but not to portable. What i was also asking is how well netbooks run linux/ubuntu? I heard go with the full version rather than the netbook edition unless you have a touch screen. I've watched some youtube videos and it seems to run remarkably well but i wanted someone with direct experience since i don't know anyone with a netbook. I won't be playing 3D games. Playing HighDef video would maybe be cool but its not that important to me (for this device at least). If i ended going with a netbook then i also could do some things ive been itching to do (since i don't have any computers that run linux except for Virtual Machines). Like maybe play with Python/RubyOnRails/MongoDB/CouchDB/ect. Nothing in that list takes much horsepower especially considering i will be using VIM.