Time to pull the trigger on a netbook?

[Regk]

My wife and I are considering getting one of these puppies for traveling. The intent would be to have something to surf the web on, maybe do some youtube and light stuff on. I came across this deal http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...7e82fa927den02

I guess my question is, is it a deal? I know that the new AMD platform will launch in the next few months or so, would it be a wise move to wait and get on that bandwagon? I would love to have the extra power on tap as long as it's cheap!

 

[WoodButcher]

I would say yes w/ added ram and a 7200rpm or SS drive. I have the older model, the atom 270 w/ a 945 chipset. It isn't great for you tube or video but the model you're looking at has better graphics so I think you will be happy.
The faster drive and added memory are not essential but they will make a big enough difference to be worth while.

 

[maniac5999]

I'd stay away from anything with an Atom in it. AMD's latest Ultrathin platform is OK (and has the benefit that it can handle light games unlike anything intel has in the segment) and AMD's next generation is probably coming out in 3 months, and the rumors are that it's going to be awesome.

Going with an Intel CULV processor might be your best bet right now. The graphics are going to stink, but they get very good battery life, and have the kind of CPU muscle to handle most every-day tasks.

 

[Regk]

I would think intel Culv but I am super cheap too, including tax the above would be 260 CAD...

 

[Emulex]

no dude go get a nokia booklet 3g off ebay - they reign supreme over all netbooks for the money - think macbook but for windows (7) and atom processor. its cheap and extremely durable. you can snag one for $150-175 shipped and it has features that nobody can rival at that price point. seriously. best kept secret.

 

[Zap]

no dude go get a nokia booklet 3g off ebay - they reign supreme over all netbooks for the money - think macbook but for windows (7) and atom processor. its cheap and extremely durable. you can snag one for $150-175 shipped and it has features that nobody can rival at that price point. seriously. best kept secret.

I just looked, and they start at around $220 shipped for a used one. Still, not too bad a price because MSRP is $600 and it certainly is unique - usually in good ways.

GOOD:
Long battery life (8 hour)
Built-in 3G mobile wireless (caveat below)
Bluetooth
1280x720p screen better than 1024x800 of typical netbooks
HDMI output (though it can't handle high def playback)
Looks nicer and higher quality than the typical plastic netbooks due to use of aluminum and a glass cover over screen
Built-in GPS
Fanless - the aluminum chassis is the heatsink!

BAD:
Keyboard smaller than competing 10.1" netbooks
No onboard NIC
With all the nice aluminum, why the heck did they put a glossy insert on the lid? WTF were they thinking?
Likely the 3G is carrier locked to AT&T
Expensive
Still an Atom netbook
Uses slow 1.8" HDD
RAM is not upgradable because it is soldered to the motherboard!?!?!

I think they had to make too many tradeoffs to hold the 16!?!?! cell battery. It literally takes up HALF of the thing, leaving no room for stuff like 2.5" HDDs or SODIMM slots. The only real upgrade for the HDD is an Intel X18-M SSD. At least G2 versions are (I think) now available, but basically there are no intermediate levels of cost/performance. The 1.8" SATA HDD is a paltry 4200RPM, typical of that form factor.

Certainly an interesting netbook that breaks out of the mold.

 

[Emulex]

dude its a macbook knockoff. if you need one i can pick you one up. i've got a bunch. dcunlocker cracks that 3g modem in a few minutes for $26.

1gb of ram sucks - but it can do readyboost. i can play 720p on the screen.
the screen actually has anti-glare outdoors treatment which makes it sparkly indoors but readable outdoors.

its inspired by macbook air. the air has no onboard nic, (no 3g), no gps, slow 1.8" drive (yet its fast), 2gb of soldered ram (yet it is fast).

p.s. here's the trick. dude on amazon sells the power supply for $17. bid low on the no power supply units. get a technet copy of win7 starter, and apply the slic for the machine (google it). it's legal because it came with that o/s. you are just applying the same o/s and using the same key that it was shipped from the factory.

all drivers are on europe.nokia.com.

This is some good stuff (info) i'm giving you. pm if you need help finding one. i have a stack of them if you get desperate i'd proably let go at cost loaded with the o/s and drivers.

Just add sdhc for readyboost and go.

ipad has what 256meg of ram?

 

[Zap]

Thanks, but I've already had netbooks and good looking or not, I'm done with them for now. Besides, I have way too many other notebooks including two CULV models, a Hannspree with SU4100, 12.1", 3.4 pounds and a Dell Latitude 13 with SU7300, 13.3", 3.5 pounds. Sure, a bit heavier and a bit lesser battery life, but the performance is much more satisfactory than my overclocked Atom netbook with 2GB RAM.

 

[Emulex]

i agree. which is why my dell mini 9 sits idle nowadays (osx) and the macbook air's which can be bought for (alot) these days are far more fun. alot being like rev.c SSD with 2 years applecare remaining for $1200 or rev.b sata 1.8" 120gb for $700 with 1.5 years applecare remaining - both are far faster - and well i think its obvious that the AIR holds the title for best looking/most dope laptop to carry.