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Netbooks?

SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGamingRegistered User regular
edited April 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
So I just found out I get to study abroad in England this summer. This is super exciting, however my only PC is a big desktop tower with a giant widescreen monitor. Rather than lug this monstrosity overseas, I was looking at getting a smallish cheap netbook. My only real requirements are a decent amount of harddrive space, not linux, and a wireless ethernet ability along with an actual wireless port. I also hope to use this to help out in the DnD games I run around here, so that'd be nice too. I seriously doubt i'd need to do any gaming on it. Besides, i'm not looking for a bigass laptop, just a small travel friendly device.

Suggestions?

SniperGuy on

Posts

  • BDHigginsBDHiggins Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    My brother has an Acer Aspire something or other. Pretty handy and stuff.

    I took a step back and figured that this was a terrible first post. Then I decided to make it anyway.

    BDHiggins on
    That's so awesome.
  • ImprovoloneImprovolone Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Bah, Linux is so easy. Whaats your budget?

    Improvolone on
    Voice actor for hire. My time is free if your project is!
  • TomantaTomanta Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Most newer netbooks should fit your needs. I'd probably recommend the Asus 1000HE right now (which is general consensus over in the netbook thread in Moe's Tech Tavern).

    Good battery life, Windows XP, 160g hard drive, 10" screen, wireless and wired ethernet. I believe it only supports 2.5ghz Wireless N (in addition to B/G), not 5ghz N.

    I'm debating on picking one of these up myself, or waiting for the next models to come out...

    Tomanta on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Tomanta wrote: »
    Most newer netbooks should fit your needs. I'd probably recommend the Asus 1000HE right now (which is general consensus over in the netbook thread in Moe's Tech Tavern).

    Good battery life, Windows XP, 160g hard drive, 10" screen, wireless and wired ethernet. I believe it only supports 2.5ghz Wireless N (in addition to B/G), not 5ghz N.

    I'm debating on picking one of these up myself, or waiting for the next models to come out...

    I've got the 1000HE, absolutely love it. Get a 2gb stick of RAM with it (PC-5400?), easy to install. The netbook lasts forever and a day, great wireless pickup (got a wireless router from across a 6-lane street and down the road a ways while in Starbucks)

    It's easy to use, very convenient, comes with a nice case and cloth. Very high quality, awesome keyboard

    GPIA7R on
  • ThylacineThylacine Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    I've got the 1000HE, absolutely love it.

    It's better than the Aspire One. Bigger screen, better battery, can have 2 gb ram instead of 1.5.

    Thylacine on
  • Desert_Eagle25Desert_Eagle25 Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Thylacine wrote: »
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    I've got the 1000HE, absolutely love it.

    It's better than the Aspire One. Bigger screen, better battery, can have 2 gb ram instead of 1.5.

    What would you say about the 1000HE vs. the HP Mini 1000XP?

    I'm looking at both, and the HP looks really polished.

    Desert_Eagle25 on
  • ThylacineThylacine Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    I'm not sure really. I know about the Eee because I have one, and my friend has the Acer One and is jealous of mine ;-)

    As far at the HP goes, I'm not sure. My other laptops have been HPs and I've been pretty satisfied with them. Doesn't the HP only have a 6 gig hard drive, or something really small like that? That is easily remedied by having an external hard drive though.

    Thylacine on
  • Desert_Eagle25Desert_Eagle25 Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Thylacine wrote: »
    I'm not sure really. I know about the Eee because I have one, and my friend has the Acer One and is jealous of mine ;-)

    As far at the HP goes, I'm not sure. My other laptops have been HPs and I've been pretty satisfied with them. Doesn't the HP only have a 6 gig hard drive, or something really small like that? That is easily remedied by having an external hard drive though.

    # – Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz)
    # – 1GB DDR2 System Memory
    # – 16GB (SSD)
    # – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
    # – 8.9"
    # – 6 Cell Lithium Polymer Battery

    Desert_Eagle25 on
  • FiggyFiggy Fighter of the night man Champion of the sunRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Check out this thread... same question with lots of info.

    Figgy on
    XBL : Figment3 · SteamID : Figment
  • ReitenReiten Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Family member got a Lenovo S10 and loves it. Only thing not optimal is mic placement (too close to the fan).

    Reiten on
  • FatsFats Corvallis, ORRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Desert_Eagle25 wrote: »
    Thylacine wrote: »
    I'm not sure really. I know about the Eee because I have one, and my friend has the Acer One and is jealous of mine ;-)

    As far at the HP goes, I'm not sure. My other laptops have been HPs and I've been pretty satisfied with them. Doesn't the HP only have a 6 gig hard drive, or something really small like that? That is easily remedied by having an external hard drive though.

    # – Intel(R) Atom(TM) Processor N270 (1.60GHz)
    # – 1GB DDR2 System Memory
    # – 16GB (SSD)
    # – Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
    # – 8.9"
    # – 6 Cell Lithium Polymer Battery

    I guess it depends on your brand preference, but going through the HP configuration tool you end up spending quite a bit more to match the ASUS's features. I can't say enough good things about the 1000HE.

    Fats on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Reiten wrote: »
    Family member got a Lenovo S10 and loves it. Only thing not optimal is mic placement (too close to the fan).

    I considered the S10 before the 1000HE, because you could get it for VERY cheap on Lenovo's website using various discount codes.

    Ultimately went with 1000HE because of the better CPU and whatnot... but the S10 was appealing (only started at 512 ram though)

    GPIA7R on
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    The 1000HE looks pretty nice. I don't want linux because having never used it before, I just don't care to learn at the moment. One day i'm sure i'll try, but for now, blegh.

    My price range is about 350 max though, so the 1000HE is slightly more expensive than I was planning. We'll see.

    edit: and is it possible to get a dvd drive with these things?

    SniperGuy on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Wait around, then. The 1000HE goes to $350 often enough.

    GPIA7R on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    No DVD/CD drive in netbooks. You can pick up an external one if you absolutely need it. I have a 1000HE and love it, best choice at the moment. I got it from Amazon for $374 total (no tax, free shipping).

    DHS Odium on
    Wii U: DHS-Odium // Live: DHS Odium // PSN: DHSOdium // Steam: dhsykes // 3DS: 0318-6615-5294
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Or wait for this:

    http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/asus-eee-pc-100dn-comes-with-a-fingerprint-scanner.html

    Has DVD and whatnot.

    GPIA7R on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    Or wait for this:

    http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/asus-eee-pc-100dn-comes-with-a-fingerprint-scanner.html

    Has DVD and whatnot.

    Wait for what, something more expensive and further out of his price range?

    DHS Odium on
    Wii U: DHS-Odium // Live: DHS Odium // PSN: DHSOdium // Steam: dhsykes // 3DS: 0318-6615-5294
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    DHS Odium wrote: »
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    Or wait for this:

    http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/asus-eee-pc-100dn-comes-with-a-fingerprint-scanner.html

    Has DVD and whatnot.

    Wait for what, something more expensive and further out of his price range?

    Absolutely.



    Anyway, keep an eye on the 1000HE. I'm following the prices for a friend that wants one after seeing mine, so best of luck.

    GPIA7R on
  • ImprovoloneImprovolone Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    The 1000HE looks pretty nice. I don't want linux because having never used it before, I just don't care to learn at the moment. One day i'm sure i'll try, but for now, blegh.

    I had never used Linux before I got my Eee. Ubuntu is so easy if you are familiar at all with Windows or Mac environments, you'll be fine.

    Improvolone on
    Voice actor for hire. My time is free if your project is!
  • DogDog Registered User, Administrator, Vanilla Staff admin
    edited April 2009
    I have an Asus 1000HE. I haven't touched my desktop since the EEE arrived in the mail almost 2 months ago.

    Unknown User on
  • SniperGuySniperGuy SniperGuyGaming Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Wait, a 2 gig stick of Ram for a laptop is twenty bucks?

    SniperGuy on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    Wait, a 2 gig stick of Ram for a laptop is twenty bucks?

    You can get it for $12-15 pretty easilly. The 1000HE accepts a slightly faster RAM, there's a stick of PC5400 out there somewhere (rather than the typical netbook 5300)



    Here it is
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227236

    Buy that.

    GPIA7R on
  • Desert_Eagle25Desert_Eagle25 Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    Wait, a 2 gig stick of Ram for a laptop is twenty bucks?

    You can get it for $12-15 pretty easilly. The 1000HE accepts a slightly faster RAM, there's a stick of PC5400 out there somewhere (rather than the typical netbook 5300)



    Here it is
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227236

    Buy that.

    Why not get PC 6400 RAM? Is it too fast for netbooks?

    Desert_Eagle25 on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Desert_Eagle25 wrote: »
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    Wait, a 2 gig stick of Ram for a laptop is twenty bucks?

    You can get it for $12-15 pretty easilly. The 1000HE accepts a slightly faster RAM, there's a stick of PC5400 out there somewhere (rather than the typical netbook 5300)



    Here it is
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227236

    Buy that.

    Why not get PC 6400 RAM? Is it too fast for netbooks?


    Right, Netbooks (currently) support PC5300/5400, and only up to 2gb (some less)

    Also, looks like ZipZoomFly has the Eee 1000HA for only $300 today.... That's actually REALLY nice. The 1000HA is also migrating to the awesome chiclet keyboard, apparently.

    http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/deal-of-the-day-eee-pc-1000ha-for-300-after-rebate.html

    GPIA7R on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Wrong, depends on the netbook. One of the improvements on the 1000HE is that is uses and supports DDR2 PC2-6400. Go with that if you pick up the 1000HE.

    DHS Odium on
    Wii U: DHS-Odium // Live: DHS Odium // PSN: DHSOdium // Steam: dhsykes // 3DS: 0318-6615-5294
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Eh, it's only been reccomended by Crucial, and even then it's had very flaky performance... often never clocking properly.

    Buy higher speeds at your own risk. If I saw some solid evidence that it worked every time, I'd be the first to get out there and buy some.

    GPIA7R on
  • Desert_Eagle25Desert_Eagle25 Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    Desert_Eagle25 wrote: »
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    SniperGuy wrote: »
    Wait, a 2 gig stick of Ram for a laptop is twenty bucks?

    You can get it for $12-15 pretty easilly. The 1000HE accepts a slightly faster RAM, there's a stick of PC5400 out there somewhere (rather than the typical netbook 5300)



    Here it is
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227236

    Buy that.

    Why not get PC 6400 RAM? Is it too fast for netbooks?


    Right, Netbooks (currently) support PC5300/5400, and only up to 2gb (some less)

    Also, looks like ZipZoomFly has the Eee 1000HA for only $300 today.... That's actually REALLY nice. The 1000HA is also migrating to the awesome chiclet keyboard, apparently.

    http://www.liliputing.com/2009/04/deal-of-the-day-eee-pc-1000ha-for-300-after-rebate.html

    That's what I thought too, until I looked at the RAM's reviews...
    Pros: Installed without problem in my new Asus EEE 1000HE. BIOS recognized it on the next boot. Ran fine with standard Windows XP Home.

    Desert_Eagle25 on
  • GPIA7RGPIA7R Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Well it's not a bad price, might be worth checking out, then.

    the issue I hear most, though, is even though the RAM works, it doesn't clock correctly on some occasions.

    GPIA7R on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Hmm, interesting. I have 6400 in my 1000HE. Haven't noticed a problem, though I'm not sure how to check the clock speed. Didn't noticed it at boot or in BIOS. And CPU-Z has that information blank. Is there another program I can use?

    DHS Odium on
    Wii U: DHS-Odium // Live: DHS Odium // PSN: DHSOdium // Steam: dhsykes // 3DS: 0318-6615-5294
  • vonPoonBurGervonPoonBurGer Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    GPIA7R wrote: »
    Also, looks like ZipZoomFly has the Eee 1000HA for only $300 today.... That's actually REALLY nice.
    Right, but that's the price after a mail-in rebate. NOT so nice. I'd expect to wait quite a while for that rebate, and there's a good chance it gets "lost" and you never receive it. I generally recommend avoiding any "deal" that's tied to a mail-in rebate, they're often not worth the time, effort and hassle involved in claiming them.

    Edit: Unless it's a good deal without the MIR, in which case the chance of an extra rebate is just icing.

    Also Edit: Regarding RAM speeds, most RAM has been backwards-compatible since the days of PC-100. A PC-133 stick will happily run at PC-100 speeds, PC6400 (DDR2-800) will run at PC5300 (DDR2-667), etc. The labeling on the RAM is just the maximum speed it's rated to run at, meaning it should be perfectly capable of running at lower settings. The BIOS is responsible for telling the RAM what speeds, voltages and timings to run at, so issues with a particular stick of RAM are more about incompatibility between the stick and the BIOS.

    vonPoonBurGer on
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  • illigillig Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    all i can say is TRY A NETBOOK BEFORE BUYING!

    i have normal sized human hands, and my GF's ASUS EEE PC 900 basically requires me to type with two fingers... full hand typing is impossible

    i'd hate to write a paper on that thing

    illig on
  • ImprovoloneImprovolone Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    And I've written a 14 page paper without an external keyboard on my 901 with no real issues.
    Or just get an external keyboard.

    Improvolone on
    Voice actor for hire. My time is free if your project is!
  • DogDog Registered User, Administrator, Vanilla Staff admin
    edited April 2009
    Yeah I have no problems with the 1000HE, the keyboard layout is fantastic except for the right shift, but I've more than become used to it.

    Unknown User on
  • DVGDVG No. 1 Honor Student Nether Institute, Evil AcademyRegistered User regular
    edited April 2009
    I have the Dell Mini 9 with OS X installed on it. I <3 it. I got it for $280 off Dell Outlet with a 20% off coupon I got on eBay.

    The only complain I have with it is the keyboard is a little weird, but I got used to it easily enough.

    DVG on
    Diablo 3 - DVG#1857
  • Just_Bri_ThanksJust_Bri_Thanks Seething with rage from a handbasket.Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2009
    I have normal hands too and I only have problems with the right shift key. I keep missing it.

    Just_Bri_Thanks on
    ...and when you are done with that; take a folding
    chair to Creation and then suplex the Void.
  • jasonlesterjasonlester Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Samsung NC10.

    Do it.

    jasonlester on
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