Laptop or Netbook?

Eriic

I can't decide if I want a shitty laptop or a pro netbook. I would almost definitely be running Ubuntu on either one. I would definitely be playing music on it and browsing the web and whatnot. Being able to watch movies would be nice (mostly x264 stuff, ranging from 1gb to like 5gb 720p encodes), but it's not a deal-breaker. I have never owned a laptop, so I am pretty much completely uneducated on the subject. I don't fully understand the limitations of what netbooks and low-end laptops can do. I would be willing to spend around $400 on a netbook. I am under the impression that any laptop I can get for a comparable price would be a piece of shit. Having a really small resolution might bug me, as I'm used to my desktop which has two monitors at 1920x1200 and 1280x1024, though I obviously wouldn't do the same kind of multitasking that I would on a desktop. I would absolutely need to be able to comfortably run Firefox, irssi, and a music player simultaneously. Good battery life is also a plus. :rotate:

Also, specific examples of good laptops and/or netbooks would be nice. The Samsung NC10 and EeePC 1000HE look pretty sexy to me, but when it comes to laptops i have no fucking idea.

edit: I also really fucking hate glare on a screen. My mom's Gateway laptop has a glossy screen and I can't see shit when I try to use it in the sunlight.

Dog

Prior to switching to my netbook, I was all about my dual monitor beefed up gaming rig. Since getting my 1000HE at the end of february, I can count the number of times I've used my desktop on one hand.

It can do everything you're looking for and its less than $400, and there's no glossy screen

Houndx

Maybe consider something in between? The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 or one of these. I was able to pick up the HP from Staples for just over $500 after tax and it's a very cool little machine.

edit: The HP price required a bitchin coupon(watch out on deal sites) and the Dell can be had under $400 at their outlet(also watch deal sites for coupons)

Improvolone

Hop into Best Buy and get some hands on time with the Eee line. See if the keyboard and screen will do.

Eriic

Got an EeePC 1000HD today. It's only a 900mhz celeron and 4 cell battery, but it does have a 10" screen. Going to install Ubuntu Netbook Remix on it later.

DVG

Chances are the keyboard is most likely to be a dealbreaker when it comes to a netbook, try and get some hands on time with one to make your decision.

That being said, the Mini 9 is pretty rad, I have OS X on mine and I love it.