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Who would like to discuss Netbooks
Silent Tristero
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I'm looking at Netbooks, and they're pretty confusing right now. I have a nice Desktop, so I wanted to grab a highly-portable machine - initially, gaming was out of the question, but then I discovered Nvidia ION.
Enter the Asus 1201N -
This thing is capable of running Starcraft II, COD4 and so forth. It's currently residing at around £410.
I was pretty much set on this thing; the price mark meant that even a 15" Laptop wouldn't do much more for the same money, and obviously be bigger and heavier. Concerns are that is is packaged with 32-bit W7, yet has the room for 4GB of RAM; an OS upgrade could be rather expensive.
At this point, the Asus 1215N was announced - it's available for pre-order in the UK with Amazon listing it as a Nov 13th release.
It packs ION2, and a newer dual core processor in the shape of an Intel N525, and is available for virtually the same price. Seemed like an obvious choice; at the end of the year I'd pick up a 1215N.
The problem is that reports are suggesting that certain hardware architecture means that ION2 is potentially worse than ION, in some areas.
So factor in this general confusion, along with competitors like the Dell 3101z (Dual core Athlon, ATi 4225 - a rival to ION), and I have no idea what I want, now. Gaming was never on my mind when thinking about a Netbook, but £400 is a good price for a portable machine capable of some lighter titles, as well as high-quality video playback and HDMI output.
I though perhaps this thread could serve as a starting point for anyone else considering such a purchase; however I can't really provide any insight or queries regarding more standard Netbook hardware. I saw ION and went straight in.
I'm having trouble finding out how close the ATi 4225 comes to ION/ION2, and what machines are on the horizon. There seems to be a huge variety of Netbooks with subtle differences, and I didn't want to pick a dud.
Enter the Asus 1201N -
This thing is capable of running Starcraft II, COD4 and so forth. It's currently residing at around £410.
I was pretty much set on this thing; the price mark meant that even a 15" Laptop wouldn't do much more for the same money, and obviously be bigger and heavier. Concerns are that is is packaged with 32-bit W7, yet has the room for 4GB of RAM; an OS upgrade could be rather expensive.
At this point, the Asus 1215N was announced - it's available for pre-order in the UK with Amazon listing it as a Nov 13th release.
It packs ION2, and a newer dual core processor in the shape of an Intel N525, and is available for virtually the same price. Seemed like an obvious choice; at the end of the year I'd pick up a 1215N.
The problem is that reports are suggesting that certain hardware architecture means that ION2 is potentially worse than ION, in some areas.
So factor in this general confusion, along with competitors like the Dell 3101z (Dual core Athlon, ATi 4225 - a rival to ION), and I have no idea what I want, now. Gaming was never on my mind when thinking about a Netbook, but £400 is a good price for a portable machine capable of some lighter titles, as well as high-quality video playback and HDMI output.
I though perhaps this thread could serve as a starting point for anyone else considering such a purchase; however I can't really provide any insight or queries regarding more standard Netbook hardware. I saw ION and went straight in.
I'm having trouble finding out how close the ATi 4225 comes to ION/ION2, and what machines are on the horizon. There seems to be a huge variety of Netbooks with subtle differences, and I didn't want to pick a dud.
Silent Tristero on
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then came the 9" models.
then there was 10"ers.
Now 12" is considered a netbook?
This genre is confusing the hell out of me now. Wouldn't that just be an ultra portable Laptop? The PC equivalent of the Macbook Air, though this time with a more reasonable price?
On topic, I'm waiting to see what the Dell Inspiron Mini Duo will have in it, and more importantly what it will cost, before I look at purchasing a new netbook. Something about a convertible Netbook / Tablet really speaks to my need for weird tech. I was looking really hard at a Samsung N150 a while back to replace my aging ASUS 701/4G. I know that it's out of date now, but all I really needed was something to toss into my work bag so I could play Torchlight / Diablo 2 on break.
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The ION 2 gets 10-15fps on Farcry 2 on medium/high, taken fromhere. Not the most reliable of sources, but that's what I found.
I'd probably pick up the 4225.
Don't see battery life being a major issue; I'm used to a phone that needs charging every night, and my ex-laptop would run for maybe 2 hours without power.
That's encouraging to hear about the 1215N, I'll have to decide between that and a Dell M101z I think. Both are exactly the same price...
New AMD APU benchmarks are interesting, but I think I'd be satisfied with the level of performance offered by the current models in the £400 range. It will only need to provide 'emergency gaming'; if I get stuck visiting family or whatever.
I don't know what the classification is, but the 11-12" form factor feels just about right for some proper typing, and allows me to carry it around a lot easier.
Edit: Ironically, that Toshiba T235D-S1345 looks superb, but it doesn't seem to be available in the UK...
Other than that, I can say I'm still totally in love with my 11" Eee (older model, N270 based). These things are so good for surfing in bed. Also, I can say with a straight face that I actually wrote 70% of my master's thesis on it, using Word 2007 with the ribbon minimized (in bed
Anecdotally, I considered getting an iPad for casual surfing in bed, but I don't really see how it'd be better. I have no idea how I'd prop it up (holding it up for hours doesn't really appeal to me), and scrolling around dragging my finger on the screen seems kinda weak when I can just lay back and move my index finger in a gentle circle over my trackpad.
So, um, yay netbooks?
Confined to a tiny spit of sand, unable to escape,
But tonight, it's heavy stuff.
This is true, but I think I'd take the better quality video playback and HDMI capabilities over the additional battery life. I just don't see myself being anywhere for over 5 hours without mains access.
That said, there is the temptation to drop down a price bracket or 2; there's a few ION models for £300, or a single-core version of the M101z. But I don't want single core, right? Although, it ranks 305th here, which is above most Atoms.
I'm just not prepared to go into tablet/alternative OS territories. I want a keyboard, and I want games and other applications for Windows. A tablet and a netbook, I wouldn't turn down...
Thoughts? I really want to see some reviews.
I'm waiting on reviews for this one as well. It bothers me that it's a Dell. I've seen a few broken on delivery, and the tech support people wouldn't accept a return... But they were full sized laptops. I'm really excited about the Dual Core N550 Atom in it. Funny stab on the listing at store.microsoft.com: "Provides support for Flash Video, unlike most other devices in its class" http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Dell-Inspiron-Duo-10-1-Inch-Convertible-Netbook/product/D8E67416
I was wondering if you've tried Fallout: New Vegas on it and how it runs.
Full-screen video, on the other hand, is AMAZING. Out of the box, not so much, but there's a neat little program you can install (the name escapes me now) that lets you use the GFX card to help decode video. (It's CUDA-compliant!) For a while, my netbook was the single best video-playing option in the house, because it could play full 1080p video with nary a skip or stutter, and none of the high-end machines in the house could yet defeat the test clip my room-mate kept to try out any new setups.
Battery life is for quite a few hours, even when watching video and such. I dunno if you'd want it for 8-hour stints, but I can go hang out in a coffee shop for a while without worrying about scaling it down to conserve power, and let's be honest, we're generally plugs most of the dang time. I am, at least.
I haven't tried upgrading it yet, though. I'm still on the stock 2GB RAM, which I really ought to upgrade sooner than later. I occasionally use it as my backup development box when I'm on the road, and I run my IDE, several browsers, a full LAMP stack, and all kinds of other assorted toys on there while doing so. It still runs, and again, it's useable, but I wouldn't call it speedy.
For a netbook: 5/5 stars. There's an INCREDIBLE amount of power in this tiny little clamshell.
For a laptop: 3/5 stars, maybe less. If "playing games" > "mobility" for you, you're looking at the wrong device.
Oh, also. It looks really nice and it can handle a fair amount of abuse. One of my cats just dumped mine to the floor from the very tippy-top of my desk earlier today, and it booted up just fine, no complaints.
Asus 1215N
Pro -
ION2*
Decent battery life for the capability
Asus are a good brand
Con -
32-bit OS
Atom CPU
ION2*
Dell Inspiron M101z
Pro -
CPU
64-bit OS
Con -
ATI4225 not as powerful as ION*
Dells' reputation
Anonymous, basic-but-quality Netbook -
Pro -
Money saved
Battery life of 7-8hrs
Con -
No gaming at all**
Difficulty with HD video?
How much money saved?
*On the fence about ION/ION2 right now. There's a couple of things I'm hearing with the 1215N. Firstly, that the 4x PCI-E bandwith acts as a significant bottleneck on the GPU capability. Secondly, Drivers are still buggy and may not ever be properly resolved.
**Just what can you get done on the Intel GMA's? I'm assuming stuff like Fallout 1+2, Age of Wonders 1+2, Diablo II are still a possibility?
That is unless I settle for a cheaper ION model. I hate deciding.
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Currently Ebaying Nothing at all but I might do in the future.
:winky:
It's really a matter of some gaming over no gaming. If, for example, I visit my parents in another city over Christmas, that's 1-2 weeks without my Desktop. If I fancied some UO or some other RPS/RPG's with my friends online, I'd be covered.
I'm definitely not under the impression that I'm buying a portable Xbox 360 or something, here. Also, If I were to make such a trip, personally I wouldn't have a problem including a small mouse in my packing.
I really think that the 1215N is the device for me - it's small enough to be highly portable, whilst remaining adequate for visual entertainment. The battery will last for a long coffee shop break/train journey and as far as I'm aware, Asus are a quality brand.
My one issue with it now is 32-bit Windows, which still causes me to lean ever so slightly back to the Dell M101z...
This morning, AnandTech dropped the following review: ASUS EeePC 1215N: Bringing NG-ION to the 1201
The verdict on gaming is still playable but not enjoyable, like the 1201 I own, though battery life is significantly improved. And frankly, it looks GORGEOUS.
If you have to get a NETBOOK, it still looks like a solid choice that leaves you options. I downloaded an overclocking program for my 1201 that adds a little spunk to it for free that I'm sure will work on the 1215, and I'm sure you can drop in another couple gigs of memory to spruce things up too.
Would it have been too much for sites like Engadget and Anandtech to include a UK alternative? I'm not importing any hardware.
I looked into this, but supporting multiple monitors is a big issue for me, and you're already in this thread.
What's a great docking station that supports multiple monitors, and what ports do I need on my laptop to support this?
It is, by most reports, the nicest looking Netbook around (Although the Samsung NF310 might dispute that), it's nothing special internally - W7 Starter, 1GB RAM, standard Atom and a GPU that can't handle HD playback.
Based on my reading, I'd go for the Acer Aspire One 521/721. A very tidy package at a good price point with HD video capability, if you're in the states.
Another model I'd love to see available over here.
Thanks a ton for the heads-up on this deal! I had all but given up on the M11x at it's retail cost and had been looking at the Dell Inspiron M101z as a cheaper alternative (and even then not until we get our tax return). Now it looks like I'll be getting this bad boy (an upgrade from my five year old iBook G4 I'm typing this up on right now) for Christmas/birthday.
Just wanted to let you know that you are awesome and my new favorite internet person.
Hopeless Gamer
I have the older ASUS 904HA (Atom N270 @ 1.6ghz, 1GB RAM, Intel 945 GME). Diablo 2 runs fine on it provided I use a mouse. I also play Peggle, Osmos, Braid, and Altitude on it.
I'm at the point now that I'm looking at sinking some upgrade money into it. I'll have had it for 2 years come Feb. The battery is at the point that it used to run for a solid 6 hours. Now its more like 1 1/2 - 2 hours. I'm also looking at moving to a small'ish SSD. I figure the SSD is a safe bet because I can always put it into my desktop in case something happens to my Eee. If I go the SSD route then Win7 is almost a necessity so that needs to be factored into the cost, and now I'm just rambling on, lol.
tl~dr: I'm very happy with my 904HA and it plays simple and/or older games just fine.
Confined to a tiny spit of sand, unable to escape,
But tonight, it's heavy stuff.
Oh fuck me I don't even need or want a laptop/netbook and that's mighty tempting.
Switch: 6200-8149-0919 / Wii U: maximumzero / 3DS: 0860-3352-3335 / eBay Shop
Reviews should start showing up for Dell's Inspiron Duo in the next few days...Engadget actually put one up last week, but annoyingly it was with a pre-release model so I'm not inclined to take it too heavily.
General consensus from 'early impressions' is predictable, though; generally on par with high-end netbooks, lacks any connections apart from the USB and headphone jack (Without the sold-seperately dock), and runs W7 about as well as you could hope a tablet to.
Certainly an appealing alternative, sacrificing the GPU power of the 1215n for the admittedly cool tablet flippin'.
Edit: I've come across a Dell Studio XPS 1340 on their outlet:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz,1066MHz,3MB)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
320GB HD 5400
4096MB (2x2048) 1067MHz DDR3 Dual Channel
DVD+/-RW (DVD & CD read and write) Slot Load Drive
Display 13.3in WXGA (1280x800) CCFL Display with TrueLife
512mb Nvidia GeForce 210M
About £450; seems like a relatively tasty package, can't really find any reviews or further info on it - with those specs, anyway.
If it could run wow tolerably that would be a bonus. I'd like to get in as close to $200 as possible.
From what I understand, there is nothing in that category that will run WoW at all - you're looking at needing at least either ION or AMD's 4225 GPU options. If you went in that direction, I'd point you towards the Acer Aspire One 521, which is around $350. $200 seems a pretty low budget for anything other than a very simple 1-core ATOM, 1Gb RAM W7 Starter machine, which will only be sufficient for the office/web stuff at best.
In other news, I pulled the trigger on an Asus 1215N; in the end it was the fact that the CPU is powerful enough, whilst the GPU is ahead of anything else in the category, for the price - the battery life of 5-6 hours is also more than adequate. It will make an excellent companion to my Desktop.
I wonder if you could play like oblivion/fallout 3/borderlands on something like this?
Batter life is great, but the 11 hours thing is an huge exaggeration. Maybe if I run it on its lowest power setting, on the dimmest possible screen, I can probably hit 11 hours. More realistically I'm getting around 4-6 hours of run time, depending on what I'm doing.
As for HD playback, it depends. Youtube fucking blows on this thing, and I believe this is due to Flash being a load of poo poo. Netflix and Hulu runs okay. Startup and shutdown takes bloody forever sometimes, though.
I don't play games on it (outside of facebook trash), so I have no opinions on its gaming capabilities.
I've got my eye on the 1215N, but the only real concern I've got is the complaints about the keyboard. I've got a beefy desktop and use my netbooks basically as note-taking and writing machines, and so the keyboard is rather important. I do like to dabble in some portable gaming now and then, which is why the 1215N sounds so appealing, but if the keyboard sucks to type on for any extended length of time, then it gets crossed off the list.
I'm not expecting a power house but I have gotten wow to run (recently) on a very shitty laptop with worse graphics than the netbook I am considering. I know gaming performance isn't great on a machine that's not meant to game on but they can still do it if you set your expectations back.
Unless both of these write-ups are just lying, I can expect to do at least some light gaming on this thing and may even get WoW to run on it as well.