Netbook

[bobbie-dazzler]

I dont want to buy a full size laptop, just something easy and simple for me to carry around.

I need some guidlines on what to look for when purchasing a netbook, ie size of MB, battery size, a decent make, does it do everything a normal size PC does etc.

I have vista, so need one that is compatable with that, so if anyone has one, or knows anything about them, I would appreciate all the help you can give me.

[gas4you]

I have the Samsung NC10, don't know what the current version is called, and I have found it brilliant.

It does everything a full sized laptop can do, but a tad slower.

However, I would never but a 10" screen again, because you are forever scrolling the page to be able to read it all.

[Inky Pete]

I've got a Samsung NC10 as well - running Windows 7. Great little piece of kit.

Does everything I need it to do and came with a 90 day trial version of Microsoft Office. When that expired I just downloaded OpenOffice for free and haven't yet come across a spreadsheet or document it won't open.

I got round the problem of fitting webpages on the screen by simply zooming the screen out and making all the text smaller - but then I've got good eyesight!

[Inky Pete]

Thinking about it though, if I were looking for one now I might hang on until the New Year.

I hear there are lots of touchscreen tablet format notebooks and laptops due to be released soon to take on the iPad.

[kellys_eye]

Don't discount Netbooks running Linux out of hand. For the most part you will be using software that is totally user-transparent (Firefox, Open Office etc) so you would hardly know it's running Linux in the first place. The main reason being that there is usually a difference in price between the Windows loaded version and the Linux one.

Linux Netbooks also tend to run faster than Windows versions.

Many, many applications are FREE under Linux too. If you use any 'Office' software then you'll appreciate how expensive MS Office is and, as has already been mentioned, Open Office does the same job for zero cost.

If staying 'legit' is an issue then keep an open mind about Linux-operated netbooks.

[bobbie-dazzler]

Thanks for your imput guys kelly, your post is all gobblygook to me I havent a clue lol.

Basically, I want something small and light, nothing too fussy.

I have Vista on my desk top PC, so obviously the netbook would would be linked up to my ISP provider, but as far as I know the netbooks dont come with Vista, would that be a problem?

[kellys_eye]

Bobbie.

Netbooks can be delivered with three types of Operating System.

The Windows version (most expensive)
The Linux version (cheaper)
No Operating System at all (cheapest).

Some netbooks come with software preloaded - the ones with Linux have the most as the software is generally freely available (no cost). You probably already know how expensive Microsoft stuff is.

Either way, if you are using a netbook for internetting then you'll be using (say) Firefox and this looks the same on a Linux netbook as it does on a Windows netbook. Same goes for viewing movies, pictures, emails etc. You would hardly notice the difference between a Linux netbook as a Windows one - other than the cost!

The most expensive version of a Netbook would be one with the Vista option (assuming it was powerful enough to run it).

If your sanity is at risk and you have a particular fetish for Bill Gates then by all means go for the Windows (Vista) version. My advice was only offered as a means to saving money - not sanity

Let us know what you settle for (or even 'plan' to get) so we can look it up online and (probably) tell you how 'bad' it's going to be

[bobbie-dazzler]

I appreciate the advice kelly, its just that I am a PC dummy, and cant understand things, this is why I ask a lot of questions, as would rather ask on hear and look a fool, than ask in the shop and get taking for a fool lol.

So, your saying that even though I have vista on my desktop PC, I dont have to have vista on my netbook, even though I am with the same provider?, (see how silly this question sounds)? that I can use another system on the netbook other than the vista I already have?

Where would I get linux version netbooks?

And if I want to take it abroad with me, how does that work?, do I need something extra to make it work? (see, another thicko question)

[chat_to_rich]

Are you going to use your netbook with any peripherals, like a printer or 3G dongle? If you are, post the make and model and we can tell you if they'll work with Linux.

[kellys_eye]

Bobby - we seem to be making this subject a bit overly-complicated for what it really is .

If your budget is flexible to within +/-£50 then most of the above is irrelevant (in order to keep things simple) so you should just get a netbook that you 'like' (in pink perhaps - stops the other half borrowing it if anything...).

Post a link or lets us know the make/model and we'll give our considered opinion on it.

[scot-canuck]

My brother bought an Asus eeepc 901 with XP on it and with a solid state drive (like a giant memory card) so it wouldn't matter if it got shaken about. To be honest it didn't work well, the 4GB operating system drive was too constrained for it, so I put Ubuntu Linux on it, which worked ok but in the end he found too slow for what he wanted it to do. Also he felt that the Eee felt cheaply made (it is tbh)

I inherited the laptop and reinstalled the latest netbook version of ubuntu (10.10 - 10th month of 10th year, also known as "Maverick Meerkat" or more usually "Maverick") Which has made it easier to use as the text sizes are set up for the smaller screen and the icons are sized accordingly.

My advice: if your not going to be needing to move quickly then get one with a hard drive, more space for the same cash.
Try to get one with linux on it, they are much much quicker and its less load on the processor.

Your internet provider doesn't see what kind of computer you use, it talks to your modem or router and doesn't see any further.
I tend to find linux works better, only issue I had was with my 3G dongle, which wouldn't work till I clicked the eject icon, which disabled the card reader which was built into the dongle.

Best last piece of advice, post a link to the ones you are considering and we can give you an opinion on it.

[bobbie-dazzler]

Bobby - we seem to be making this subject a bit overly-complicated for what it really is .

If your budget is flexible to within +/-£50 then most of the above is irrelevant (in order to keep things simple) so you should just get a netbook that you 'like' (in pink perhaps - stops the other half borrowing it if anything...).

Post a link or lets us know the make/model and we'll give our considered opinion on it.

Lol Kelly, pink is a good colour, will match my pink phone, no probs about the other half nicking it, as there is no other half now

Havent decided on one yet, woulld like a dell, but a vit pricey, so am shopping around at the mo.

[bobbie-dazzler]

Are you going to use your netbook with any peripherals, like a printer or 3G dongle? If you are, post the make and model and we can tell you if they'll work with Linux.

Ah Chat, that was going to be another question a bit further on, ie 'dongle' but was trying to get my head round the ins and out of a netbook first.

Is that correct that you cant insert any discs into a netbook, ie cds etc.?

I just want the lightest simpliest netbook/laptop, but might be better to wait till nearer Xmas for the sales etc.

[bobbie-dazzler]

My advice: if your not going to be needing to move quickly then get one with a hard drive, more space for the same cash.
Try to get one with linux on it, they are much much quicker and its less load on the processor.

Seems most people favour that.

Your internet provider doesn't see what kind of computer you use, it talks to your modem or router and doesn't see any further.

You have answered one of my questions,

Best last piece of advice, post a link to the ones you are considering and we can give you an opinion on it


Will do, just waiting till Xmas offers come round, and go and have a nose at the different ones.

[Inky Pete]

Is that correct that you cant insert any discs into a netbook, ie cds etc.?

The Samsung hasn't got a CD/DVD drive - so it's no good for watching films from disk. Anything I've got on disk which I really want to get onto the netbook I just use the desktop PC to transfer it onto a USB stick first.