A Netbook or a laptop for me? (+ recommendations, please)

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

I wanted to post this question since laptops have never been a real temptation for me. Sometimes I think of getting one, but more often than not I forget about it since I'm very happy with my desktop PC. Basically, I don't think I need to carry such a "big" thing like a laptop everywhere.

But now I'm seeing Netbooks spreading everywere and they are becoming a "real" temptation for me because I think they are "real" portable computers. Their size seems perfect to me. Not as big as a laptop, not as small as an iPod Touch.

But I'm not very informed about them, specially about disadvantages. As far as I've seen the only one is the lack of a DVD drive, but anyway USB sticks solve the problem of transferring data from/to the Netbook.

Any other disadvantages? In the end, what I want to know is: What do I lose by choosing a Netbook over a laptop, aside from the DVD drive and the bigger screen? Again, I haven't considered a laptop, but Netbooks have made me think seriously a portable computer. Your input is highly appreciated. Besides, I'd like to hear your recommendations on laptops/Netbooks - whichever you think it's the better choice. Dell is a brand with a real solid presence in my country, with lots of options, offers and payment ways, but I don't know if Dells are really that great. I've also seen many Lenovo Netbooks and some HPs here and there.

Thank you again!

[bassybill]

Hi there Alvaro - here's my 2c in response. It all depends what you want and, more importantly, where you want it.

I use both, and you've nailed the differences already. Netbook = no optical drive and smaller screen. That's about it, in fact, for 99% of your computing. A netbook is, for me at least, the first really portable computer.

I can live with the smaller screen and lack of DVD drive, personally speaking. When I go to work (and when I flew overseas last month) the difference between the netbook and my laptop is basically carrying one bag instead of two. No contest. At home, I still use the laptop because of the bigger screen. Out of the house - netbook every time.

Oh, and mine's a Samsung NC-10. Google the reviews, it's one of the best. My two laptops, though, are both Dells and they've been great (but I did wipe all the crap and do a fresh installation when I bought them, as I like to have a nice clean machine to start from).

[MadMan118]

If you're going for a netbook I suggest the Acer aspire one. at about 375USD its one of the cheapest on the market, but has the most "features" of all the netbooks I've seen, 10.1" screen, nine hour battery, bluetooth compatibility, larger hard drive. The 10 inch screen can get obnoxious after few hours though.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by MadMan118

If you're going for a netbook I suggest the Acer aspire one. at about 375USD its one of the cheapest on the market, but has the most "features" of all the netbooks I've seen, 10.1" screen, nine hour battery, bluetooth compatibility, larger hard drive. The 10 inch screen can get obnoxious after few hours though.

I haven't bought it yet (next pay day)... but I'm snagging an Acer One 751H personally. It's got a little bit slower processor, but with 2gb of ram, 250gb hard drive, 6 cell battery (5 hours real world life) and a true 1366x768 resolution 11.6" screen... I've not been able to come up with a better choice for me.

I'll be surfing, emailing, listening to MP3s and watching streamed tv shows and movies via places like Hulu with it.

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...ne-ao751h.aspx

They go about $380 USD just about anywhere. I did see Radio Shack has them with $20 this week.

[HeavyDuty]

James, be careful - the 751H has a rep for running hot.

I picked up an HP 5101 last week - N280 processor, 2GB ram, 160GB HD, Bluetooth, A/B/G/N wireless and the six cell battery. I'm seeing 7 to 8 hours of average use with the WiFi and BT on, better than I expected. Plus, it's an enterprise-class machine with a metal case (still under 3#), spillproofed keyboard, metal hinges and G-shock HD protection (the heads auto-park based on an accelerometer.) I shopped the crap out of netbooks before I bought, and in the end I thought this was the best one for me.

Others I liked and seriously considered were the Toshiba NB205-210 and -310, the 10" Acer Aspire 1 (something-something-something-250), the Asus 1005/1008 and the Dell Mini 10.

A new crossover box was just announced by Dell - the 11Z. You may want to check that out, too - almost as portable as a netbook and almost as powerful as a laptop.

[tplyons]

Be forewarned if you expect to use the netbook for interfacing with some USB hardware. My neighbor bought a netbook expressly for tuning his motorcycle, and turns out the netbook's Atom processor was not compatible with the aftermarket ECM.

But for 99% of computing needs, the netbook is more than adequate.

[Sterling_Bass]

The Dell Mini series is a solid choice, especially considering the company has a strong presence in your country. That may be beneficial to you in case of any malfunctions. I also agree with HeavyDuty. The HP is a nice machine. Hope all is well, Alvaro.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

James, be careful - the 751H has a rep for running hot.

links? You are the only one I've ever read that says so... and I've been scouring the net for all things netbook as well.
(I appreciate the heads up, just looking for more info on the subject)

Also the Acer Timeline is a crossover out on the market now too... looks good, but I'm trying to stay under $400.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by bassybill

At home, I still use the laptop because of the bigger screen. Out of the house - netbook every time.

In my view:

Desktop = History
Notebook = The new desktop
Netbook = The new notebook

I know lots of people who do not own a desktop computer at all, even though their computer always sits in one place.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

I picked up an HP 5101 last week - N280 processor, 2GB ram, 160GB HD, Bluetooth, A/B/G/N wireless and the six cell battery.

may I ask how much? I've been looking at them too since I have an employee purchase thing with HP. To get the HD screen (1366x768 resolution), 2gb of ram, 250Gb drive and 6 cell battery looks to run close to $700. That was the main reason I stopped looking at them.

Originally Posted by fdeck

In my view:

Desktop = History
Notebook = The new desktop
Netbook = The new notebook

I know lots of people who do not own a desktop computer at all, even though their computer always sits in one place.

I was going to ditch it all and get a massive 17" high power laptop and replace my DAW tower AND dead 15" cheapie laptop. The more and more I thought about it and shopped around, I'm sticking with my tower... it is my media center, I have remote access to it from the office, I've got FTP access to it for sending large files home, it has my card based audio interface connected... etc etc etc. It sits in my desk and runs 24/7. I'm buying a sub $400 netbook to use as my portable goofing on the net / communication device.

[Disco_Gee]

Originally Posted by fdeck

In my view:

Desktop = History
Notebook = The new desktop
Netbook = The new notebook

I know lots of people who do not own a desktop computer at all, even though their computer always sits in one place.

Not quite. A lot of us still use desktops for very graphics heavy/processing heavy work. The kind of stuff that's just not very easy to do on a laptop.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Thank you so much for your suggestions, guys (keep them coming!).

Originally Posted by James Hart

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...ne-ao751h.aspx

Thanks to your link I found this other one, James. Very interesting.

[wdinc01]

Originally Posted by Disco_Gee

Not quite. A lot of us still use desktops for very graphics heavy/processing heavy work. The kind of stuff that's just not very easy to do on a laptop.

+1. Very reason I built a desktop for college. But I also bought a netbook so I can go where ever with it and surf the web, which is what I do.

I recommend the Asus Eee PC 1005HA, or whatever the model is. They go for around $300, has a six cell batter, which is like a ten hour battery life, and they have an expandable bay so you can upgrade to more RAM. Asus essentially invented the netbook. Now granted, I just went with what my friends told me, who know quite a bit about computers. But I think its a solid choice. A lot of netbooks on the market now carry close to the same specs anyway.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

I have a question: How do I do a clean install of Windows XP on a Netbook, since there's no CD/DVD drive?

[HeavyDuty]

Originally Posted by James Hart

links? You are the only one I've ever read that says so... and I've been scouring the net for all things netbook as well.
(I appreciate the heads up, just looking for more info on the subject)

Also the Acer Timeline is a crossover out on the market now too... looks good, but I'm trying to stay under $400.

I didn't save any of the links, but if I remember correctly it was more a criticism of the Atom Z520 than the netbook. The Z520 seems to be outclassed by the N270 and N280 processors.

[HeavyDuty]

Originally Posted by James Hart

may I ask how much? I've been looking at them too since I have an employee purchase thing with HP. To get the HD screen (1366x768 resolution), 2gb of ram, 250Gb drive and 6 cell battery looks to run close to $700. That was the main reason I stopped looking at them.

I was restricted to buying from Best Buy or Best Buy for Business because I had $350 in gift cards, so the price I paid wasn't the most competitive. I also didn't want the HD screen, I personally feel it's not a good match with 10.1" monitors based on how 1024x600 looked on 8.9".

Mine was $425 with the 160 and 6 cell, plus I spent another $25 here for a 2GB RAM stick - they were out of stock on the 2GB models plus it was cheaper to upgrade myself.

[James Hart]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

I didn't save any of the links, but if I remember correctly it was more a criticism of the Atom Z520 than the netbook. The Z520 seems to be outclassed by the N270 and N280 processors.

ok, that makes sense then. Everything I've read on the 751H says 'no excessive heat issues'. The Z520 is a slower chip using slightly less power... I do hope they announce a speed bump for the 751H before I order mine

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

I was restricted to buying from Best Buy or Best Buy for Business because I had $350 in gift cards, so the price I paid wasn't the most competitive. I also didn't want the HD screen, I personally feel it's not a good match with 10.1" monitors based on how 1024x600 looked on 8.9".

I run 1920x1200 on my 15.4" company supplied Dell Latitude D810 (I'm getting it upgraded this month)... so the higher the better resolution for me.

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

Mine was $425 with the 160 and 6 cell, plus I spent another $25 here for a 2GB RAM stick - they were out of stock on the 2GB models plus it was cheaper to upgrade myself.

Not bad, that HP does look like a nice machine! I especially like the 7200 rpm drive. That is the one thing I may swap out of my 751H.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

I have a question: How do I do a clean install of Windows XP on a Netbook, since there's no CD/DVD drive?

Plug in a USB CD/DVD drive. IIRC, you can even install Windows Seven clean from a usb stick.

[James Hart]

ok so I've been revisiting my research after finding a Gateway with an AMD chipset that looks pretty nice at bestbuy while looking at the HP... turns out Acer HAS give the 751H a speed bump. They just classed it as a laptop NOT a netbook even though it's the same case and screen. The Acer Aspire 1410 (or 1810T outside the USA) is the one for me!

Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500, up to 4GB of ram, VGA and HDMI outputs, graphics via an intel 4500MHD (64MB dedicated memory, up 1695MB shared system memory).

here is a review http://acer1810treview.blogspot.com/

[HeavyDuty]

Cool!