netbook advice please

anna86

bikeradar members some help:), I'm going to buy a netbook, but I don't know which one, I don't know much about computers as I know about bikes that's why I'm asking for your help. What I'm looking for it's a good battery lenght and the NC10 seems to have it. but do I have better options? or someone had bad experiences with the Samsung NC10?

AidanR

The NC10 is great - I'm using it right now.

But hold off a month 'til Windows 7 comes out. It's reportedly very good. You might also want to consider a netbook with an nVidia Ion chipset (for better media playback). There aren't many around just at the moment but I imagine there'll be a raft of new netbooks coinciding with Windows 7's release, at least some of which will be based around that chipset.

fcumok

I currently buy NC10's for work and they're great. I did buy the Asus EEE 901 before but find the keyboard a bit cramped.

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Chris5.5

I have just bought a NC10 and am very happy with it. If you can cope with the smaller battery that gives it about a 2.5 hour battery life, staples currently have them on offer for £228 including a years Norton 360 anti-virus.

Chris

allthegearnoidea

weve got a dell inspiron mini which is a cracking lil bit of kit!
wife got it as the big computer went pop and havent got around too getting it up to brother to fix!!
really enjoyiong using it at the mo, does all we need it to and isnt so obtrusive as a laptop can be!

Spira

I have an Asus eee 901 running Linux ubuntu. Cracking unit for general browsing, documents...etc.

joec1

I have the same issue...

need one that will easily last 5 hours... (a commute of 1.5 hrs each way and a bit of work at lunch.. with a small (v minor) chance of charging at lunch.)

also a card reader would be helpful and wireless "N" Wifi...

would prefer the "windows 7" or at least free upgrade to...

The Big Cheese

Seriously, my advice would be, don't get one (for all of the reasons quoted above)

Get a small screen laptopn instead for pretty much the same price, tonnes more features

unscarred

If you can, wait a month or two. There's a lot of interesting stuff out there, e.g.:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/09/23/dell_goes_moblin/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KarmicKoala

Depending what you're after, a Nokia N900 might even be worth a look - not a netbook, but could provide most of the same functionality.

What do you want to use it for? I use my Acer Aspire One for browsing the web and limited document editing, and for that it's fine. I've got Cruchbang Linux loaded to mine.

I partially agree with keats - the linux distros that come as standard with netbooks are generally not great, they're too dumbed down and usually out-of-date. Loading a better version of linux is pretty easy though (copy file to usb stick, reboot, follow instructions on screen) and there's plenty to choose from - just google it.

If you're not confident doing that than maybe you are better off sticking to Windows, but be aware that you're more vulnerable to viruses, trojans, worms, rootkits, sidejacking at public wifi hotspots... Windows 7 will be better in almost every way than XP, especially security and battery life, but word is they're going to cripple the version they load to netbooks in some way, e.g.:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/19/oems_cant_brand_windows_7_starter_desktop/

bomberesque

but surely a netbook is just a smallscreen laptop, isn't it? at least if it has a "proper" OS. that's something I never really understood about the label netbook, seems to be underselling the product

I have a gigabyte M912 running XP. It's fine and runs all the software I've thrown at it (including database handling stuff but excluding games) with no problems at all plus it's a convertible tablet, although I'll admit the native tablet software in XP seems to be very weak next t Mrs B's Vista OS'd tablet, so I'm thinking about upgrading to W7 when it comes, if it's not too pricey.

Processing power running work stuff, streaming media etc just doesn't seem to be an issue (I have a full gaming rig at home so can see the difference to compare) although mine can be bought with Vista aswell, so isn't one of the netbooks that is restricted to lighter OSs (although perhaps it would run like it was in treacle if it did have Vista in it).

That said, I think a 9" screen is too small and the keyboard is cramped, even though I don't have (very) fat fingers. I'll almost certainly try and go for an 11 or 12" screened one next time altjhough weight is an issue so there's a delicate balance to be struck there.

Really, I'd like to get a Lenovo X200 (the tablet one that's coming) I had a thinkpad X31 many moons ago when they were still IBM and they are just superb, but it's 5 times the price of my gigabyte so we'll have to see what the boss says.

ride_whenever

the NC10 runs win 7 RC fine with 2gig of ram in them.

The Big Cheese

Something like a 14" latop is what I meant, with slightly more functionality, sure it's a little bigger, but unless you want to stick it in yout handbag or something, it's a price I would be willing to pay,

bomberesque - not you sticking it in a handbag lol

pastasauce

I buy the NC10's for work and they're very good.

Look the smartest too which helps.

bomberesque

Cheesey you correctly identified me as not having a handbag

I see what you mean but the 14" lappy, many are very competitively priced

However I do commute to work by bike with the PC in my panniers so weight is a significant issue (moreso than footprint, actually). I had a 7lb laptop at work ages ago and hated it, hence I got the X31. At the time my boss laughed at it "god, how are you going to work on that" etc etc. 2 years later when I left the firm I made a deal with the MD to buy it off the company .... until my boss scooped in with "oh, I need a new laptop, I suppose James' would do". Git

Different stokes for different folks; I like a small portable or a big honkin' desktop. Lappys over 2kg I find too heavy. Mrs B just got a really nice Fujitsu Seimens convertible from work. It's fully loaded and lovely .... except it's 2 1/2 kilos and that's just one kilo too much. I do like the 12"screen though .... hence thinking again about the Lenovo.....

hertswenip

Another vote for the NC10

ride_whenever

the NC10 fits comfy in my crumpler, it's so small that it doesn't get flexed by my massive man-back-muscles.