15 replies to this topic

[Juju]

Morning All,

I'm after a bit of advice about buying a netbook. I have 300 squiddlies limit (inc software), and my chief concerns are battery life, durability & size (10-12").

Processing power is not the be all and end all. I won't be gaming, but I do need a bit of welly for data analysis & projections of animations for lectures & the like.

Does anybody recommend anything, purlease?

Juju

[RossKnight]

I previously had an NC10 when netbooks first started coming out, couldn't fault it..

Here's the NC210, not sure if it's an upgrade or just a new model altogether, but promising specs it seems.

http://www.ebuyer.com/259457-samsung-nc210-netbook-np-nc210-a03uk

I know you said you don't mind about processor, but it's dual core, which has a benefit over most netbooks which are single core, would suit presentations/projections nicely, has a VGA output so you can use projectors/external screens etc.

Also, it has a 6 cell battery, which says 10 hours, realistically, it'll be 6 hours, which is very good

[minisilverbullet]

I would stay clear of the HP mini series.

We had our HP mini 2133 for 2 yeaRs now and it just stopped displaying anything (on its screen or on an external monitor). A google search later and we found that it was one a common fault, and 2 an economically unfixable one!

Performance wise, I dont rate them either. Anything too strenuous and they struggle. Battery life was never a problem.

[Juju]

Thanks chaps.

I'll probably buy from John Lewis to get my 2 year warranty for free.

The NC210 is a little on the pricey side. I need MS office and antivirus software too...

Ta

[RossKnight]

http://www.johnlewis...81/Product.aspx

Any better? Good battery life too, comes with ms office starter, and you have £50 in your budget left

[Juju]

That's the fella I've been eyeing up, yerrrrsss......

[RossKnight]

go to pc world or something, see if they have it in, have a play, and then pop to john lewis

[minimanclive]

Most Netbooks are very similar in spec and price. Intel Atom processor, 10" screen etc.

I've been very pleased with the Asus Eee PC range for netbooks, some offer up to 10 hours battery life.

[the boy howard]

I have a samsung N130 in white and have to say its brilliant. Ive had it probably 2 years with no real probs , battery life is good although its getting a bit less these days. Been dropped off the sofa a few times but still in one piece! Would recommend

[xrocketengineer]

On the antivirus issue, free is good. I have been using Free Antivir from Avira for years in all my computers and it is very good. In some cases I have cleaned out viruses from acquaintances computers with Antivir that got infected while having Norton installed.

http://www.avira.com/en/for-home

Hope that helps,

Ivan

[Juju]

Thanks Chappies!

[the_r_sole]

Asus Eee PC is a good shout, had one of those, and an acer aspire one - would recommend upgrading ram if possible with the budget, as the graphics use it so can cause issues when it's connected to external monitors/projectors

don't buy antivirus, mse is pretty good and lightweight for a netbook

[Juju]

I had a look online at the Ee PCs this arvo. They look good & most bargainous, despite their Northern name....

[Timtom]

i'm using an eee pc right now. Its a 1000H that i bought a while ago. Its served me very well. its taken a beating and hasn't broken

I installed Ubuntu alongside Windows and never use windows except for playing Red Alert 2

[mike.]

Look at the HP DM1. Similar size to a netbook but wayyy better.

I went to buy one but saw a nice 13" toshiba laptop with about £280 knocked off so got that instead!