Netbooks

SarahPLiz

Anyone have a netbook? I want one for travelling and because I hate lugging my work laptop home every day when I don't need to work.. just so I can knot. Our desktop at home is a dedicated WoW machine. 

If you have one, please tell me what kind, where you got it, and if it is worth the price, just to be able to surf the net on vacation and at home at night. No other productivity is needed. 

TheCranberry

Thanks, S & M.

LesPaul

We bought a Netbook for my MIL last Christmas.  DH bought it on Newegg.com - I don't remember the price, but it wasn't expensive.  She loves it, although her use is pretty limited to email, a little web surfing, storing pictures, and watching DVDs.  He installed remote software so he can log into it from our house if he needs to troubleshoot anything for her.

Celles

My FIL's have a netbook and they love it. 

I think netbooks (and iPads) are a know-what-you-need-it-for kind of product.  If you're just looking for a portable Internet experience and won't be disappointed by the lack of gaming or productivity applications, then it's probably a worthwhile purchase.  Most people who are disappointed by them expect them to do more than they are intended to do.

[Deleted User]

We have a Notebook, I think, but I don't know the difference. It's a Dell. I don't know the price because it was won in a raffle. It seems to work fine for browsing the Internet, we have no connection problems. It has a USB port, which is all we need to upload things. It doesn't have a CD drive though, so we need to get that attachment to upload music and whatnot. It came with basic Word programs, and that's all we need.

the only thing I don't like about it is the keyboard. It's so damn small that it takes forever to type because I keep messing up. But, we rarely use it for typing so it's not that big a deal.

SarahPLiz

As long as I can get to TK, FB and my email, i'm set. Thanks for the info! I'm trying to convince FI now. 

NatesGirl16

I see you've made your decision, but I'll throw my two cents in for further FI argument evidence. 

I bought my netbook when our main computer (laptop) crashed.  I use it primarily for work and internet play.  I have Windows XP added on--that doesn't affect the productivity/performance at all, IMO.  Mine is an HP Mini and I bought it right when they came out, so I've had it for about 2 years.  I cannot say enough great things about it.

maratea

I have a netbook that I use as my primary computer. H has a desktop, but I love my netbook. The graphics are amazing and the speed is awesome. I watch the Instant Play stuff from Netflix, I can download lots of music from iTunes, and it doesn't affect the speed of it. Will that convince your FI? I did pay a little more because it's got more memory, but it was worth it. And it's pretty.

ETA: It's an HP. I ordered it from Walmart.com.

Cranberry- I have lots of pictures stored on this computer. When I work from home on certain days, I am able to use all Microsoft Office programs easily. The only downside is the smaller screen, but often I will hook it up to our TV.

TheCranberry

My home laptop is about 7 years old and super slow so I need a new one.  It doesn't sound like the netbook will be a good replacement for it though since I'll need more than basic internet connectivity.  Thanks for the info ya'll.

Night_Sprite

I have a asus eee pc (1000h) that I bought 2 years ago this month.  I use it for carrying around/notes in class/working away from home.  It's not my primary computer, but I really like it.  It runs XP without issue and lived a solid 2 years before needing reformatting.  (I reformatted it last week.)

Ask me more questions if you're inclined.  I don't think solid state memory is worth it yet.

SarahPLiz

Thanks NS. If I think of any more Qs I'll let you know. I predict that FI will take this request and run with it and we'll end up with a tricked out laptop that he can play WoW on. SO not what we need (or can afford). 

SarahPLiz

He just ordered us an ASUS one. Apparently he has been researching at work too

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I saw Verizon has them for $30 if you sign a broadband contract ($40/month, I think).

SarahPLiz

Well, he got it from Amazon. Seeing as how IT has hijacked my harddrive and left me with a loaner computer, no bookmarks, and no saved passwords, I can't wait to have a computer of my own that I can put all my stuff on.

THis may cut down on my distraction at work as well. 4.2 days left.. or so. But who's counting?

megandken

I looked into this recently for similar reasons. Netbook prices have just about matched notebook prices.  If you want smaller-definitely netbook.

My random 2 cents: Since I'd like to also watch DVDs on trips, I went with a low-end notebook.  Toshiba and Asus are the most reliable for low-end.  I actually got a Toshiba rockin an intel i3 core processor, lots of memory and harddrive for <$400.  That means I can do all kinds of photo stuff on my vacation.  Not that you need that much, just sayin, it's cheap.

Night_Sprite

A spinning CD does not a happy computer make.  You can easily load iso files onto a netbook.  The problem with netbooks is really the video card.  They are known for poor video card quality because that's not what they're for.  They're not big enough for effective heat dispersal from lots of fan space.