Jump to content
The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Netbook advice


tbourner

Recommended Posts

I know nothing about netbooks or notebooks or laptops really, we want something ultra cheap to basically log on with, load/save some pictures and do some word documents.

 

Netbooks don't have CD drives though? Why's that? How do I load Office etc? Can I use an external USB optical drive?

Otherwise I'll just load OpenOffice off my USB stick and not bother with Photoshop, just use pixlr or something.

 

Looking at something like this one:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3943.aspx

Tesco seem to be pretty good on price, not sure on the spec though, is that good? Am I looking at laptop money if I go to the dual core loads of RAM variants?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldnt get a netbook mate.

 

I used to have one (The HP one you listed) and it was too slow even to browse the net with (which is ironic) There arent any with internal optical drives as you cant cram it all in.

 

If you are looking to edit images then a netbook is a no striaght up it just does not have the amount of processing power needed etc.

 

Really best spending that little bit more and get a laptop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For a netbook that has pretty decent spec 1G memory should be enough & a 250GB hard drive to store all your dodgy pictures :D. Netbooks tend not to have CD drives to reduce cost & also as the main use of them will be to surf the net.

 

Unlike a laptop they are not built to have resource hungry applications (like Photoshop etc) so are built pretty basic. I think even the OS (Operating System) is a reduced cut down version with a lot of admin tools removed.

 

You can install Office & all the rest of the applications via USB or an external USB drive (As you mentioned).

 

These Dell's seem pretty good & personally I'd pick a Dell machine over a HP (Smaller HD though).

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/dell-inspiron-mini-1011-green-04243730-pdt.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wouldnt get a netbook mate.

 

I used to have one (The HP one you listed) and it was too slow even to browse the net with (which is ironic).

 

Is that too slow compared to a super fast PC though? As my desktop is less than 1GB of RAM and an old Athlon CPU of some kind, it's pretty pants so I'm not used to fast working!! I still open most images in paint as I can't be arsed to wait 2 minutes for PS CS2 to load!! :rolleyes:

 

I won't be doing any large file rendering or anything, and I probably won't be doing much editing at all mostly changing image sizes etc., then just uploading to the web.

 

I'm gonna need a wireless router too, no idea about that either, I think it's a wireless N I need for Virgin rather than a G, don't know why or what the difference is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The HP has much better battery life than the dell circa eight hours. It also has something called a "splashtop" which allows you to boot the net book in less than twenty seconds, however it only allows you to check e-mails, view/listen to pictures/video/music stored on the net book and surf the web. Handy feature if you just want to check e-mails or swiftly gain access to certain websites:innocent:While she's quickly popped downstairs to make you some tea

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have an Advent 4211 netbook (rebranded MSI Wind U100): 1GB RAM, 10 inch screen. It's quite good if you need high portability, but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise. I bought mine for taking on the train for my commute. The small screen can be annoying on some websites that haven't been written for smaller screens in mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's quite good if you need high portability, but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.

 

That's a tough one, it's the weight of a laptop that puts me off (as well as the price), having handled a few laptops they're not easy to pick up and move from sofa to kitchen (for example), you have to close them (yeah yeah I know - big hardship) before moving. Probably an iPad would be ideal but again too expensive, and not sure the missus would like it when she has to do lots of typing. So I'm thinking small light netbook would be pretty good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love my hp2133, old in terms of netbook but a decent screen. Any netbook you get though put 2GB ram in and a 250GB hard disk running at 7200rpm and it makes a good difference.

I run vista 32 bit business and dual boot ubuntu 10 which runs much snappier than vista. I use mine mainly when working away but its a cool little machine, I can fill it with films and older games like dues ex, doom, quake 3 and I can even hook it up to hotel flatscreens and use my xbox 360 joypad :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. You might also be interested in our Guidelines, Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.