Which netbook should I get?

[Amourek]

In the market for a netbook - my main criteria is a good screen as I'll be using it mainly for mainly for watching DIVX/XVID, reading PDFs, looking at pics, and light internet use.

Also, can the hard drive be swapped on any of them? Can I get a model with a SSD and swap it with a notebook drive? I need more storage, but I wouldn't mind having a small SSD on hand for other purposes.

[bigshotceo]

I recommend the MSI Wind u100. ($530 at Staples). Basically the specs are:

Processor: 1.6 ghz Intel Atom (plays divx/xvid/dvds perfectly); will not play h264/x264 (not surprising).
Screen: 10 inches, 1024x600 (a very good screen and big enough for regular use).
Memory: 1gb (it might be expandable to 2gb, I can't remember)
Hard drive: Regular (Non-SSD) 2.5 inch SATA 80gb drive.
Ports: 3x usb 2.0, headphone-out, microphone-in, vga-out, ethernet (10/100), wireless b/g, sdhc reader.

[Amourek]

I know all about the specs and capabilities.

I want to know which has the best screen and if the hard drive can be replaced.

[goofball]

all of the SSD's used are 1.8" so while they are swappable, you would need to get 1.8" hard drives. They attach using a ZIF cable as well so you would need to make sure that the ZIF cable can be attached to whatever hard disk you go with.

I know people don't like the layout of the Aspire One keyboard. Funny how no one mentions how it is the only netbook that has a full size right shift though, everyone only complains about the left shift. It takes a bit of getting used to.

I would say with the recent price drop, the Asus 1000H is becoming very interesting. Has the keyboard layout most seem to prefer, wireless N, bluetooth, bigger screen (not resolution though, which is a pity). The Asus uses a matte screen which is pretty nice. I do find the colours on the Acer Aspire one much "richer" in comparison. I guess it's kinda like the Plasma vs LCD type of discussion, neither are bad.

MSI Wind forums are full of complaints. I know some that have sent theirs back and took the 15% restocking fee, the screen wobbled on all 3 of their units to the point where they couldn't type with it on their lap. The new touchpad also lacks any features compared to the Synaptics they were shipping with initially.

HP doesn't count to me, way too overpriced for a slow system (add vista to boot).

[jdonner]

MSI Wind forums are full of complaints.

You and I both know that you can go to any product forum and have people complain about issues. People don't go to forum to just say nice things about their netbook.

the screen wobbled on all 3 of their units to the point where they couldn't type with it on their lap

Then these people shouldn't have a laptop to begin with...sigh. Having a laptop on your lap is really bad for cooling, not only does it block the ventilation holes at the bottom (there IS a reason for them, and the Wind has many), but it also transfers your body heat (almost 40c!) to the laptop.

That combination of blocking and heat transfer is just asking for trouble. The screen doesn't wobble if you type on the keyboard when you use the laptop the way you are supposed to use it.

Personally I would never take the Asus for two reasons;

- teriible exprience with Asus quality control, service and support
- I just hate those glossy surfaces and for 3 reasons;

1. they can distract while typing, you always need to angle your laptop first to avoid strong reflections from lights and windows, heck even yourself!
2. they make the notebook look cheap and ugly
3. extreme finger print mangnets
4. removing finger prints several times a month just leads to many scratches, things just get worse.

Btw, I don't own any netbook yet, just searching, but the Asus models and the slow HP are both out of the picture and with Asus also being an ungly glossy monster I'm left with very little choices.

[Amourek]

Thanks for all your replies.

I think I'm going to go with the AA1 XP/120GB/6-cell. I checked out the screen at NCIX and it is quite nice. The Wind is a bit too expensive for me, and the EEE 9" keyboard is smaller than I'd like.

Now all I have to do is find a decent US retailer to get it from as I would like an English keyboard.

[darius_m5]

Thanks for all your replies.

I think I'm going to go with the AA1 XP/120GB/6-cell. I checked out the screen at NCIX and it is quite nice. The Wind is a bit too expensive for me, and the EEE 9" keyboard is smaller than I'd like.

Now all I have to do is find a decent US retailer to get it from as I would like an English keyboard.

I just finished all my research, and I'm getting the exactly same netbook. I'd prefer an American keyboard also.
Anyone know of a good US retailer?

[GVRtrader]

Best deal right now is the asus 1000h. For just a bit more, you get a netbook that can support 2 GB ram (acer 1 max out @ 1.5) and wireless N support. The bigger kb also = easier to type for most people (unless you have small kb). 1.1" might not sound like a big difference but for typing, it makes quite a difference.

Only downside is it uses regular HD, but if you want a SSD, you can buy a 2.5" SSD (i prefer OCZ due to speed) and upgrade it yourself. I just wish Asus would fix their battery issue (1 hour less than wind)... altho battery life probably isn't an issue to most (you still get over 4 hours with wifi on).

[goofball]

You and I both know that you can go to any product forum and have people complain about issues. People don't go to forum to just say nice things about their netbook.


Fair enough.


Then these people shouldn't have a laptop to begin with...sigh. Having a laptop on your lap is really bad for cooling, not only does it block the ventilation holes at the bottom (there IS a reason for them, and the Wind has many), but it also transfers your body heat (almost 40c!) to the laptop.

That combination of blocking and heat transfer is just asking for trouble. The screen doesn't wobble if you type on the keyboard when you use the laptop the way you are supposed to use it.


Ok, i wasn't obviously clear enough. It wobbled when on a table, it wobbled when on their lap, all 3 that they tried wobbled regardless of the surface when they typed. I'm sorry but if you buy a laptop to not use on your lap (i.e. on a plane), then that's absolutely your right but don't just say that these people shouldn't have a laptop because they use it on their lap when they need to. Not everyone is like you and they actually do use it on their lap when there isn't a table around (imagine, no table following them around!). The fact it wobbled so badly they couldn't use it (yes, all 3 of them, brand new from the box) is not a good sign. And the cheap touchpad with very few convenience features also was not a selling point to them.

Can you define more clearly "when you use the laptop the way you are supposed to use it", I'm afraid I apparently don't get the concept of using a laptop.

Btw, I don't own any netbook yet, just searching

Speaking from no experience.