Which netbook????????

[ShaTR]

So my sis needs something lighter than her vostro 1400 to take to school. Battery life is very important, so wondering what you guys would reccomend in a 6 cell for a good price. 10" screen is preffered, 9" works. under 400 would be ideal.


btw, not sure how dificult it is to upgrade the acer's ram, but im sure i can manage, as i'm quite handy. Just so long as there is little to no soldering, we're good ;)

TIA :)

[Amourek]

The Asus EEE 1000H/HA has the best battery life.

[ShaTR]

The Asus EEE 1000H/HA has the best battery life.

Thanks. Actually was considering the 904HA. 1000 series seems to be quite a bit more expensive. wanna keep this as cheap as possible, so i think i'm leaning toward the 904HA right now. 900ha is a 4 cell, but seems to have good batt life as well. Choices choices!

[time space]

The newest Asus EEE model, the 1000HE (http://i.gizmodo.com/5144486/asus-eee-pc-1000he-and-its-95-hour-battery-life-available-for-375-preorder), is now available for pre-order (with an Asus $25 pre-order discount (http://promos.asus.com/US/1000HE/ASUS/index.html) no less).

The good news about this, is that since Asus tends to bring new models out at the same price points as previous ones, the older Asus models may be available at lower prices in the next month or so.

I'm leaning towards the HP Mini 1000 now that it has a proper processor and hard drive in it, and waiting for the price to go below $500 (it's currently available at $529 at Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10114073&catid=27003)) - it's got a 10in. screen and it's much, much nicer to handle compared to the Asus and Acer competitors - a beautiful design. Before you buy, be sure to go to a store and feel the differences between the competition. The technical specs are quite similar, but the actual machines are what you're going to be carrying around and working on for the next couple of years.

Also, here's some reviews and hands-on videos I've found in the course of researching this purchase:

First Look MSI Wind U120 (http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/01/first-look-msis.html)

Review: HP Mini 1000 (http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/review-hp-mini-1000-netbook-20090129/)

Hands-on with the Lenovo IdeaPad S10e (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/200901261249/hands-on-with-the-lenovo-ideapad-s10e-netbook.html)

Hands-on with the Sony Vaio P (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/200902011266/hands-on-how-well-does-the-sony-vaio-p-series-handle-streaming-video.html)

Hands-on with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/20081009979/hands-on-with-the-dell-inspiron-mini-9.html)

cNet's Best Netbooks (http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-3121_7-214-106.html)

[evanx]

The newest Asus EEE model, the 1000HE (http://i.gizmodo.com/5144486/asus-eee-pc-1000he-and-its-95-hour-battery-life-available-for-375-preorder), is now available for pre-order (with an Asus $25 pre-order discount (http://promos.asus.com/US/1000HE/ASUS/index.html) no less).

The good news about this, is that since Asus tends to bring new models out at the same price points as previous ones, the older Asus models may be available at lower prices in the next month or so.

I'm leaning towards the HP Mini 1000 now that it has a proper processor and hard drive in it, and waiting for the price to go below $500 (it's currently available at $529 at Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10114073&catid=27003)) - it's got a 10in. screen and it's much, much nicer to handle compared to the Asus and Acer competitors - a beautiful design. Before you buy, be sure to go to a store and feel the differences between the competition. The technical specs are quite similar, but the actual machines are what you're going to be carrying around and working on for the next couple of years.

Also, here's some reviews and hands-on videos I've found in the course of researching this purchase:

First Look MSI Wind U120 (http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/01/first-look-msis.html)

Review: HP Mini 1000 (http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/review-hp-mini-1000-netbook-20090129/)

Hands-on with the Lenovo IdeaPad S10e (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/200901261249/hands-on-with-the-lenovo-ideapad-s10e-netbook.html)

Hands-on with the Sony Vaio P (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/200902011266/hands-on-how-well-does-the-sony-vaio-p-series-handle-streaming-video.html)

Hands-on with the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 (http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/20081009979/hands-on-with-the-dell-inspiron-mini-9.html)

cNet's Best Netbooks (http://reviews.cnet.com/4370-3121_7-214-106.html)
Good links there.

The HP mininote 1000 seems to have a nice keyboard layout. The MSI U120 seems better made than the U100.

[ShadowVlican]

The newest Asus EEE model, the 1000HE (http://i.gizmodo.com/5144486/asus-eee-pc-1000he-and-its-95-hour-battery-life-available-for-375-preorder), is now available for pre-order (with an Asus $25 pre-order discount (http://promos.asus.com/US/1000HE/ASUS/index.html) no less).

The good news about this, is that since Asus tends to bring new models out at the same price points as previous ones, the older Asus models may be available at lower prices in the next month or so.
+1 i would wait for this and see how well it does

it's supposedly faster and more power efficient that current models

[fidoguydo]

Just picked up an Asus EEE PC 904HA. 8.9" display, 6cell, 160GB, 1GB RAM, same size as the 1000HA so it's got a nice sized keyboard. $399 at anitec.

Comparing it to my Acer Aspire one.. the eeepc is much better. bigger keyboard, multitouch touchpad (2 finger scrolling), easy access to RAM/HD, just take out 2 screws (instead of dismantling the whole thing like the Aspire).

The 6 cell lasts 4-5 hours for me. Which is a great compared to the Aspire, at about 1.5-2 hours.

The MSI Wind isn't bad either, but Asus EEEPC 904 is my current fav.

[ShaTR]

Thanks all.

Still seems like the 904ha is in the lead given the prices.

Will probably wait till the weekend to purchase so feel free to change my mind :lol:

[dnyc]

8.9" screen is a bit to small... 10" is just perfect. it fits everything on the screen much better compared to the 8.9".

[fidoguydo]

8.9" screen is a bit to small... 10" is just perfect. it fits everything on the screen much better compared to the 8.9".

They increased the physical screen size but the resolution stays the same, 1024x600.. So it fits the same on an 8.9" or 10".

[ShaTR]

8.9" screen is a bit to small... 10" is just perfect. it fits everything on the screen much better compared to the 8.9".

:confused: same resolution, no?

[Mardos]

The Dell MINI 9 is amazing.
I bought it for my little sister, installed Mac on it and shes enjoying it.
I ended up conencting to a External monitor for home use.
:cheesygri

[ShaTR]

The Dell MINI 9 is amazing.
I bought it for my little sister, installed Mac on it and shes enjoying it.
I ended up conencting to a External monitor for home use.
:cheesygri

hows the battery life though??

[vincent-poon]

the dell mini 9 is so not worth it. for the same money u can get some better choices. to upgrade to what the competitors have, its not worth it at all.

[time space]

Here's some additional links to add to your research list, a couple for the favoured netbook so far in this thread:

Asus EEE 904HA Review - (warning, biggg! review) (http://gadgetmix.com/index/?p=1428)

Netbook Review – Asus 904HA Eee PC - (Eee PC? Who named this thing?) (http://www.johnbatdorf.net/blog/NetbookReviewNdashAsus904HAEeePCEeePCWhoNamedThisT hing.aspx)



Plus another review for my own current favourite (albeit not for the 1035, but rather for the older version with the SSD):

Long review of HP Mini 1000 w/ tips and tricks (http://myhpmini.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=40#p90)

[Jon Lai]

Good links there.

The HP mininote 1000 seems to have a nice keyboard layout. The MSI U120 seems better made than the U100.

Doesn't the HP have a multilingual keyboard? <--yuck

[PCDawg]

http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/10-inch-netbook-faceoff.aspx?page=1

Battle between the 10"ers. The Samsung NC10, Lenovo IdeaPad S10, ASUS Eee PC 1000H, MSI Wind and HP Mini 1000.

What came out on top was the NC10 with the Wind at a close 2nd.

What is key is that you get one with the better screen and keyboard. Everything else can be upgraded (eg ram, hdd, wireless card )

[fidoguydo]

One annoying thing about the 904HA though, is the right shift key... I keep on hitting the up arrow instead. Even when I remap the keys by swapping them, it's still a pain..

[time space]

http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/10-inch-netbook-faceoff.aspx?page=1

Lots of good information in that article, though I question some of the author's conclusions - he shows some definite biases - not uncommon in the computer magazines which are often paid off by companies.



What is key is that you get one with the better screen and keyboard. Everything else can be upgraded (eg ram, hdd, wireless card )

I agree, though I'd add a third non-upgradeable key criteria - form factor.

These are netbooks we're talking about, yet there seems to be a definite plague of feature creep, that is beginning to make them increasingly indistinguishable from notebooks.

Who here doesn't remember seeing their first Asus EEE? I certainly do, and immediately saw how they were a distinct advantage over their big fat notebook brethern.

To me a netbook should optimally be under a kilo in weight, and the size of the machine should be the same size as the screen and keyboard. I prefer the HP Mini 1000 to the Asus 904HA for that reason - they are both almost the same dimensions, but the HP has a 10.2in screen compared to the Asus' 8.9in one. I wouldn't mind if the Asus was proportionately smaller. Also, as nice as the runtime is on a six cell battery might be, the 40% increase in weight is unacceptable imho, as it defeats the purpose of having a netbook in the first place.


Compare the specs of these three netbooks:

HP Mini 1000 - 10.30" x 6.56" x x 0.99" - 1.08 kg

Asus 904HA - 10.47" x 7.53" x 1.50" - 1.40 kg

MSI Wind 120 - 10.23" x 7.08" x 1.24" - 1.00 kg



My current dream netbook would have been the Sony Vaio P, if they'd bothered to put a proper processor in it (even the crazy high price wouldn't have bothered me too much if they'd put the same Atom Z540 processor clocked at 1.86GHz they have in it in Japan (http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11375&Itemid=1) - these are the specs a netbook ultimately should be:

Sony Vaio P - 9.70" x 4.80" x 0.80" - 0.68 kg

[ShaTR]

Lots of good information in that article, though I question some of the author's conclusions - he shows some definite biases - not uncommon in the computer magazines which are often paid off by companies.





I agree, though I'd add a third non-upgradeable key criteria - form factor.

These are netbooks we're talking about, yet there seems to be a definite plague of feature creep, that is beginning to make them increasingly indistinguishable from notebooks.

Who here doesn't remember seeing their first Asus EEE? I certainly do, and immediately saw how they were a distinct advantage over their big fat notebook brethern.

To me a netbook should optimally be under a kilo in weight, and the size of the machine should be the same size as the screen and keyboard. I prefer the HP Mini 1000 to the Asus 904HA for that reason - they are both almost the same dimensions, but the HP has a 10.2in screen compared to the Asus' 8.9in one. I wouldn't mind if the Asus was proportionately smaller. Also, as nice as the runtime is on a six cell battery might be, the 40% increase in weight is unacceptable imho, as it defeats the purpose of having a netbook in the first place.


Compare the specs of these three netbooks:

HP Mini 1000 - 10.30" x 6.56" x x 0.99" - 1.08 kg

Asus 904HA - 10.47" x 7.53" x 1.50" - 1.40 kg

MSI Wind 120 - 10.23" x 7.08" x 1.24" - 1.00 kg



My current dream netbook would have been the Sony Vaio P, if they'd bothered to put a proper processor in it (even the crazy high price wouldn't have bothered me too much if they'd put the same Atom Z540 processor clocked at 1.86GHz they have in it in Japan (http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11375&Itemid=1) - these are the specs a netbook ultimately should be:

Sony Vaio P - 9.70" x 4.80" x 0.80" - 0.68 kg

I like the wind but its 3 cell. as is the HP Mini from what i can tell. And i can't even find the HP mini 1000 on pricecanada.

6 cell is necessary, and best price is obviously important. But thanks non the less :)

[time space]

Who needs VGA out and cabled ethernet on the go?

These are netbooks we're talking about.

[Jon Lai]

^^ the idea is Sony decided to take those things out because you probably won't need them, just like how Apple took out the Floppy drive as early as before the turn of the millennium.

[time space]

For those who are on the netbook buying research trail - the best, most frequently updated, netbook specific blog I have found so far is:

Portable Monkey (http://portablemonkey.com/)

[time space]

^^ the idea is Sony decided to take those things out because you probably won't need them, just like how Apple took out the Floppy drive as early as before the turn of the millennium.

Shhhh... isajoo is going to be demanding netbook manufacturers add floppy drives to their designs too! ;)

[time space]

There was a bit of an RFD frenzy over the Staples deal on the MSI Wind U90 (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=696526) for $247 with coupons - but it looks like they're all gone now.

[ShaTR]

OK, so i finally bit the bullet and purchased the 1000HA from ncix PM'd for $449.97.

After adding a 2GB stick of ram, tax, and free shipping with 500 pts, total comes to $493.46 :D

I think the extra few bucks and 100 grams is worth the bigger screen.



Thanks to all for your input and advice :)

[dnyc]

great... how u liking it so far.. i got mine about 2 weeks ago.. and its been perfect

[Unicron]

Acer Aspire One 6 cell

[ShaTR]

great... how u liking it so far.. i got mine about 2 weeks ago.. and its been perfect

well, i haven't recieved it yet, as its being shipped. should probably get here next week. But i'll let u know how my sister likes it... After i play with it first :D



Acer Aspire One 6 cell

ew... less upgradeable and crappier keyboard than the asus i got. AND more money!! show me where i can get an aspire one 10" 6 cell for $472.49 shipped to my door. thanks but no thanks.

[time space]

I decided to go with the Lenovo S10 at $389 (RFD thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697095)), but I thought I'd quote (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697400&page=4) my idea of what a netbook is for posterity:

Is it really worth it to do all these kind of upgrade on a netbook. These thing can't be good for your eyes. I have a sony TZ which has bigger screen and i don't use it unless i have to. Why not pick up a 12 or 13.3 inch laptop, which is only about 4lb. I'm sure everyone's able to carry that much

p.s when i tried my friend's Asus 1000, the atom CPU is ridiculously slow

The difference that makes it all worthwhile is - the netbook form factor - as soon as you handle one you can feel it.

But you're right, at 1.6 GHz, the CPU's are definitely lower powered than than their notebook brethern (though coincidentally exactly the same as my 5 year old desktop). But just wait a couple of generations, the Atom will explode with capacity, paired with the correspondingly advanced Nvidia GPU of that near future - netbooks will have whatever computing power their user needs.

It will all finally come down to one thing: each individual information appliance user's preference of form factor.

You want huge? You want tiny? Or do you want anywhere in between?

Perhaps you've read my bestselling book... Form Factor: The Most Important Computer Buying Choice Of 2012!
.

[time space]

Bump.

[ShaTR]

Oh yeah, the update lol

Well, my sis loves the little thing. screen is nice and big, the touchpad is kinda cool and fun to play with.

The only annoying thing that her and I noticed, aside from the misplaced shift key, was the stiffness of the mouse buttons. touchpad clicking doesn't always register on most trouchpads, so we both like to use the buttons. They require quite a bit more force than other notebooks. A bit annoying but im hoping it will loosen up.

Other than that, great machine. with that 2GB stick, the thing flies while doing everyday stuff. havn't treid more CPU intensive tasks on it yet, but then again, why would I. Its a netbook. Does what it's supposed to and does it with some speed.

IMO, go with the asus 1000HE. Even longer battery life than the one i got, and a repositioned shift key. hopefully a better mouse button as well.