Discussion
Any good?
Last year's news?
I could do with something more portable than my laptop(s), one of which is a 12", but I need some of the computing stuff that they do. Combined with surfing, music and the odd video, is a netbook a good solution, or will I always feel compromised?
If anybody that has or had one can offer any observations, it would be appreciated.
I'm not ruling out a tablet, but I'm not yet convinced it'll satisfy my word processing/spreadsheet requirements - and a large part of that is probably down to the lack of hardware keyboard
TIA
Last year's news?
I could do with something more portable than my laptop(s), one of which is a 12", but I need some of the computing stuff that they do. Combined with surfing, music and the odd video, is a netbook a good solution, or will I always feel compromised?
If anybody that has or had one can offer any observations, it would be appreciated.
I'm not ruling out a tablet, but I'm not yet convinced it'll satisfy my word processing/spreadsheet requirements - and a large part of that is probably down to the lack of hardware keyboard
TIA
Tablet vs. Netbook - will you need to do a lot of typing or run 'proper' applications (spreadsheets, code editors, etc for example), as opposed to a bit of typing but mainly more passive applications (checking email, web browsing, watching videos, etc)?
If the former then I'd say a Netbook will probably suit your needs better, if the latter then a tablet may work better.
Either CAN be used in each situation but the separate keyboard/screen on a Netbook means you can set things up in a more comfortable way, not hunched over looking down on a tablet screen for serious typing and who needs the keyboard taking up space and limiting where you can put the screen to watch some videos?
From what you've said I'm guessing you are a bit of a road warrior who's trying to take some weight out of their bag so they shoulder doesn't dislocate ever time you pick it up but does sometimes need to re-write a proposal on the train/plane between client meetings because the goalpost have been moved.
For that I'd say a Netbook would be best and shouldn't be too much of a compromise vs. a proper Laptop. The main things you will notice is the lower screen resolution, so you won't be able to get so much of the doc/spreadsheet on screen while being large-enough to read as the laptop.
If the former then I'd say a Netbook will probably suit your needs better, if the latter then a tablet may work better.
Either CAN be used in each situation but the separate keyboard/screen on a Netbook means you can set things up in a more comfortable way, not hunched over looking down on a tablet screen for serious typing and who needs the keyboard taking up space and limiting where you can put the screen to watch some videos?
From what you've said I'm guessing you are a bit of a road warrior who's trying to take some weight out of their bag so they shoulder doesn't dislocate ever time you pick it up but does sometimes need to re-write a proposal on the train/plane between client meetings because the goalpost have been moved.
For that I'd say a Netbook would be best and shouldn't be too much of a compromise vs. a proper Laptop. The main things you will notice is the lower screen resolution, so you won't be able to get so much of the doc/spreadsheet on screen while being large-enough to read as the laptop.
I've setup a number of new netbooks and all I can say about them is that they are amazing VFM.
The hardware isn't really "up-to-par", but it's better than what we used 5 years ago in our computers. And that browsed ok, worked great with documents,...
The oh's is now 15 months old, and going very very strong, being used everyday and loaded in a backpack that isn't specifically equipped to carry a laptop, has survived several falls.
It's a Samsung N-series, and I think they represent great vfm. The only thing that I can say it misses is an integrated SIM-slot, so you can put your SIM in it for a 3G connection (still possible using bluetooth tethering/usb dongle). But the models that have them are all about 50€ more expensive. Which doesn't sound a lot, but it's actually 20%
So if you're in doubt: get one, the price doesn't hurt (about £200?) and imho you can always find a use for it.
The way I see the VS Tablet discussion:
Netbook: small laptop
Tablet: big smartphone
This of course is changing, as Win7 tablets have a lot more functionality than iOS/Android based devices. So they're a bit inbetween, but still not comparable in price.
The hardware isn't really "up-to-par", but it's better than what we used 5 years ago in our computers. And that browsed ok, worked great with documents,...
The oh's is now 15 months old, and going very very strong, being used everyday and loaded in a backpack that isn't specifically equipped to carry a laptop, has survived several falls.
It's a Samsung N-series, and I think they represent great vfm. The only thing that I can say it misses is an integrated SIM-slot, so you can put your SIM in it for a 3G connection (still possible using bluetooth tethering/usb dongle). But the models that have them are all about 50€ more expensive. Which doesn't sound a lot, but it's actually 20%
So if you're in doubt: get one, the price doesn't hurt (about £200?) and imho you can always find a use for it.
The way I see the VS Tablet discussion:
Netbook: small laptop
Tablet: big smartphone
This of course is changing, as Win7 tablets have a lot more functionality than iOS/Android based devices. So they're a bit inbetween, but still not comparable in price.
Doofus said:
I could do with something more portable than my laptop(s), one of which is a 12", but I need some of the computing stuff that they do. Combined with surfing, music and the odd video, is a netbook a good solution, or will I always feel compromised?
The only compromise I ever feel I've made with my netbook is that it can't play games.Doofus said:
Thanks all, pretty much confirmed my thoughts.
Yes, I need the pc functionality more than the ability to watch you tube.
Netbook it is then.
You won't regret it, but, like I said, biggest differences are in:Yes, I need the pc functionality more than the ability to watch you tube.
Netbook it is then.
1) Accu capacity (3/6cell)
2) Bluetooth
3) SIM-card slot
Other than that, pick the one that looks like the best deal.
ZesPak said:
Stevenj214 said:
The only compromise I ever feel I've made with my netbook is that it can't play games.
I'll add to that, some stutter with MKV files, but, like I said, mine is 1,5y old.
1080p playback is fine (although very much app dependent) through HDMI to a 42" TV, and can even play some of the older games like Crysis, Modern Warfare or Bioshock.
I was looking recently at netbooks for a friend, and it seems that there's barely any at the moment with decent GPUs - they're mainly using the relatively naff Intel GMA range.
I bought an Acer netbook that was excellent vfm and used it for a while but eventually I found that the small screen was just too much of a pain to use. I found I was using my smartphone more to browse as the ability to zoom made the small screen less of an issue.
I dug the netbook out the other day and it has spent its quiet time becoming even more useless - the battery is now completely and utterly dead
I dug the netbook out the other day and it has spent its quiet time becoming even more useless - the battery is now completely and utterly dead
Frik said:
I bought an Acer netbook that was excellent vfm and used it for a while but eventually I found that the small screen was just too much of a pain to use. I found I was using my smartphone more to browse as the ability to zoom made the small screen less of an issue.
I dug the netbook out the other day and it has spent its quiet time becoming even more useless - the battery is now completely and utterly dead
Well, I've been pretty good with my netbook, charging it EVERY workday for the last 15 months, the battery shows little wear.I dug the netbook out the other day and it has spent its quiet time becoming even more useless - the battery is now completely and utterly dead
Stevenj214 said:
The only compromise I ever feel I've made with my netbook is that it can't play games.
Mine runs Linux (Ubuntu) as the base O/S and it does struggle to start the VirtualBox windows XP VM I have installed on it (to run one application). It's fine once it's started up (the VM) but fine once it's done.Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff