Netbook recommendation

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wpcnz

94 posts

Master Geek

#85204 16-Jun-2011 01:27

Hi guys,

My sister is heading overseas on her OE and I'd like her to get a good deal on a netbook

As far as I know there's not that much difference between them, my guess would be to get one with a dual core processor, good battery, and 2GB memory.

What kind of things should I avoid?

Is there an overall best value netbook around at the moment, maybe something on sale at one of the big stores?

Any advice and suggestions are appreciated,

Cheers

heavenlywild

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#481697 16-Jun-2011 08:00

The HP option is pretty nice if you don't feel like upgrading RAM yourself:

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers/notebook-computers/netbook-computers/hp-dm1-3010au-11-6-...

$799

or the Acer option, but you will need to add more RAM

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers/notebook-computers/netbook-computers/acer-lu-ses0d-204-a...

$549

I would avoid netbooks with Atom processors, even the dual core ones. The two options above use AMD Fusion technology, which means faster processing and better for running HD videos.

Lenovo

Lenovo computer and accessories deals (affiliate link).

scuwp

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#481704 16-Jun-2011 08:27

Whats she going to use it for? Just wondering if one of the tablets, Acer A500 or iPad 2 if you have time to order one would do the trick?

If its just emails, pictures, web, maybe some book reading, or holding a music library a tablet would be much smaller for traveling and batteries last longer AFAIK

We have just been through the same exercise and we narrowed it down to the HP 3010 as mentioned by heavenlywild above, or a tablet at a similar price point.

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Robert J Hanlon

reven

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#481717 16-Jun-2011 09:01

http://www.google.com/chromebook/

these have just come out

vinnieg

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#481722 16-Jun-2011 09:07

The 522 is a great machine with the 1ghz AMD Fusion, faster than most of the D525 ATom dual cores and plays HD well. Only problem with that is 1gb isn't fast enough. I've bumped mine to 4gb and it runs nicely now

Not too hard to upgrade, basically, pop the keyboard out(4 tabs along the top), then unscrew the 4 screws and pop the base off

I got mine for $472.50 at Noels, you might be able to barter then down to that price or round $499 if you use Pricespy as a reference, just print off some prices before hand :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

nitrotech

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#481723 16-Jun-2011 09:08

This is a great netbook (10.1") dual core, 6cell battery super cheap

http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/shop/computers/portable/netbooks/hp-mini-110-3627tu-netbook/prod111273....

mudguard

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#481741 16-Jun-2011 09:58

Do netbooks come with more than 6 cell batteries, or is it overkill given that they're smaller and should use less power?

vinnieg

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#481747 16-Jun-2011 10:11

mudguard: Do netbooks come with more than 6 cell batteries, or is it overkill given that they're smaller and should use less power?

They can,
the 522 above can be upgraded to a D250/D255 battery as they are the same chassis
you can get 6/9/12 cell batteries off Ebay for them

Depends on how long you need it to last, mine lasts roughly 4-6 hours, but with a 9 cell would last 7-9, 12 cell almost 10-12

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

cyril7

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#481750 16-Jun-2011 10:16

I guess as the others have said it all depends what she is going to use it for, my guess, is web browsing, web based email, somewhere to push photos from camera for storage, maybe offline document writing (Word etc).

If thats correct then basically any netbook will do including a single core Atom. I have a basic N450 netbook running XP that I use for the above and also WiFi analysis tools and find it more than speedy enough for my uses.

Obviously if you want to use it to view HD movies then you will need something more grunty.

As for batteries, I would definitly go for a 6cell machine, as when your on the road its sometimes a longtime between hitching posts.

Cyril

toyonut

1508 posts

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#481810 16-Jun-2011 12:25

Also, what is the budget?
i have this one and love it it is good and solid an quite fast but plenty of cheaper ones now have the same specs. The battery just lasts for around 10 hours of use and the build quality feels bombproof.
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/samsung/mini-10-1-inch-250gb-netbook-sku-20854/

If she needs something that will be useful for daily use when travelling is finished, I would recommend stepping up a little to one of these.
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/vaio/yb16-series-11-6-inch-netbook-sku-20829/
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/dell/m102z-11-6-inch-notebook-sku-21039/

They are easily faster and much more usable due to better resolution screens and faster processors and graphics cards. They should be usable as a daily laptop if necessary. Battery life is still up around 5-6 hours and they are pretty portable. Too many programs need bigger screens to display everything and the better speed will help with playing with photos and video.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

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wpcnz

94 posts

Master Geek

#481837 16-Jun-2011 13:19

Thanks for the suggestions guys,.. Sorry I should have mentioned her budget is around $500, so one of the lower end notebooks. She already has a pretty nice Vaio from last year as her main/current laptop, but just wants something basic and convenient to travel with. I didn't consider a tablet/ipad, I will have a think about that too though.

I'll be looking in to the Acer 522 later on today

Cheers

toyonut

1508 posts

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#481838 16-Jun-2011 13:34

you will be pushing it a little to get a tablet for that price, but the Acer netbook is well within that price.
cheapest tablet deal I have seen for the moment is PBTech.
http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NBKACN6009&name=ACER-Tablet-Iconia-A500-Android-3.0-NVIDIA-T250-Du
$746 with a $100 e-gift which may or may not be useful.
Good luck computer trying and hunting.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B