Which netbook ?

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miamiheatfan

259 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#86548 8-Jul-2011 08:59

Hi guys, i'm thinking of getting a netbook to replace my desktop.
Silly I know , but I'm a university student and I do most of my assignment on the school's computer anyway.

Right now, i pretty much use my desktop at home for : chatting on msn (all the time) , FB, youtube , movie (dvd quality , sometimes 720p but rarely, i download shows regularly) , view PDF and .docx files , gmail , CNN etc. ...NO 3D gaming , only FB games and msn games (puzzles etc.)

Now i've done some research the past week on netbooks and right now i'm really liking the Acer Aspire One Happy as it has a 6 cell battery and a dual-core processor.

But i have a few doubts tho:

Is the screen big enough to read texts and webpages without squinting ?
Is Acer reliable in general ? I want it to last about 2 years. And what is the word-of-mouth on their HDD ? I don't want an HDD failure after just 1 year.
Is upgrading the ram hard ? Like picking out the RAM ..and ..opening the netbook (dnt wanna damage keyboard cable)
I can download Windows 7 Professional from UNI for free , ..will it be able to run smooth on this netbook? Will it void the warranty by installing a diff OS than the sticker on netbook? And will I lose webcam, wifi, and keyboard functionality due to driver loss ? if yes, where can i download the compatible drivers ?

JB Hifi is selling the Happy now for $487 , this is I take it the 1st generation Happy , not Happy 2 (just came out weeks ago) ....reasonable price ? I've looked at pricespy and this is one of the cheapest around.

If i can sell my desktop for around $600 that'd be great.

vinnieg

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#490928 8-Jul-2011 09:25

I'd actually recommend going for the Acer 522. 10.1" with 720P screen, well 1280x720 screen. It's a lot better. It has HDMI output, roughly the same power as the ATOM based chip, except with extra graphics power for gaming/videos.

The Acer Happy won't play 720P MKVs, it's just too underpowered. the 522 however will play MKVs. They can both be had for a similar price in JBHifi, I paid $472.50 for my 522 from JB. Can't hurt to ask if they can get it down to the same price as the Happy :)

Is the screen big enough to read texts and webpages without squinting ?
The screen on the happy is only 1024x768, so yes, pretty large icons tbh. 1280x720 is much clearer and sharper. If you want detail and sharpness, go the 522

Is Acer reliable in general ? I want it to last about 2 years. And what is the word-of-mouth on their HDD ? I don't want an HDD failure after just 1 year.
They use standard Samsung or WD hdds. so you shouldn't have any issue at all. Hitachi ones however are a bit prone to failure.

Is upgrading the ram hard ? Like picking out the RAM ..and ..opening the netbook (dnt wanna damage keyboard cable)
Not too hard, just be extra careful

I can download Windows 7 Professional from UNI for free , ..will it be able to run smooth on this netbook? It should run fine with Aero mode turned off

Will it void the warranty by installing a diff OS than the sticker on netbook?
No you won't void the warranty

And will I lose webcam, wifi, and keyboard?
No you won't, unless you are installing Linux or an unofficial Android version. But then you can just install the drivers separately.

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

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#494320 17-Jul-2011 16:22

ASUS 1215B is the one I'm looking to buy.
10.1 is just too small
They sell them at JB Hi-fi
Check out the reviews online, very nice unit

heavenlywild

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#494325 17-Jul-2011 16:43

Gemini: ASUS 1215B is the one I'm looking to buy.
10.1 is just too small
They sell them at JB Hi-fi
Check out the reviews online, very nice unit

I agree, it's a very nice screen size and does play 1080p video!

KennyM

221 posts

Master Geek

#494330 17-Jul-2011 17:32

just dont judge screen size by what you see in store.

Ive got a netbook with a 10inch screen. I have no problems at all with it, with the exception of viewing photos ive taken on my good camera (my normal camera is fine). screen is too small to view enough of the picture at the time.

I got it for lightweight while traveling, but its great just sitting on the couch reading stuff while watching tv.
its definatly slower then my desktop, but for what I use it for is fine.....with the exception that minecraft wont run on it!

The screen will ALWAYS look small in a shop, because it will be next too a 17inch laptop screen.
TV's are even worse for judging sizes on in shops.

jonb

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#494351 17-Jul-2011 18:51

Remember, when using it at home you can always plug in an additional monitor, so no neeed to squint when doing lots of writing on it.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#494354 17-Jul-2011 19:18

You don't want to ruin your eyes
I'd suggested putting the 1215B next to a 10.1
The screen is not only bigger, it's higher res

vinnieg

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#494370 17-Jul-2011 20:10

Gemini: You don't want to ruin your eyes
I'd suggested putting the 1215B next to a 10.1
The screen is not only bigger, it's higher res

But only slightly higher res than a 10.1" 522 :) which is 1280x768 vs the 1366x768, but say vs an even cheaper say $400 netbook at 1024x600, I get what you mean. I wouldn't go less than the 1280x768 res

I wouldn't class the 1215B as a netbook though, I've got an 11.6" 1820 and I think it's too large to be in the netbook category(too expensive too, paid $950 for it). I'd class it as a laptop with netbook power(in case of the 1215B) whereas I'd class the 1820 as an ultraportable, since it has the i3 chipset and gets things done faster than the AMD Fusion chipset

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

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

heavenlywild

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#494372 17-Jul-2011 20:13

A question. I am thinking of getting a netbook as well. Which ones can actually beam out 1080p? I know the screen resolution is maxed out at around 720p, but does it mean you can't get 1080p output if connected to a TV via HDMI?

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#505933 13-Aug-2011 10:48

vinnieg:
Gemini: You don't want to ruin your eyes
I'd suggested putting the 1215B next to a 10.1
The screen is not only bigger, it's higher res

But only slightly higher res than a 10.1" 522 :) which is 1280x768 vs the 1366x768, but say vs an even cheaper say $400 netbook at 1024x600, I get what you mean. I wouldn't go less than the 1280x768 res

I wouldn't class the 1215B as a netbook though, I've got an 11.6" 1820 and I think it's too large to be in the netbook category(too expensive too, paid $950 for it). I'd class it as a laptop with netbook power(in case of the 1215B) whereas I'd class the 1820 as an ultraportable, since it has the i3 chipset and gets things done faster than the AMD Fusion chipset

Due to the good screen res The acer 522 does seem like the one to go for if a 10.1 is big enough. If you want a biiger screen the 1215b has a 12" and is available with the same processor or a more powerful one.
is the acer/asus amd c-50 processor fast enough for lag free browsing and running multiple tabs?

killerteddy

50 posts

Geek

#505959 13-Aug-2011 12:53

I actually have an Acer Aspire One 522 listed on trademe to sell...
Upgraded to 2GB RAM which made it perform much better.

The AMD C-50 (1Ghz Dual-Core) inside can handle web browsing/multiple tabs nicely aided by the extra RAM I added.

Overall a very nice netbook for casual stuff but I'm letting it go because I just can't do my long uni assignments on it...

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#506206 14-Aug-2011 11:37

killerteddy: I actually have an Acer Aspire One 522 listed on trademe to sell...
Upgraded to 2GB RAM which made it perform much better.

The AMD C-50 (1Ghz Dual-Core) inside can handle web browsing/multiple tabs nicely aided by the extra RAM I added.

Overall a very nice netbook for casual stuff but I'm letting it go because I just can't do my long uni assignments on it...

Was curious what the specific reason for upgrading was?
Bigger screen? Faster processor?

killerteddy

50 posts

Geek

#506233 14-Aug-2011 13:01

Gemini:
killerteddy: I actually have an Acer Aspire One 522 listed on trademe to sell...
Upgraded to 2GB RAM which made it perform much better.

The AMD C-50 (1Ghz Dual-Core) inside can handle web browsing/multiple tabs nicely aided by the extra RAM I added.

Overall a very nice netbook for casual stuff but I'm letting it go because I just can't do my long uni assignments on it...

Was curious what the specific reason for upgrading was?
Bigger screen? Faster processor?

Not quite sure what you mean.

I have an Acer 522 and I switched the RAM (1GB) that came with the netbook to a 2GB RAM.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#506234 14-Aug-2011 13:07

killerteddy:
Gemini:
killerteddy: I actually have an Acer Aspire One 522 listed on trademe to sell...
Upgraded to 2GB RAM which made it perform much better.

The AMD C-50 (1Ghz Dual-Core) inside can handle web browsing/multiple tabs nicely aided by the extra RAM I added.

Overall a very nice netbook for casual stuff but I'm letting it go because I just can't do my long uni assignments on it...

Was curious what the specific reason for upgrading was?
Bigger screen? Faster processor?

Not quite sure what you mean.

I have an Acer 522 and I switched the RAM (1GB) that came with the netbook to a 2GB RAM.

What are you using to do your long uni assignments - a laptop?

killerteddy

50 posts

Geek

#506237 14-Aug-2011 13:09

Oh

Yea, just want to get a laptop with a bigger screen >15".

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek

#506246 14-Aug-2011 13:44

plenty of options in the 15 inch laptop category, you can actualy get the same AMD C-50 processor you liked