Looking to buy new Netbook

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Looking to buy new Netbook

xXShuayXx

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#93335 18-Nov-2011 10:59

Hey guys, first post here :)

I started to snoop around for a new netbook recently and right now I have no idea how far netbook tech has advanced. I've been using desktop(s) at my home/office setup for the past 7 years and I pretty much haven't touched a laptop during that time.
So much to my lack of laptop knowledge, I need some advice for a new netbook.

I've recently found myself a new job as a Co-Manager and the desktop they provided me is... 256MB RAM (that says it all)... its quite ancient one would say.

I commute by bus to work (around 1hour 20min 7 stage trip) and I had borrowed my sisters 19" notebook a couple times... and it was a complete drag to carry that around with me, when I already had 2 bags. Thus the reason for the search of a netbook.

I use my desktop for pretty much everything, including gaming.

So if you guys got any tips for me, that would be great!

This is currently the specs I'm looking for -

- 10" ~ 13" Display
- Minimum Dual Core 1.50ghz (I just heard about the Mobile i7 Proccessor... are they currently available? Price? Also, would it be possible to replace a Dual Core netbook with that?)
- Minimum 2GB RAM upgradable to 4~8GB (Whats the current maximum ram for netbooks these days?)
- Minimum 350 HDD
- Decent Graphics enough to play 3D games.
'Other specs like TFT Colour, HDMI etcetc is a plus, but not really wanted.

I'm currently hoping to get one over these specs.
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers/notebook-computers/netbook-computers/sony-vpcyb36kgp-11-6-pink-netbook/prod113782.html

So give and share all knowledge you guys have!

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 81

#546828 18-Nov-2011 11:59

What's the most you want to spend?

rhy7s

673 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#546849 18-Nov-2011 12:28

Any of these suit? http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?l=s78702852&cols=1584,17,4461&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms#rparams=l=s78702861

xXShuayXx

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#546889 18-Nov-2011 13:55

tigercorp: What's the most you want to spend?

Ah, I forgot to mention the most important part :P

I'm thinking under $1000 if I can (best to the specs I want), but at most I would spend $1500.

cyril7

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#546894 18-Nov-2011 14:02

http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/XC7942/asus-u31sd-rx049v-notebook

Cyril

xXShuayXx

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#547291 19-Nov-2011 19:58

cyril7: http://dicksmith.co.nz/product/XC7942/asus-u31sd-rx049v-notebook

Cyril

Oh thanks for that cyril!

The specs on that looks keen as! Just what I'm looking for, pretty decent price I'd say too.

The 3.3kg sounds a lil heavy... is there a huge difference between 10" and 13" screens? I saw a Sony netbook (13") that only weighed 1.5kg...

Are you aware of any netbooks with the specs you linked me with weighing around that?

Thanks.

cyril7

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#547351 20-Nov-2011 08:09

Hi 10.1" you will find a little too cramped for using as a work horse, fine for casual browsing and just on the road, but a little too small for everyday all day.

Not too sure about the weight, but the DSE sight says its the packaged weight not the machine weight, so that includes the PSU and boxing. At the shown price this machine I suspect is at the budget end, I think you will need to spend closer the $1500 to get high build quality and weight.

Cyril

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

KennyM

221 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#547373 20-Nov-2011 09:45

I brought a dell 13inch, I cant remember what model it was now! But it was the thinest, lightest notebook on the market. This was about 3/4 years ago, just before the mac book air came out.

I got it for traveling, I found the laptop was easy enough to transport. It was the power supply that was the problem!

After that I got a 10inch Compaq mini. Which also has the powersupply issue. But its was also a LOT harder to get used to the keyboard.

I would suggest a 13inch for gaming, as needing to press a heap of keys etc (quake for example) is heaps easyier then the 10inch keyboards....Tho will still take getting used too after only using a desktop.

xXShuayXx

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#547556 20-Nov-2011 20:53

KennyM: I brought a dell 13inch, I cant remember what model it was now! But it was the thinest, lightest notebook on the market. This was about 3/4 years ago, just before the mac book air came out.

I got it for traveling, I found the laptop was easy enough to transport. It was the power supply that was the problem!

After that I got a 10inch Compaq mini. Which also has the powersupply issue. But its was also a LOT harder to get used to the keyboard.

I would suggest a 13inch for gaming, as needing to press a heap of keys etc (quake for example) is heaps easyier then the 10inch keyboards....Tho will still take getting used too after only using a desktop.

Tough, tough choices >~<

My boss recently got a 10" netbook, which really looks sleek and cool... but I would prefer a nice bigger 13"... but 13" is alot closer to a 15" notebook ?_?

Is 13" even considered a netbook?

KennyM

221 posts

Master Geek
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#548008 21-Nov-2011 18:12

back when I got mine 13inch was considered the smallest 'laptop' on the market, everything smaller was a 'netbook'

The smaller were (for example) 1.6gig processors, but once you hit 13inch they started with the duel core ones and optical drives

I haven't looked around lately, but one thing I would look out for is what type of harddrive its got.
Most laptops are 2.5inch. However for some reason mines at 2inch (or 1.8?) Sure its smaller, but when I went to upgrade (and found out what drive it was) there was no market for them, and the ones that were there were insanely expensive.