Who has a netbook? - Page 10

Xiaopanda · 05-28-2009, 11:44 PM

I have an ACER Aspire One.

I got that one because it has 160 Gb hard drive
It came with a free upgrade to 2 Gig RAM
It was cheap (about $500 SGD, I think a bit less)
It has a 10.1 " screen.
The screen is clear and crisp and handles Vid very well.
It has a good sized keyboard
It came with a 6 cell battery, meaning 6 hours of life away from the plug
It came with Windows XP
Wifi
Bluetooth (Though I don't use this)
Ethernet
It is light (just over 1.5 Kg)
I can put it in my bag and take it everywhere!

So when I travel (which I do a lot) I can take it and either hop in a wireless hotspot or connect to Broadband in a hotel, easy as!

Was invaluable when I went to Germany, same in Bankok etc.... Just an adjunt to my desktop, I keep it on a side table next to the couch and flick it on to check something on the web or Email whenever I feel like it....

Also use it for Digital comics (X-men still rule), as the screen is a great size when rotated 90 deg. thanks to am EEC app.

4-eyes · 05-29-2009, 11:59 AM

Do you like/love it?

Netbooks are great - they offer most of what a laptop can do in a much smaller, lighter package. Perfect if you are travelling, also handy as a second PC in the house. Or often even as a main PC if you attach a USB keyboard/mouse and external monitor.

Do you read your books on it? How is that experience?

Not really, I use my Sony 505 reader. You can read eBooks of course but they suffer from the same problems as reading them off any regular LCD screen and it's compounded by the often lower resolution (1024x600 is common) which limits the number of lines of text onscreen at any one time.

What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory)

Depending on the Netbook there isn't really a lack of storage or memory. They will typically take standard 2.5" drives and >1gig of memory, the same as any laptop. The real downsides are a smaller than average screen and a smaller keyboard.

IMO these are acceptable when travelling and can be alleviated by external keyboard/mouse/monitor setup when used at home.

Which one do you have? Why did you get that particular one?

I have two - Samsung NC10 and Acer Aspire One. Got the NC10 because it was best in class (battery life, build quality, screen, keyboard) and later picked up the Acer when I saw it available in a fantastic clearance deal, just couldn't pass it up. The Acer isn't as good as the Samsung overall but it is smaller and is just as capable for computing on. I would recommend either.

what is your power source, do you have to find a 'hot spot' for free internet access when you are out an about?

Power source is either battery or mains, as suits the conditions, the same as any laptop.

There are quite a few hotspots around but I often as a 3G dongle for wireless broadband.

montsnmags · 06-01-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have the Dell myself, Marc. An excellent choice.

I saw in recent days that Dell have discontinued the Mini 9. Ah, well, I'm not up for a new device yet anyway. I hope when I am, a satisfactory 9" device is around, as it seemed about the right spot for me.

Cheers,
Marc

astra · 06-01-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory

1G RAM is not enough for XP/Linux? Most of the current one are upgradable to 2G which would be enough even for Vista.

160G storage is not enough, considering it is a not a desktop?

I bought Asus eeepc 1000 HE 1 week ago.
The only downside so far is space key. A bit too close to touch pad and not protruding up enough for my right thumb.
Otherwise....it does what it should. Got bluetooth mouth for it, so I don't need dongles and all USB slots are free.
Tomorrow I am planning to
1. Create an image of the corrent config.
2. re-install everything from a scratch, partitioning HD the way I like it and installing XP Pro.
3. create an image of a new system

Why

Quote:

I wouldn't be doing anything that required security on one, no banking or anything.

?
It is as secure as any desktop/laptop out there. It is by no means a downgraded version of them.
I bought mine because I believe it is the best you can buy today.

It is not a necessity. It is a very nice toy. Toy that makes your life a bit more comfortable and if you have a few spare £/$, why not to indulge yourself and get a feel of why you work everyday and earn money[hint* to make your life more comfortable when away from work?]
My wife adores it, because it is so light. She can spend an hour or two with it on her laps and don't feel tired as she does with her 15.4" laptop. I know for a fact that some people work on them, for example, write code or lesson plans. I am not sure I would do it. The screen is too small for me to do any actual work but to read a technical PDF ebook in any position you like instead of riggidly staring at your desktop screen? or surf the Internet or read forums/news? Netbook is a winner in this area.

desertgrandma · 06-01-2009, 02:52 PM

Thank you Astra.

Now,.......something that I'm confused about.

You mentioned a "bluetooth" mouse,

How does that work, exactly? If there is no USB plug in?

astra · 06-01-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

If there is no USB plug in?

My turn to be confused

What do you mean?

I will try to answer maybe I will hit the right spot.
In my netbook(Asus Eee PC 1000 HE) there are 3 USB ports, so it not really a problem vs. when you have only 2 ports. However, if you use USB wireless mouse, you need a USB dongle. Logitech line nano, is very good at it and the dongle is truly miniscule, but if you can avoid using any dongle, why not?

I bought bluetooth mouse. My netbook has a bluetooth receiver built-in. So, no external part for my wireless bluetooth mouse. (Why wireless bluetooth? Can bluetooth be wired? I never used bluetooth gadgets before)

astra · 06-01-2009, 03:41 PM

My my ...how do you understand me?
Bluetooth mouTH? *hangs his head in shame*

desertgrandma · 06-01-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

My my ...how do you understand me?
Bluetooth mouTH? *hangs his head in shame*

Nah, I understood what you meant. I'm not making myself clear.

I have a logitech vxnano mouse with the tiny receiver for my laptop.......I love it.

How does the bluetooth mouse connect? How does it know?

Do you just hold it in front of the laptop, and let it 'sniff' its way home?

(just kidding here)

I guess i'm just not understanding the bluetooth stuff.

astra · 06-01-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Nah, I understood what you meant. I'm not making myself clear.

I have a logitech vxnano mouse with the tiny receiver for my laptop.......I love it.

How does the bluetooth mouse connect? How does it know?

Do you just hold it in front of the laptop, and let it 'sniff' its way home?

(just kidding here)

I guess i'm just not understanding the bluetooth stuff.

Got the same Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse a month ago for my wife's laptop. Almost bought the same for my netbook before I realised that I can get away without any external receiver.
Bluetooth receiver is built-in into netbook, just like wireless NIC. You simply don't see it. There is bluetooth icon in control panel, you just tell it to sniff around, it finds the mouse and asks you whether you would like to add this particular bluetooth device to the list of other(if any but none in my case) bluetooth devices your netbook is associated with. That's it. Mind you, I am telling it off the top of my head, I have done it only one time in my life a few days ago

desertgrandma · 06-01-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

Got the same Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse a month ago for my wife's laptop. Almost bought the same for my netbook before I realised that I can get away without any external receiver.
Bluetooth receiver is built-in into netbook, just like wireless NIC. You simply don't see it. There is bluetooth icon in control panel, you just tell it to sniff around, it finds the mouse and asks you whether you would like to add this particular bluetooth device to the list of other(if any but none in my case) bluetooth devices your netbook is associated with. That's it. Mind you, I am telling it off the top of my head, I have done it only one time in my life a few days ago

Got it. Now.......won't this affect your battery life?

Can't you turn the bluetooth aspect on and off to save the battery?

astra · 06-01-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Got it. Now.......won't this affect your battery life?

Can't you turn the bluetooth aspect on and off to save the battery?

Hmm. I am not sure. I think you can do it. But then your USB mouse will eat up your battery instead?

desertgrandma · 06-01-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

Hmm. I am not sure. I think you can do it. But then your USB mouse will eat up your battery instead?

Yes, of course. I'm just wondering, if turning off the bluetooth and just using a receiver like the nano would make a difference.
I'm so clueless about this ........I know what I want to say just can't figure out the proper terminology!

astra · 06-01-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Yes, of course. I'm just wondering, if turning off the bluetooth and just using a receiver like the nano would make a difference.
I'm so clueless about this ........I know what I want to say just can't figure out the proper terminology!

Cuess, we are in the same boat.
Cannot answer this question, because I am clueless about how much bluetooth consumes power.

desertgrandma · 06-01-2009, 04:30 PM

We'll ask the experts...check here.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...hlight=netbook

deavod · 06-19-2009, 11:01 PM

I just picked up a Lenovo S10 and a few enhancements -- that are still on the way. I'm upgrading to 2GB RAM from the stock 1GB, and adding a SD card to back up my Sony 505 onto.

Do you like/love it?

Love

Do you read your books on it? How is that experience?

Tried that, but the Sony 505 is way better.

What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory)

Actually the S10 has a 160GB drive in it so there's enough storage and room to install your usual office products and email.

The screen is 1024x600 though so there is a lack of screen real estate. But what can you expect from a 10" netbook?

Which one do you have? Why did you get that particular one?

Lenovo S10. Should cost about $330 as of June 2009.

what is your power source, do you have to find a 'hot spot' for free internet access when you are out an about?

I tether to my Pocket PC which has 3g.

One more thing. I'm running Windows 7 RC1 and Office 2007 on this netbook. It boots from hibernate to desktop in about 20 - 25 seconds. That's with 1GB RAM and a standard HD, not a SDHD. Upgrading to a 2GB stick and a SDHD should make this netbook scream.

05-28-2009, 11:44 PM	#136
Xiaopanda Addict Posts: 230 Karma: 1290 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Brisbane Australia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I have an ACER Aspire One. I got that one because it has 160 Gb hard drive It came with a free upgrade to 2 Gig RAM It was cheap (about $500 SGD, I think a bit less) It has a 10.1 " screen. The screen is clear and crisp and handles Vid very well. It has a good sized keyboard It came with a 6 cell battery, meaning 6 hours of life away from the plug It came with Windows XP Wifi Bluetooth (Though I don't use this) Ethernet It is light (just over 1.5 Kg) I can put it in my bag and take it everywhere! So when I travel (which I do a lot) I can take it and either hop in a wireless hotspot or connect to Broadband in a hotel, easy as! Was invaluable when I went to Germany, same in Bankok etc.... Just an adjunt to my desktop, I keep it on a side table next to the couch and flick it on to check something on the web or Email whenever I feel like it.... Also use it for Digital comics (X-men still rule), as the screen is a great size when rotated 90 deg. thanks to am EEC app. Last edited by Xiaopanda; 05-28-2009 at 11:47 PM.

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05-29-2009, 11:59 AM	#137
4-eyes Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-300	Do you like/love it? Netbooks are great - they offer most of what a laptop can do in a much smaller, lighter package. Perfect if you are travelling, also handy as a second PC in the house. Or often even as a main PC if you attach a USB keyboard/mouse and external monitor. Do you read your books on it? How is that experience? Not really, I use my Sony 505 reader. You can read eBooks of course but they suffer from the same problems as reading them off any regular LCD screen and it's compounded by the often lower resolution (1024x600 is common) which limits the number of lines of text onscreen at any one time. What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory) Depending on the Netbook there isn't really a lack of storage or memory. They will typically take standard 2.5" drives and >1gig of memory, the same as any laptop. The real downsides are a smaller than average screen and a smaller keyboard. IMO these are acceptable when travelling and can be alleviated by external keyboard/mouse/monitor setup when used at home. Which one do you have? Why did you get that particular one? I have two - Samsung NC10 and Acer Aspire One. Got the NC10 because it was best in class (battery life, build quality, screen, keyboard) and later picked up the Acer when I saw it available in a fantastic clearance deal, just couldn't pass it up. The Acer isn't as good as the Samsung overall but it is smaller and is just as capable for computing on. I would recommend either. what is your power source, do you have to find a 'hot spot' for free internet access when you are out an about? Power source is either battery or mains, as suits the conditions, the same as any laptop. There are quite a few hotspots around but I often as a 3G dongle for wireless broadband.

06-01-2009, 02:52 PM	#140
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Thank you Astra. Now,.......something that I'm confused about. You mentioned a "bluetooth" mouse, How does that work, exactly? If there is no USB plug in?

06-01-2009, 03:41 PM	#142
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	My my ...how do you understand me? Bluetooth mouTH? hangs his head in shame

06-01-2009, 04:30 PM	#149
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	We'll ask the experts...check here. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...hlight=netbook

06-19-2009, 11:01 PM	#150
deavod Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Device: PRS 505	I just picked up a Lenovo S10 and a few enhancements -- that are still on the way. I'm upgrading to 2GB RAM from the stock 1GB, and adding a SD card to back up my Sony 505 onto. Do you like/love it? Love Do you read your books on it? How is that experience? Tried that, but the Sony 505 is way better. What are the downsides? (Besides the obvious lack of storage/memory) Actually the S10 has a 160GB drive in it so there's enough storage and room to install your usual office products and email. The screen is 1024x600 though so there is a lack of screen real estate. But what can you expect from a 10" netbook? Which one do you have? Why did you get that particular one? Lenovo S10. Should cost about $330 as of June 2009. what is your power source, do you have to find a 'hot spot' for free internet access when you are out an about? I tether to my Pocket PC which has 3g. One more thing. I'm running Windows 7 RC1 and Office 2007 on this netbook. It boots from hibernate to desktop in about 20 - 25 seconds. That's with 1GB RAM and a standard HD, not a SDHD. Upgrading to a 2GB stick and a SDHD should make this netbook scream.