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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: nowsharing on Sat, 03 July 2010, 15:22:59

Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sat, 03 July 2010, 15:22:59: I'm in the market for a netbook at $250 or less.

I want one with a 10" screen, long battery life, and a weight of less than 3lbs.

I know the Asus models very well, but may be overlooking the other brands. I have had my eyes on this 1005PEG (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120568800448).

Anyone have a good suggestion? I'm currently using a 900A, and like it, but loathe the slow 4GB SSD.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sat, 03 July 2010, 15:43:15: That looks nice, but it's over my budget. I could spend more for sure, but $250ish is my self-imposed limit.

If only my connection could handle 1080p streaming...
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Sat, 03 July 2010, 15:48:18: Quote from: nowsharing;199070
If only my connection could handle 1080p streaming...

Been there, done that.

Let it buffer for an hour and a half and you'll be fine.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 03 July 2010, 17:38:00: Ripster: You got the "Intel(R) Atom(TM) N475 (1.83GHz) + Broadcom(R) Crystal HD Video accelerator + Intel(R) Graphics 3150 [add $40.00]" option, right?

In my experience, while a single-core Atom plays can back standard-definition video quite well in VLC, you can't get 1080p playback from a single-core Atom CPU without any video accelerator chip. The CPU is just not powerful enough. Even dual-core Atom can have problems with 1080p on its own.
If you plan to do streaming from any service that is based on Adobe Flash, then you need dual-core and/or accelerator even more, because Adobe's video subsystem is slow.
Adobe Air is even worse -- it lacks proper hardware support, so it can not even show DVD-resolution content properly even on a dual-core Atom.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 03 July 2010, 18:11:38: Get a Gateway2000 handbook (http://cgi.ebay.com/GATEWAY-2000-HANDBOOK-486-LAPTOP-PARTS-LOT-GOODIES-/370374625919?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item563c0c4a7f).
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Hb486_dillo_big.jpg/300px-Hb486_dillo_big.jpg)
Weighs less than 3 lbs, and they're less than $200. Sounds like just what you're looking for!
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sat, 03 July 2010, 18:41:00: 14.4 modem! I think the hotel I'm in uses one of those as their server.

It looks like the Broadcom Crystal chips are starting to show up on ebay. That might be a nice upgrade to whatever I end up getting, once the price comes down.

It's hard to justify upgrading a netbook though. I could drop $100 into a fast SSD for my 900A, but for a bit more I could just pick up a new model with better battery life and everything else.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Sat, 03 July 2010, 22:00:19: A lenovo ideapad netbook at $275:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/IBM-Lenovo-IdeaPad-S10-Atom-N270-Netbook-/190412503000?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item2c557837d8 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/IBM-Lenovo-IdeaPad-S10-Atom-N270-Netbook-/190412503000?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item2c557837d8)

Not sure how good it is.

I'd suggest something more along the lines of this though (and at $259!)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/IBM-5155-Portable-Personal-Computer-Powers-Up-/320483852487?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4a9e5380c7 (http://cgi.ebay.ca/IBM-5155-Portable-Personal-Computer-Powers-Up-/320483852487?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4a9e5380c7)
(http://www.kpsurplus.com/img/full/6d45cb16cddc0a4e0e0c89e1f2f6a376358b625c.JPG)
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sat, 03 July 2010, 23:28:59: Yeah yeah, it's over budget, but I'm loving my Thinkpad X100e so far. Meets all your criteria, except that the baseline model is $450+tax&shipping.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: williamjoseph on Sun, 04 July 2010, 00:08:06: Asus EEE PC 1000hd Linky (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=EEEPC1000HD-BKB-PB-R&cm_mmc=Pricewatch-_-Laptops/Notebooks-_-NetBooks-_-EEEPC1000HD-BKB-PB-R&utm_source=Pricewatch&utm_medium=ShoppingSites&utm_campaign=EEEPC1000HD-BKB-PB-R) I actually have the 900xp, and i love it. the 1000hd had no drivers yet for win 7 upgrades. neither does mine, also mine is a referb. No problems yet and i have had it for almost a year now.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 04 July 2010, 08:12:43: My 900A was a refurb too. I've had no problems with it either. The 1000xd would be a downgrade though, as it had the Celeron.

Quote
the 1000hd had no drivers yet for win 7 upgrades. neither does mine
Win7 is not a priority, but it would be useful if Ubuntu doesn't play nicely with whatever I get.

So far the 1005PEB is still my top choice. Some were listed at $207 BIN last week, so if that comes about again I'll grab one, unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Quote
I'd suggest something more along the lines of this though (and at $259!)
I could use a portable Nibbles arcade machine...
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 04 July 2010, 08:59:32: Yeah the resolution is my biggest complaint about netbooks in general. It's too bad that Asus didn't up the res for their 10" models. 1,366x768 would be a huge improvement. Definitely something to consider.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 04 July 2010, 09:24:44: Quote from: ripster;199293
Just make sure you can live with 1,024x600. My Adobe apps required at least 1024x768 and on my Fujitsu P1510d it was a real pain scrolling all the time.

1,366x768 is crisp and not cramped on a 10 inch.

On a 10-inch?! How could that not be cramped? 10-inchers should run at 640x480.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 04 July 2010, 09:26:10: Just found this Asus 1101HAB (http://www.cowboom.com/store/productDetails.cfm?contentID=671671): 11.6in 1366x768, for $230 shipped. It's tempting.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 04 July 2010, 09:30:12: I found one of the fast Gateway2000 handbooks (http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-2000-Handbook-HB486DX2-40-Mini-Laptop-/190408417339?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item2c5539e03b) you could get. It's got a 486! You'll just have to get an AC adapter and you'll have a real netbook.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Sun, 04 July 2010, 10:54:38: I couldn't find a Thinkpad in my price range. That would have been very cool though.

So I bought something! I offered $200 for this Asus 1201HAB (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230495046459), with a 1366x766 12.1" screen, and full-size keyboard.

It is not the best in the world, or even its class, but will be a nice upgrade. I can easily get R$400 for my netbook here in Brazil, so it's basically free.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Sun, 04 July 2010, 10:57:56: Quote from: microsoft windows;199304
On a 10-inch?! How could that not be cramped? 10-inchers should run at 640x480.

Do you actually not understand this topic?

Higher resolution = more usable space on smaller screen.

Lower resolution = hurr durr my mouse cursor is the size of my fist.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Sun, 04 July 2010, 11:26:12: Quote from: ripster;199343
Why are you feeding the trolls? For a while it was getting nice and peaceful around here.

Now it's YELLOWJACKET Summer! Buzz, Buzz.....
Show Image
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/4733166881_75e839e111_m.jpg)

Sorry, I couldn't resist. In my daily read-everything-posted-since-last-visit routine I hadn't yet realized exactly how bad he's being.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sun, 04 July 2010, 12:18:05: Lenovo sells Thinkpad refurbs:
http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkpad.html

No refurbs of the X100e though.

I love mine. :)
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: hyperlinked on Sun, 04 July 2010, 13:10:38: Quote from: kishy;199353
Sorry, I couldn't resist. In my daily read-everything-posted-since-last-visit routine I hadn't yet realized exactly how bad he's being.

That's why the ignore list is so handy.

Some users should be added to ignore by default.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: hyperlinked on Sun, 04 July 2010, 21:53:08: We have the weirdest trolls here. We have low entertainment value trolls. They don't even stir up much drama or controversy. They just stir up content-less responses by posting content-less responses. I can't quite figure it out.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 05 July 2010, 10:03:51: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;199359
Lenovo sells Thinkpad refurbs:
http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/thinkpad.html

No refurbs of the X100e though.

I love mine. :)

Are the keyboards any good? I'm really skeptical about lenovo's choice for chiclet keys and removing my ultimate favourite: the lavender enter key.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Mon, 05 July 2010, 10:06:08: Well, they're no MX switches. But they are among the best scissor switches I've used, the tactile point is very noticeable and very little mush. Think like a Cherry ML switch without the sticking issues, ~10g lighter, and a softer landing.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 05 July 2010, 10:22:42: Quote from: ripster;199662
Show Image
(http://i.ebayimg.com/23/!B)EOEug!Wk~$(KGrHqUOKnIEvyFrzKsmBML3Z3CMGg~~_35.JPG)

Haha - zoom in on the ebay listing pic and you'll see you won't have to worry about any hairs on your keyboard!

For $200 bucks to get a high rez laptop shows how technology keeps moving on. Except of course in Canada and the US RustBelt.

I find the gesture part of these Netbooks to be not Apple quality but good enough for occasional use. I still use a Logitech VX Nano though.

Microsoft windows & computer lab in basement are in the States. But I guess kishy and I are in canada... so that's 2/2.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: D-EJ915 on Mon, 05 July 2010, 15:15:09: You could probably get an old Sony T series for that much and they have a 1280x768 10.5" screen...mine is 1000x more solid than a netbook.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Mon, 05 July 2010, 15:17:17: Quote from: ripster;199669
I'm pretty sure Microsoft Windows and Computer Lab In Basement are actually the same person trolling away at each other.

Sure it's not MW and EIBM?

EIBM can't possibly be Canadian with some of the nonsense he spews about this country. Reminds me of Americans on TV talking about how we (according to such reputable sources as Fox News) wait in line for 4 hours at walk-in clinics.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: EverythingIBM on Mon, 05 July 2010, 15:39:48: Quote from: kishy;199710
Sure it's not MW and EIBM?

EIBM can't possibly be Canadian with some of the nonsense he spews about this country. Reminds me of Americans on TV talking about how we (according to such reputable sources as Fox News) wait in line for 4 hours at walk-in clinics.

I think it was longer than 4 hours last time I went to one...

I'd love to have MW's model M 5-2, and his old computers and floppies... one can only dream. Although he needs better games like heroes of might & magic II, Doom, strife, majesty, heretic, mask of eternity and whatever else. Still want a voodoo card for mask of eternity, stupid games that can only run with it.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Mon, 05 July 2010, 15:51:44: Quote from: EverythingIBM;199727
I think it was longer than 4 hours last time I went to one...

I'd love to have MW's model M 5-2, and his old computers and floppies... one can only dream. Although he needs better games like heroes of might & magic II, Doom, strife, majesty, heretic, mask of eternity and whatever else. Still want a voodoo card for mask of eternity, stupid games that can only run with it.

Yup, EIBM's American.

I dunno what kind of walk-in clinics you go to but my typical wait time (whole-life-inclusive) is 10-15 minutes. AND that's in a region that supposedly has a shortage!

I'd sell you a Voodoo2 but I love all 3 of mine too much.

(tip: when you see games specifying Voodoo, it's typically a Voodoo2 accelerator they want, not the newer full GPU cards)
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Mon, 05 July 2010, 15:55:02: Quote
he needs better games like heroes of might & magic II, Doom, strife, majesty, heretic, mask of eternity and whatever else
You forgot nibbles.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: nowsharing on Mon, 05 July 2010, 17:47:13: I just received a response from a seller that I messaged yesterday asking for the exact model and battery type of his netbook auction:
Quote
i dont know the model number at this time but the battery i dont know either. all i know about the battery is you plug it into the net book which plugs into the wall and then it will charge.
thank you
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Mon, 05 July 2010, 17:49:56: What an ass! I wouldn't buy from him.
Title: Netbook suggestions?
Post by: kishy on Mon, 05 July 2010, 17:55:13: Quote from: nowsharing;199771
I just received a response from a seller that I messaged yesterday asking for the exact model and battery type of his netbook auction:

LOL WUT?

(insert allcap filter cheating sentence here)