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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: iMav on Fri, 19 August 2011, 21:35:50

Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Fri, 19 August 2011, 21:35:50
In the market for a new netbook.  Would prefer a 10.1" screen with 1366x768 resolution.  Used to have an HP 2140 HD that I quite liked.  Is there a similar current equivalent?

HDD and ram must be upgradeable (probably put a fast SSD or hybrid drive in it and want to it to take at least 4GB of ram).  Reasonsble out-of-the-box Linux support for things such as wireless, sound, video, etc.

Anyone have personal experience with a fairly recent model that fits the bill?

(I can read specs myself, looking for real world experience)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: litster on Fri, 19 August 2011, 21:52:07
I would spend another $200 for a real computer unless you really need the portability.  AMD fusion based laptops would be good option as well.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Fri, 19 August 2011, 21:55:13
I have several "real" laptops.  I have specific use cases for a netbook with these specs...
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: SmallFry on Fri, 19 August 2011, 21:59:56
In my looking at netbooks (my parents wont let me buy one) I have found that the ASUS EeePC netbooks are the best for Linux, Windows, as well as OS X with  Hackintosh Compatibility Chart. (http://"http://www.mymacnetbook.com/compatibility-chart/) The way I was looking for netbooks was off of what was Hackintosh compatible. Make sure to tell us what you get. :smile:
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: digitalleftovers on Fri, 19 August 2011, 23:13:00
Hey,

I was just shopping for a lenovo, and was very interested in the Thinkpad X series.  They are 11.6" and have the new AMD fusion mobile processors.  Configured and shipped, you can get one for just over 400.  The cheaper one doesn't have the traditional thinkpad keyboard, but the new island version instead.  The higher end models (X220, X1) sound more like what you are looking for.  I ended up going with the thinkpad edge because I needed the optical drive.  I haven't tried one though =(.

Here is a link (http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?action=init¤t-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=135A781CA29B4ECB9ADAD8E72CF6FD61)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: sordna on Sat, 20 August 2011, 01:07:45
Quote from: iMav;402002
HDD and ram must be upgradeable (probably put a fast SSD or hybrid drive in it and want to it to take at least 4GB of ram).  Reasonsble out-of-the-box Linux support for things such as wireless, sound, video, etc.

If you will only run linux on it, 2GB is plenty, unless you run several VMs on the netbook. It's amazing how lean Linux is with memory compared with Windows.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 20 August 2011, 07:19:18
I've heard good things about the eee-PC's from Asus. I know somebody who was able to get over 20 hours of battery life out of his with Linux.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Sat, 20 August 2011, 09:11:04
Quote from: sordna;402069
If you will only run linux on it, 2GB is plenty, unless you run several VMs on the netbook. It's amazing how lean Linux is with memory compared with Windows.
As I mentioned above, I have specific use cases for my specified specs.  Not looking for alternate configuration suggestions.  :)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 11:59:46
Although defining it "netbook" is a bit offensive, nothing can be compared to a thinkpad x120 (and its keyboard).
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:12:33
Quote from: ripster;402300

The Solutor - do you OWN a X120e?


I had an X100e and later the Edge 11 (the European cousin of the X120) But looks like iMav is in the US so I suggest the X120e (cpu slightly less powerfull, GPU with doubled pwer, better battery lasting)

The DM1z is surely a good second choice if one can't afford a thinkpad.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: woody on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:19:59
Quote from: ripster;402300
Lenovo always charges more for their stuff while they coast on IBM's reputation.
QFT.

Quote
that CTRL key placement (which I guess is BIOS swappable)
Some models I checked once in a store had BIOS option to swap Fn and CTRL. Still idiotic placement.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:25:45
Quote from: ripster;402323
It also looks fugly.


Hahaha  the thinkpads design were designed in Italy by Richard Sapper who has more than a dozen of elements shown on Moma



The same who designed  the Artemide lamp and the  Brionvega Radio TS502

The Dm1z is designed by nobody, and has just the standard ugly Taiwanese netbook look...
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:32:30
Quote from: woody;402328
QFT.


Just the usual Ripster BS.

The actual thinkpads arent just on par with the IBM ones, are  better, and for the record are still designed in the former IBM research center, by the same ex IBM people.

Quote
Some models I checked once in a store had BIOS option to swap Fn and CTRL. Still idiotic placement.


What's idiotic in providing a choice.

Most of the hardcore thinkpad users wants the FN key on the traditional place, some other people like it on the right of the control button.

What's wrong in pleasing both ?
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: woody on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:38:26
@Solutor:  Dude, you're beyond repair.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:48:48
Quote from: ripster;402339
Radio?


Radio, you can find it in any design book, and in the houses of the poeople who understand the design.

Quote
Anyway, I think iMav is more interested in Real World feedback.


Then the opinion of a guru (http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/71431) can help. :party:
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:51:38
Quote from: woody;402340
@Solutor:  Dude, you're beyond repair.


Wannabe Troll...

You can safely remove the wannabe part
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: keyboardlover on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:52:15
Can't go wrong with the Thinkpad X220. I'm loving mine.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Sat, 20 August 2011, 13:55:10
Quote from: keyboardlover;402353
Can't go wrong with the Thinkpad X220. I'm loving mine.


Yeah, he can't, but the 220 is not exactly a cheap netbook. The x120 is not a netbook too, but at least it's close enough.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Tue, 13 September 2011, 15:36:17
Quote from: ripster;415644
Any luck?

I noticed you bought a Mac Mini but not exactly a Netbook.
Haven't made a decision yet.  The mini purchase was separate from this purchase decision.

Still looking for feedback and waiting for some new releases.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: yjhuoh on Tue, 13 September 2011, 16:22:00
what is your budget? have you considered one of those last gen macbook airs that apple has on clearance for $750? should complement your mac mini well.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Tue, 13 September 2011, 21:07:55
Quote from: yjhuoh;415688
what is your budget? have you considered one of those last gen macbook airs that apple has on clearance for $750? should complement your mac mini well.
I owned a last gen 11.6" MBA.  The battery life was complete crap.

I don't really have a price constraint.  Just want to meet (or exceed) my requirements.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: Oqsy on Tue, 13 September 2011, 22:24:00
I'm watching this thread and stealing suggestions for a netbook purchase.

I'm actually in the market for one for my wife.  She has a GW laptop that won't stop overheating.  I've taken it apart, all fans work, and the copper heatsink has been thoroughly cleaned and had silver paste reapplied.  It is a matter of time before it goes tits-up.  I've already copied everything to network storage, and will likely just set her up to work from that with her new system, which makes a netbook more applicable.  

One additional request above and beyond iMav's list, none of the glossy screened crap.  Who can see the monitor through all that glare??
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: csm725 on Tue, 13 September 2011, 23:14:09
x120e - matte, 11.6", dual core APU with iGPU > intel's. ~$500-600
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: sordna on Wed, 14 September 2011, 09:45:42
Quote from: Oqsy;415835
One additional request above and beyond iMav's list, none of the glossy screened crap.  Who can see the monitor through all that glare??

Completely agree, glossy screens are terrible. However there's one macbook, one of the 13" ones that has a glossy screen BUT also has an anti-reflective coating similar to what's used in eyeglasses. So it's glossy but the reflections are mostly absorbed except for a purple-ish hue. That's actually not bad, does anyone know of other net/notebook screens like that?
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Thu, 15 September 2011, 09:11:33
I think I may just sacrifice my desire for a 10" HD screen, go with a 11.6", and pick up the lenovo/thinkpad.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 15 September 2011, 13:58:35
Quote from: iMav;416477
I think I may just sacrifice my desire for a 10" HD screen, go with a 11.6", and pick up the lenovo/thinkpad.


No one will kill you because the AMD APU ?
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: csm725 on Thu, 15 September 2011, 14:53:01
I love my Lenovo x120e, it just has some odd glitches like BSOD when you put it to sleep, odd battery life management utility, and it also overheats pretty badly.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: Lanx on Thu, 15 September 2011, 19:35:54
Quote from: csm725;416732
I love my Lenovo x120e, it just has some odd glitches like BSOD when you put it to sleep, odd battery life management utility, and it also overheats pretty badly.
lol are you sarcastically diss'in the laptop? cuz random BSOD/battery mgmt and overheating makes a laptop into a paperweight.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Thu, 15 September 2011, 23:20:55
Quote from: The Solutor;416700
No one will kill you because the AMD APU ?
Consider it competitive research.  ;)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: dorkvader on Fri, 16 September 2011, 00:40:50
Lenovos are pretty much all a pain to repair. I'd highly recommend getting a Fujitsu.

Their T580 looks good, though I've not tried it personally. You'll also have to order a spare RAM chip, as it comes with a 2 GB stick plus "empty slot"

It has a core i3 or i5

It is also tablet convertible, if you're into that.

10" screen.
http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=T580

If you want to move up in size, the T731 is really incredible, and an absolute joy to repair, work on, take apart, etc. Everything in laid out nicely, and wonderfully. It also has a "full size" hard drive. It's 12" screen, though.

Make sure your Lenovo is not one of the many with the 1.8" HDD.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Fri, 16 September 2011, 01:19:26
An HP mini 210 series with upgraded screen and CPU comes pretty darned close to my requirements... Including a 1366x768 10.1" screen.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: csm725 on Fri, 16 September 2011, 01:35:46
Quote from: Lanx;416863
lol are you sarcastically diss'in the laptop? cuz random BSOD/battery mgmt and overheating makes a laptop into a paperweight.
No... a fresh Windows install fixes everything, Lenovo's included utilities are the best in the biz, and the laptop overheats a little on my lap, nothing compared to other laptops.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: Lanx on Fri, 16 September 2011, 02:46:11
man i saw a few 249 to 599 amd 1ghz dual cores from 10 to 15inches at walmart, yea i know walmart, there's no other stores in amish land. too bad most of these come with a built in dvd drive tho, that'd save even more weight, chicklet keys suck tho.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Mon, 27 February 2012, 16:55:01
Quote from: csm725;415847
x120e - matte, 11.6", dual core APU with iGPU > intel's. ~$500-600
Quote from: iMav;416477
I think I may just sacrifice my desire for a 10" HD  screen, go with a 11.6", and pick up the lenovo/thinkpad.
Quote from: csm725;416732
I love my Lenovo x120e, it just has some odd  glitches like BSOD when you put it to sleep, odd battery life management  utility, and it also overheats pretty badly.
Just received my x120e today.  Threw in 16GB of ram and a 128GB SSD.  Will be installing my linux distro of choice shortly.
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: sordna on Mon, 27 February 2012, 17:02:56
Congrats! But I'm curious, what do you need that much RAM for? It's extremely rare when my ubuntu box exceeds 2GB of RAM usage, I almost regret putting 4GB in there instead of 2 :-)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: iMav on Mon, 27 February 2012, 17:04:47
Quote from: sordna;528476
Congrats! But I'm curious, what do you need that much RAM for? It's extremely rare when my ubuntu box exceeds 2GB of RAM usage, I almost regret putting 4GB in there instead of 2 :-)
Had the ram lying around.  (was originally destined for another laptop, but ended up not using it)
Title: Netbook suggestions
Post by: The Solutor on Mon, 27 February 2012, 18:00:51
Quote from: dorkvader;416994
Lenovos are pretty much all a pain to repair.


basically the truth is just in the opposite direction.

The real strength of any Thinkpad is the availability of spare parts, including stickers, tiny screws and odd components.

The availability of the technical documents and even the training videos that explain everything about the part replacement or notbooks upgrades.

No other brand offer this. No matter if european, american or asian.