Can we talk about netbooks?

[ereks mom]

You might remember that ER's laptop was stolen from his dorm room this past spring. It hasn't been recovered, and we can't afford to shell out the $1000 it would take to replace it. :( So I have graciously offered to give him my laptop (which is identical to the one that was stolen). I will have a desktop to use at home. Obviously, I won't be able to take that to the library or coffee shop, so I'm considering buying a netbook--less expensive than a regular laptop, and considerably lighter & more portable.

 

We saw a couple of 10-inch netbooks at Sam's yesterday--one was under $300--and the keyboards were, I think, about 95% the size of a regular laptop keyboard, which is definitely something I would want. Just so you know, I would be using it for researching for homeschool (history, literature, art, music), as well as social networking (e-mail & Facebook), plus creating Word & Excel documents. I might occasionally stream a Netflix video, but I'm not a gamer, sand I don't do much picture editing, so graphics don't have to be *the best*.

 

So, netbook users, what features should I be sure to look for in a netbook, and which brands are especially trouble-free?

Edited July 17, 2010 by ereks mom

[StephanieZ]

I have purchased two Dell Inspiron laptops (new, not refurbished) over the last 7 months, each for about $450. Have you checked for cheap laptops? Mine are both the "15" which are currently starting at $379 on the dell website. If you look in their refurb section, presumably you can find even cheaper.

 

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/inspnnb/ct.aspx?refid=inspnnb&cs=19&s=dhs

[ereks mom]

I have purchased two Dell Inspiron laptops (new, not refurbished) over the last 7 months, each for about $450. Have you checked for cheap laptops? Mine are both the "15" which are currently starting at $379 on the dell website. If you look in their refurb section, presumably you can find even cheaper.

 

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/inspnnb/ct.aspx?refid=inspnnb&cs=19&s=dhs

 

Thanks, but I'm really interested in the smaller netbooks, since I will have access to a desktop with a large screen at home. I want something smaller than a full-size laptop for taking to the library and such.

[ladydusk]

I've had an MSi Wind since December of '08 and love it. It has gotten a daily, hard workout. I had to replace the power cord with a sturdier one, but other than that it is great. Look for battery life (I didn't have to, but I did replace the 3 hr battery with a 9 hr battery).

[Food4Thought]

I'm currently typing on an Asus AspireOne, and I consider this my best purchase of the year. I do a ton of homeschool research on it, write newsletters and blogs, and have even done Script Frenzy (100 page script in a month) on this little baby. It's easy to travel with, and the keyboard is a very comfortable size.

 

Storage has not been an issue (I have the 120 GB harddrive). My main selling point was a comfortable keyboard and Windows 7 Starter (which is optimized not to suck too much RAM out of the smaller systems). The price wasn't bad either - I think this was the $249 model from Costco.

 

I think most netbooks have just about the same specs at this point. My BIL has the Dell mini and it looks like a great machine as well.

 

Have fun shopping! :)

[Smithie]

I purchased an Acer netbook last year, and for me, it was too slow. If I were buying again for the same set of needs (surfing, email, reading eBooks, occaisional Netflix viewing), I'd buy an iPad.

[ereks mom]

I did consider the iPad. But I'll be doing a LOT of typing, and I don't like touchscreens; I want a REAL keyboard.

[ereks mom]

Thanks!

[Hockey Mom]

I'm currently typing on an Asus AspireOne, and I consider this my best purchase of the year. I do a ton of homeschool research on it, write newsletters and blogs, and have even done Script Frenzy (100 page script in a month) on this little baby. It's easy to travel with, and the keyboard is a very comfortable size.

 

Storage has not been an issue (I have the 120 GB harddrive). My main selling point was a comfortable keyboard and Windows 7 Starter (which is optimized not to suck too much RAM out of the smaller systems). The price wasn't bad either - I think this was the $249 model from Costco.

 

I think most netbooks have just about the same specs at this point. My BIL has the Dell mini and it looks like a great machine as well.

 

Have fun shopping! :)

 

I have an AspireOne too, and LOVE it. Mine's red. :D

 

I use it pretty exclusively for homeschooling, internet, and word processing. The battery lasts over 4 hours, and the best part? It fits right inside my purse. :D

 

The only 'con' is that it doesn't have an internal DVD drive. But we have a small external one if/when I need it.

[Melissa B]

We've had two Dell Inspiron minis for seven months. We haven't had any problems so far. They are quick and work well. I think they run about $300-$400, but we bought them when there was a Christmas special going on. There should be some good back to school specials over the next few weeks.

[AngieW in Texas]

We have the eeepc from Asus.

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-1005HA-PU17-BK-10-1-Inch-Netbook-Computer/dp/B002P3KMXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279478235&sr=8-1

 

We bought it for $270 before Christmas and gave it to the girls to share. The 12yo is the one who mostly uses it. It has gotten heavy usage around here.

[mom2jjka]

I have this HP one and I love it! It's fast, portable...and pink. :D

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=HP+netbook+%2B+pink&cid=4480012632610735996&ei=VX5DTNiPF4qU2QTQ-rnPCA&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p