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Very Off Topic: Can anyone recommend a good netbook?
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Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Oct 16, 2010 at 12:35 PM
Hi, all,
I hope no one will mind too much if I pose this question. I want to get my wife a new computer for Christmas and I’m thinking a netbook will suit her well. She mostly used her current laptop for web surfing (Facebook, YouTube, etc…), instant messaging and e-mail. Though she also keeps her photographs on it, and occasionally taps into a spreadsheet.
We thought about an iPad, but she has tried one and does not think she’d like it. I’m looking to spend up to $500—but if there is a significant increase in quality, I’d be willing to go a little higher.
Thank you!
Steve
Posted by Ken
Oct 16, 2010 at 03:17 PM
Hi Stephen,
Its been almost two years now, but I have been very happy with my Samsung NC-10 netbook. It had one of the best keyboards, as well as good battery life and build quality. It has been replaced by newer models which I do not know that much about, but I would certainly consider another Samsung if I was shopping for a new netbook. I would also see what Lenovo and HP have to offer as well. They have been hit or miss with past models. Besides a good keyboard and battery life, I prefer matte screens if at all possible. This site tends to review a number of netbooks: http://www.laptopmag.com . There are other review sites, but this should get you started. Let us know what you decide.
Good luck,
—Ken
Posted by Franz Grieser
Oct 16, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Hi Stephen.
I know the Lenovo Ideapad 10e and the Samsung NC-10. I’d recommend either of them. Off course, both have been replaced by newer models about which I cannot say anything substantial.
Franz
Posted by Franz Grieser
Oct 16, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Sorry, I was too fast.
Both netbooks have excellent keyboards and long battery life. In both machines, it is easy to replace the original 1 GB of RAM by a 2 GB module.
With the Ideapads, you have to be careful: There are some that only have a resolution of 1024x576 instead of 1024x600, and the cheaper models have only a 3-cell battery (instead of 6-cell).
Franz
Posted by Chris Thompson
Oct 17, 2010 at 05:03 PM
I was thinking about buying a netbook earlier this year just to run org-mode. After shopping around a bit and trying different models, I found that the keyboard quality was really the make-or-break factor. Some keyboards are just unusable unless you’re a “hunt and peck” typist.
The keyboard I liked best was the ThinkPad x100, by quite a large margin. (I also liked the keyboard of the ThinkPad Edge, but if I recall, that was a bit larger machine—my memory may be off though.) Apparently none of the ThinkPad x100s have stellar battery life, but recent/pricier models have improved. I’d take that tradeoff for the keyboard.
Wonder if Apple will release a netbook-class machine on Wednesday.
—Chris