Netbook for college Time!

dlavrenz

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Joined

Jan 10, 2006

Location

Wisconsin

• Aug 17, 2009

• #1

Alright so I am building a new desktop for college but my mom doesn't feel comfortable with me not having a mobile machine sooo... Netbook!

Now I am kinda thinking Ubuntu or some sort of linux as this would be more fun
Uses would be all things college school work related so writing papers or checking email or powerpoint but nothing too intensive.

No real budget in mind atm but I am hoping less then 400 maybe

So what Netbooks would you recommend? I kinda like the Dell minis or Lenovo but I have no experience with anything this small

Thanks much!

 

UnseenMenace

UnseenModerator

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Joined

Apr 23, 2001

• Aug 17, 2009

• #2

The Dell mini's are pretty good as you can spec them up quite well, Im also a big fan of the Samsung NC10.
I've got an Asus which although reasonable is not a touch on either of these.

In terms of operating systems for netbooks I do not think you can get better than an intel sponsored Linux distro called Moblin

http://moblin.org/

 

Tserrof

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Joined

Nov 14, 2005

Location

UVic

• Aug 17, 2009

• #3

i'll vouch for the MSI Wind I have. the majority of netbooks are so incredibly similar that it's difficult to really argue one over the other. i bought the wind last month for the following reasons though:

price was right - $369 CAD before tax for 9 cell version
9 cell battery gives insane battery life. 6 and 3 cell options available
built in overclocking options
above average LED backlighting
good keyboard
sturdy construction

 

nd4spdbh2

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Joined

Nov 15, 2005

Location

Camarillo, CA!

• Aug 17, 2009

• #4

tbh for the price of a netbook you can have a 14inish screen normal laptop that will kick the crap out of the netbook.

That being said, as long as you have a good desktop, and you can find a good deal on a netbook go for it.

I have a dell mini 9, with a 8gb stec ssd, and 2gb of ram, and love it. but definietly would not consider using it full time. its great for taking notes in class and chattin on aim n whatnot, much past that however u will start feeling the slower atom 1.6ghz.

 

ghost_recon88

Senior Jedi Master

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Joined

Feb 12, 2005

Location

Michigan

• Aug 17, 2009

• #5

I just recently bought a MSI Wind U123 with the 9-cell battery, and I love it. It has the best battery life of any netbook out there now, and also weighs in at only 3.2 lbs with the 9 cell battery.

 

Dapman02

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Joined

Jan 17, 2008

Location

Overland Park, KS

• Aug 19, 2009

• #6

I recently bought a 1005ha and love it. I am not a big fan of shiny, but it looks great and performs just fine.

 

OP

dlavrenz

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Joined

Jan 10, 2006

Location

Wisconsin

• Aug 19, 2009

• Thread Starter
• #7

sweet thanks for the recommendations guys

 

hitokiri_808

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Joined

Jan 23, 2005

Location

Hawaii

• Aug 19, 2009

• #8

FTW http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download-netbook

I run it on mine. Runs better than the stock linux, and a lot faster than a striped down XP install.

 

ou_phidelt

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Joined

Mar 6, 2004

Location

Rockingham, NC

• Aug 20, 2009

• #9

I am eyeing the Gateway LT3103u. It is running the new AMD 1.2Ghz processor. 11.6" screen, full size keyboard, 2GB's ram, 250GB HD, and a six cell battery. What I have no clue of is how the AMD combo performs. A couple links leads me to believe the GPU is somewhat decent for the price but I can't find jack on the CPU. I have been searching but have come up empty. It seems pretty darn good for $379.

 

nd4spdbh2

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Joined

Nov 15, 2005

Location

Camarillo, CA!

• Aug 20, 2009

• #10

dell 11z is also an option and much better IMO than any netbook.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/inspiron-11z/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-11z&s=dhs&cs=19

uses the GS45 chipset and SULV celeron 1.2ghz cpu that will kick the crap out of the 1.6ghz atom left and right.

1.2ghz cpu 1mb cache 800mhz fsb
11.6" High Definition WLED Display (1366x768)
Intel® GS45 Integrated Graphics
2GB,DDR2,800MHZ,1 DIMM
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
28WHr Lithium-Ion Battery (3-cell)
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card
Integrated 1.3M Pixel Webcam

for 399.

 

ou_phidelt

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Joined

Mar 6, 2004

Location

Rockingham, NC

• Aug 23, 2009

• #11

Dang that is a pretty darn nice, it even has an HDMI output. Only downside is the battery. You would be lucky to get three hours out of it.

 

A

Ashura

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Joined

Oct 4, 2003

Location

NYC

• Aug 25, 2009

• #12

Agreed ou_phidelt, which is why the Acer 1410 is great. Matches the Dell specs while offering good battery life.

If you can go $50 over your budget, definitely recommend getting this over a netbook: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-A...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1251252690&sr=8-1

 

nd4spdbh2

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Joined

Nov 15, 2005

Location

Camarillo, CA!

• Aug 25, 2009

• #13

damn ya and its got a faster cpu!

 

juane414

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Joined

May 2, 2006

Location

Wisconsin

• Aug 27, 2009

• #14

The new Dell Zs have the best graphics in a "netbook" at this point. All of the Intel Atom netbooks have weak graphics, but the Dell 11z has a celeron with improved graphics.

The Samsung NC10 and the Asus netbooks are probably the best for battery life.
The HP mini's probably have the best design in my opinion.

 

A

Ashura

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Joined

Oct 4, 2003

Location

NYC

• Aug 27, 2009

• #15

Geez, they just jumped the base 11z price to $524! Definitely not worth it over the Acer at this point.