Do you own a netbook?

[johnnymk]

Why did you buy it instead of a notebook?

Are you satisfied with it?

[ray]

I purchased an Acer Aspire One to complement my 12" notebook, but ever since I started using the netbook it has completely replaced my other laptop. I brought the netbook with me while I traveled through Europe and it was able to handle some photo processing, Microsoft Office, and basic internet usage. These days, that is all I use a computer for.

[mcs328]

Bought a Dell Mini 10 to replace my wife's older Dell Inpiron 1505. We had a $100 off coupon and there was I think a 7% off the price of the netbook. Her other laptop was noticeably heavier when surfing on the bed or at other peoples houses. The netbook is underpowered for sure like videos on Hulu but youtube is fine. Games like gunbound are acceptable. Once I get MS Office on it, it should be a complete replacement for everything she uses it for although she has access to Google Docs.

[MrGreg]

I've got an aspire one running ubuntu 9.04 w/ netbook remix.

I love it. I use it for couch side browsing and for streaming pandora at work. It's also small enough to take traveling without having to bring a huge laptop bag.

I couldn't get away with it as my only computer, but for supplemental browsing it's awesome.

[Devhux]

I have an MSI Wind U100 netbook, and it's currently running Windows 7 (build 7100). I did upgrade the RAM to 2GB, but as long as I'm not doing anything too processor intensive, it runs fairly well.... just don't connect it to an external 24" monitor and expect smooth Aero performance!

Only thing I don't like about my netbook is the 3-cell battery that came with it. Less than 2 hours on a charge is not my idea of fun.

[mcs328]

Mine is running XP and I got the 6 cell battery which last at least 4 hours. However all the components are hard to get to and the 1 gig RAM is soldered on. =(

[Jeffbx]

I bought a Dell Mini 9 to use as a floater here at work - upgraded it to 2GB & put XP Pro on it. It works like a champ, and people really like it if all they're doing is email & office apps.

[Devhux]

Mine is running XP and I got the 6 cell battery which last at least 4 hours. However all the components are hard to get to and the 1 gig RAM is soldered on. =(

If you're referring to the MSI Wind, you can only upgrade it to 2GB anyways, and if you buy a 2GB SODIMM (really cheap), you can toss that one in the expansion bay and it will simply disable the onboard RAM.

I do agree that the components are hard to get to on the Wind - you have to remove the entire back cover to do any upgrades.

[attgig]

http://sellout.woot.com/Default.aspx?WootSaleId=9252&ts=1247163018&sig=938ff4575d99302b

Asus Eee PC 900 Netbook with 1.6GHz Atom Processor
$169.99 * + $5 shipping


if anyone's thinking about it. seems like a good deal.

or the black version for 25 bucks cheaper (using ebillme):

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10010514&prodlist=celebros

(credit to fw for the deal)

[bachviet]

I'm waiting for the next generation of netbooks with Nvida Ion chipset and graphic processor.

[Nija]

I have no knowledge of these things.

Are they notebook-lite? I mean, are they just for surfing the web and maybe some MS Office-ing?

[Showtime]

I read an article where dude thought netbooks wouldn't be around long. Not powerful enough and ultra portables like cell phones can or will do most of what netbooks do.
I disagree. Netbooks are getting to be really popular right now and manufacturers will figure out how to make them more powerful. Cell phone screens are too small. People will continue to want netbook sized products just for the kb and larger screen imo.

[mcs328]

If you're referring to the MSI Wind, you can only upgrade it to 2GB anyways, and if you buy a 2GB SODIMM (really cheap), you can toss that one in the expansion bay and it will simply disable the onboard RAM.

I do agree that the components are hard to get to on the Wind - you have to remove the entire back cover to do any upgrades.

It's a Dell Mini 10.

[smeakim]

I have an ASUS Itel Atom Processor with 1gb of ram, 120gb hard drive and 10" screen. It runs windows XP and ubuntu. Its a great little machine. I can upgrade it to 2gb of RAM as well. I have watched movies on it, dialed into work with vpn, and it get close to 8 hours of runtime (not doing video of course). Intel wirelss and bluetooth its great in my opinion.

[Jeffbx]

I have no knowledge of these things.

Are they notebook-lite? I mean, are they just for surfing the web and maybe some MS Office-ing?

Yes - very small & light & cheap & not powerful. Perfect for surfing & basic office apps. Also some can be modded to run Mac OSX, if that floats your boat.

[eSDee]

Yes - very small & light & cheap & not powerful. Perfect for surfing & basic office apps. Also some can be modded to run Mac OSX, if that floats your boat.

Can you provide some info about running Mac OSX on it? Is there anything out there newer than this option?

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/it-lives-gadget/

[Jcranmer]

I bought a Dell Mini 9 to use as a floater here at work - upgraded it to 2GB & put XP Pro on it. It works like a champ, and people really like it if all they're doing is email & office apps.

We have the same machine, except we went with Ubuntu. It's now darn near the only computer my wife uses. With a little work you can do everything with it and not miss XP at all.

[Airencracken]

We have the same machine, except we went with Ubuntu. It's now darn near the only computer my wife uses. With a little work you can do everything with it and not miss XP at all.

I use Ubuntu on my desktop and my Laptop (old and not a netbook) every day. Linux is fantastic.

[aliensong]

I like to use desktop computer then notebook. Since the whole performance then notebook.

[Jeffbx]

Can you provide some info about running Mac OSX on it? Is there anything out there newer than this option?

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/it-lives-gadget/

I don't keep up with it that closely, but just google 'hackintosh'. Everything you need to know!

[mkmcgregor]

Can you provide some info about running Mac OSX on it? Is there anything out there newer than this option?

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/it-lives-gadget/

It is possible, but illegal :bandit: . There are many bit torent cracked versions of the OS that will load. You need to find one and download; and hope that it's not loaded with any malware. All netbooks are just PCs, so pretty much any x86 OS will load. However, don't expect to order a real copy of OSX and install it natively. That only works on Apple branded x86 hardware. It does work and a friend does have it installed and running. Expect some work gettig it installed, since the process usually takes multiple iterations/reboot/patches. Also, it's common for auto-updates coming from Apple to not work or stop working on "patched" versions, so once installed, don't count on any updates; althought the hackers I'm sure continue to patch that as well.

In ansewer to your "What's next?" quations, there are also some new netbook tablets coming just around the corner; focused on the October Windows 7 release. Expect lots of new pricey versions with various bells and whistles available then for the Christmas rush. Price for one Acer mini tablet with reversible screen (laptop and tablet) annonced is $799; cheaper than most current tablet offerings, but still pricey for a netbook. It looks great, shares portability and battery life, but can be used more conveniently with a stylus and held with one hand rather than perched precariously on the lap or one leg. I've never tried surfing with a tablet, soI'm not sure if poking at an on screen keyboard is a good thing.

In answer to the NetBook question, I find them too small, but only really useful for excellent portabity for the traveller. The only real positive things are the price, size, and battery life; sometimes well under $200 for a "good" configuration. However, the size is too large to hold and thumb type, too small to fit on you lap wihtout the unit shifting around or diging into my leggs (may be my lap is too big :)), too underpowered to do much other than basic stuff beyond browsing and basic video playback, and at a price point close to notebooks make them questionably useful for the non-always traveller. These things are sweeping through my office, and they are very tempting for battery life and portability. Everyone who has purchased one uses it on a desk or table, because they are so small and don't really work very well in a lap (spanning both legs) for prolonged use. If you are going to use it on a table, just buy a better laptop and stick it on a table. Even this 15.5" laptop just barely fits where the edge is not digging into the top or side of my legs. Also, the 15.5" laptop generates a lot of heat, and I usually have to move it within an hour. The netbooks are usually much lighter and cooler, so they may do better. I just cannot justify the performance deficit for the price; some of these netbooks are $400+ sometimes on sale for $250-300+. I just picked up a dual core Lenovo laptop on sale with 2GB for $319. At that price, I can't justify the other. Everyone's needs will vary.

[cheapie]

so my company gave me some money to help with office supplies needed to get a new job. first thing is a phone. netbook might be next.

which ones do you like? samsung's got some cool ones. the dell mini is decent but not amazing.

[ray]

I have an Acer Aspire One with 160GB HD, Windows XP Home, 1GB RAM, 6 cell battery. Love it.

If you get a netbook, find one that offers a 6-cell battery.

[Prngr44]

My wife just ordered one of the Samsung's. Haven't received it yet so I haven't been able to play with it.

[mcs328]

My wife is like the Dell Mini 10 less and less each day. I blame the soldered on RAM. She loves her friends Lenovo S-10 netbook that he maxed out RAM on and better keyboard in her opinion.