Webbook, Netbook, Arrgggghhh - choices ?

[kevpuk]

OK, so I am looking to 'down-size' from my wonderful hp TX-series laptop to something a little smaller, less powerful et al. Ultimately, the laptop is overkill for my modest needs on the move.....so...

I am after one of the multitude of 'small' laptop thingies out there, with the current favourtie being the Advent 4211 (or MSI Wind).....but is this the right choice ?

Criteria :

• Intel Atom
• 1GB (or expandable) RAM
• Decent battery life
• HDD - don't want SSD as i will need a fair chunk of storage

Prefer :

• Bluetooth
• Wireless N
• SDHC compatibility (seems the Wind/4211 omits this ?!!)
• Linux installed (save money as I have XP licences kicking around and seems silly to pay once again !)

So...any thoughts, oh wise forum buddies ?

I guess that the Eee 1000H may be an option, but is stretching the budget......the 4211/Wind ticks most boxes, but frustrtatingly omits SDHC I am told (could this be 'fixed' in an update/firmware release ??), Aspire One seems reasonable but mixed responses......

Thanks, in anticipation

[Bluecube]

I've got an Advent 4211/ MSI Wind and it's an excellent machine, perfect for email, internet browsing, word processing, etc. The keyboard is great too and you can rack up a good typing rate which I understand isn't necessarily the case with the other netbooks. The touchpad also has the mouse buttons below which makes it less fiddly to use. Battery life is only about three hours though but that's on par with other machines. As for SDHC compatibility, where did you hear this? I'm sure that this isn't the case as I vaguely remember reading that the slot was SDHC compatible...

[kevpuk]

Few places, per Google....... example

[vicar]

Try the Acer Aspire One very good netbook. You won't regret it.

[staffsMike]

I've heard the acer is quite a noisey little thing, that and the fact it's an acer would put me off lol

The dell should be along shortly.

[directhex]

rumours say the 5th for the dell

[Flibb]

I have the advent, really like it, but wouldnt say that all the various makes models are similar with a few differing points.

Couple of things about the wind.
No N wireless, but you can change the card (will cost £10-20), I swaped it out so I could get wifi in OSX. Bit fiddly but easy.
Advent does do SDHC, moving some files around using it at the moment.
Memory is very easy to upgrade, did it while fitting the wifi card.

[kevpuk]

Try the Acer Aspire One very good netbook. You won't regret it.

Pretty sure that the Aspire misses a few spec points ? Or am I wrong there....?

I've heard the acer is quite a noisey little thing, that and the fact it's an acer would put me off lol

The dell should be along shortly.

rumours say the 5th for the dell

Any decent info on the Dell about ?

[staffsMike]

Any decent info on the Dell about ?

Engadget are normally up to date with it.

This is one quite detailed post from them
http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/12/d...n-one-fell-sw/

[kevpuk]

Looks interesting, but SSD only ?

[kevpuk]

Well, the Dell seems mighty un-inspiring......another one of many, methinks ?

[staffsMike]

Yeah but very quiet (silent in fact), great build quality, and does everything else as well as any other. I like it.

The price is good enough for the XP version, hopefully linux will knock another £100 off

If I were going to get one I think this would be it.

[tinners]

Another happy 4211 customer here. (If you can live with having to teach PC World support staff one end of a computer from the other should it go wrong !)

[joeh]

Wait 2-3 weeks. The Samsung NC10 is out.

I think it definitely looks the best. It also has a 6 cell battery, and a 160gig hdd, with a 10.2' screen and is smaller than the 1000H.

And it's a bargain price of £298. Will have to wait 2-4 weeks for release though, most major retailers are taking pre-orders.

I think blue looks the best ;D

[kevpuk]

Grabbed a black 901 20GB - absolutely delighted

In the end, Wireless N and low weight/great battery swung it, and I now have a great nlite'd XP install, Office 2007, Sling player and so on and am very pleased

Thanks to all with useful comments