Netbook Vs Notebook

So, I'm in the market for a portable computer, but with so much choice I've become very lost.

I don't want to spend too much money on one, say £600/£700 max but prefer really £500 or less if possible. I want something I will like, which can be hard. :angst:

I plan to do lite university work on it, such as c programming, essay writing in small amounts :P and some data processing using Origin 8 or something similar. As I have a powerfullish PC at home.

So I'm not sure if a netbook will just fail at these tasks, but I would prefer not to be stuck with a big laptop hence why I'm even looking at netbooks, but ultra portable notebooks are really expensive :(

So I'm at a lose right now. So much choice and I really like the Asus N10J but that's so expense for what it is, the Samsung NC10 looks nice but the keyboard might be too small. These might be underpowered for my tasks also.

But a notebook is generally too big such as 15.4" or bigger. I would like smaller but they all seem really expensive and I don't know if the better hardware is that much better at low cost anyway. Such as a £300 netbook compared to say a £400 notebook.

Help? :help:

Seriously, if you're planning to do programming / essay writing on a netbook, think twice.

Even though I'm pretty much get used to my Dell Mini9, I couldn't get past 250char/min in touch typing, in contrast to my desktop or my Inspiron 1525, which is around 690char/min.

Personally I think the minimum for this kind of purpose is 14.1", and 15.4" would be you a decent sized keyboard to work with.

If you pair your netbook with external keyboard, it would be alright for essay writing. Programming I think you really need the width (resolution).

Consider how cheap are netbooks, I would say, buy and try one yourself. I wouldn't bother with the NC10, as your home PC can handle all your storage and you really don't need much space on a netbook, lower end sub-£200 will be fine. I doubt you will like netbooks as your work computer very much as it REALLY hurts your productivity. I personally think it is mainly for "Read" purpose such as looking at websites, but for "Write" I only think it go as far as email and forum postings.

There are plenty of very decent laptops about £450-500, significantly more powerful than the netbooks.

15.4" aren't really that big/heavy. I have been carrying that to university for the past 3 years (with 1~2 extra batteries, no power supply). I saved the weight of all the paper / notes I otherwise need to carry without the laptop. Many people's bags are significantly heavier than mine without a laptop

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Originally Posted by arthurleung

Seriously, if you're planning to do programming / essay writing on a netbook, think twice.

Even though I'm pretty much get used to my Dell Mini9, I couldn't get past 250char/min in touch typing, in contrast to my desktop or my Inspiron 1525, which is around 690char/min.

Personally I think the minimum for this kind of purpose is 14.1", and 15.4" would be you a decent sized keyboard to work with.

If you pair your netbook with external keyboard, it would be alright for essay writing. Programming I think you really need the width (resolution).

Consider how cheap are netbooks, I would say, buy and try one yourself. I wouldn't bother with the NC10, as your home PC can handle all your storage and you really don't need much space on a netbook, lower end sub-£200 will be fine. I doubt you will like netbooks as your work computer very much as it REALLY hurts your productivity. I personally think it is mainly for "Read" purpose such as looking at websites, but for "Write" I only think it go as far as email and forum postings.

There are plenty of very decent laptops about £450-500, significantly more powerful than the netbooks.

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My plan wasn't to write fast or alot in a short time, it was just to start and top up any work. Plus the codeing I'm doing is just basic C. I'm learning it for a module. That's one reason I thought it might be a good idea to go for a netbook.

Thanks for the advice, I think I best get looking for more laptops :censored:

I really wouldn't bother with the netbook for anything other that simple net stuff, office tasks etc..

You can get plenty of very portable laptops for less than £700.

Dell XPS M1330 (tesco are actually selling nice specs for £500)
Dell Inspiron 13
Samsung Q210/Q310 (12" and 13")
sammy X22 (bit bigger 14.1" but light and powerful)
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147022
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148560

The Dell XPS's with a small screen are good laptops. Ive used various dell laptops, and there is a large ammount of crap running as shipped (my one had 85 processes running when i first got it!), so, you'll have to msconfig your way out of them, but most manufacturers are like that.

As staffsMike posted the Dell XPS's would be good, they have a small screen, but are loaded with good hardware :D

I just format them when I get them, regardless of bloatwear..

I have an XPS M1330 and will be getting a netbook in a few days. Each has it's purpose for me but I think laptop is the way to go for OP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

I just format them when I get them, regardless of bloatwear..

I have an XPS M1330 and will be getting a netbook in a few days. Each has it's purpose for me but I think laptop is the way to go for OP.

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Well I will look at them, tho is it worth it to pad out the specs on the dell website or find it off another website?

The Samsung Q310 does look good tho.

Some deals and a deal code to use on the dell site here
http://www.dmxdimension.com/blogcate...xps_m1330.html

They are always open to haggling as well so don't be affraid to try that on the phone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

Some deals and a deal code to use on the dell site here
http://www.dmxdimension.com/blogcate...xps_m1330.html

They are always open to haggling as well so don't be affraid to try that on the phone.

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Thank you.

How do you find the XPS M1330? and why you buying a new laptop?

Edit: It seems a similar spec dell and samsung, the samsung is about £70 cheaper with the 10% coupon on the dell.

I think it's fantastic. There are more expensive sonys which look a bit better but they are too difficult to upgrade and the warranty support is pathetic so I went with dell.

It does everything though, light gaming (COD4 looks good and plays very smoothly for example).. anything I've thrown at it, it can cope with happily :) I'm using it as my main PC now.

The netbook is in the light of me starting to teach and needing a laptop (since what they gave me is naff) and not wanting to use my XPS with all the smelly kids around it :laugh: So a £199 netbook will do what I need it to and be nice and portable between classes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

I think it's fantastic. There are more expensive sonys which look a bit better but they are too difficult to upgrade and the warranty support is pathetic so I went with dell.

It does everything though, light gaming (COD4 looks good and plays very smoothly for example).. anything I've thrown at it, it can cope with happily :) I'm using it as my main PC now.

The netbook is in the light of me starting to teach and needing a laptop (since what they gave me is naff) and not wanting to use my XPS with all the smelly kids around it :laugh: So a £199 netbook will do what I need it to and be nice and portable between classes.

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Yeah, I remember :P I saw your thread :laugh:

But, what model do you have?

Mine is

2.2Ghz T7500 C2D
2GB RAM
200GB 7200rpm HDD
8400GS 128mb
LED Back lit screen
9 Cell Battery

I bought it when it was first released with a sizable discount :p

Made one for about £800 but I'm not sure how to show it :P But its about £170 more than the Samsung Q310 for a similar Spec so I'm not sure

With or without the 10% off?

screenshot and upload if you want to show it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

With or without the 10% off?

screenshot and upload if you want to show it.

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With the 10% off

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/1...5864ws2.th.png

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/626...5030di2.th.png

If you can wait, eventually there will be a very cheap DELL deal for you.
Otherwise I think the Samsung is a good deal, just the 4-cell battery might be a bit small

Do you think this is worth the money?

It being HP.. no but either way this is over £300 less and near enough the same spec
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147022

Ok, thank you.

Would avoiding ebay be a good idea? I mean if something goes wrong, I won't have a warranty will I?

So, If you forgot everything, whats a good deal out of these 3? I need a laptop fast as my computer is acting up and I think the hard drive is failing.

Sony VAIO FW11 E For £570 or £520 I believe

Samsung R560 for £635

Samsung Q310 for £634

3 completely different laptops lol

The sony has a lovely keyboard and screen but is big and difficult to lug around. Good CPU reasonable GPU but gaming won't be great.

First samsung I would buy if gaming was the biggest concern on this budget.

Q310 for portability. Tried the Q210 the other day though and the viewing angles on the screen were a bit awkward.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by arthurleung

I couldn't get past 250char/min in touch typing, in contrast to my desktop or my Inspiron 1525, which is around 690char/min

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11.5 char's per second?

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Originally Posted by TAKTAK

11.5 char's per second?

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i can do at least 6000 wpm ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by matty-hodgson

i can do at least 6000 wpm ;)

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I could do that when I was 4 mate..

I've been noveling per second for most of my life.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

3 completely different laptops lol

The sony has a lovely keyboard and screen but is big and difficult to lug around. Good CPU reasonable GPU but gaming won't be great.

First samsung I would buy if gaming was the biggest concern on this budget.

Q310 for portability. Tried the Q210 the other day though and the viewing angles on the screen were a bit awkward.

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Yeah, I read that on the Q310 and the Q210 the viewing angles are a nightmare. Not sure about the R560.

I just need a laptop with some raw power really. I dont intend to play games that are new, other than maybe WAR on it.

I realised the laptop will be used on university campus, so portability I guess is not really an issue since I drive everywhere.

Just wondering if the Song is good value for what it is.

Edit: Just made a XPS M1530 for about £683

Code:

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Base          Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.10 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache)
Microsoft Operating System        Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1- English
Memory        4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]
Keyboard        Uk/Irish Internal Keyboard (QWERTY)
Video Card        NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 8600M GT with 256MB dedicated graphic memory
Hard Drive        320GB (5.400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
Modem        No Modem
Optical Devices        Fixed 8x DVD+/-RW Slim Slot Load drive, including SW
Wireless Networking        Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card - Europe - Core 2 Duo Processors
Shipping Documents        English Documentation with English/Irish Power Cord - 3 PIN
Gedis Bundle Reference        N01X5303
Microsoft Application Software        Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)
Standard Warranty        1Yr XPS Premium Warranty Support - Priority Call In and Onsite Support
Enhanced Service Packs        1Yr XPS Premium Warranty Support - Priority Call In and Onsite Support
Protect your new PC        No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English
Power Supply        AC Adapter 90W - 3 Pin
Mobile Broadband – High-speed wireless connectivity wherever you are        No Mobile Broadband Selected
Bluetooth        Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data rate - Eur
Order Information        Inspiron Order - UK
Primary Battery        Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)
Carrying Cases        No Carry Case
Biometric Identification        Biometric Fingerprint Reader with BLACK accent
Dell System Media Kit        Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
Colour Choice        2.0 mega pixel Camera & Midnight Blue for CCFL Display
Accidental Damage Support        No Accidental Damage Support
Online Backup        DataSafe Online Backup 2GB
TV Tuner and Remote Control        Dell™ Travel Remote Control
Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs        Dell Internet Order
LCD        15.4" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440x900) TFT Display with TrueLife™

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Not sure if the Intel wireless card is worth it, or is having the screen upgraded from WXGA (1280x800) will be worth it also. Can't select 64bit vista tho :( How do I know if thats the new C2D core?

Thanks for your help. Really close now :P

Dell looks very nice yeah, portable and great gaming potential :)

The 1440 x 900 screens are very nice but I wouldn't pay too much for the privilage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by staffsMike

Dell looks very nice yeah, portable and great gaming potential :)

The 1440 x 900 screens are very nice but I wouldn't pay too much for the privilage.

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The screen upgrade is about £30 and the intel wireless N card is about £30 also. Not sure if either is needed. I can't find any data on the difference on the screens.