Netbook Vs Notebook

[Nabobalis]

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.

I plan to do lite university work on it, such as c programming, essay writing in small amounts 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?

[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.

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

[Nabobalis]

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.

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

[staffsMike]

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

[Nelsaidi]

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

[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.

[Nabobalis]

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.

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.

[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.

[Nabobalis]

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.

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.

[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 So a £199 netbook will do what I need it to and be nice and portable between classes.

[Nabobalis]

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 So a £199 netbook will do what I need it to and be nice and portable between classes.

Yeah, I remember I saw your thread

But, what model do you have?

[staffsMike]

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

[Nabobalis]

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

[staffsMike]

With or without the 10% off?

screenshot and upload if you want to show it.

[Nabobalis]

With or without the 10% off?

screenshot and upload if you want to show it.

With the 10% off

[arthurleung]

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