A Netbook for the masses?

JTM

JTM

New Member
Hey everyone, I have decided to possibly purchase a netbook. I have read reviews, watched reviews, and read a ton of information on netbooks. However, the decision of which one to get is killing me! :mad:

There's the Dell's that are nice and well built and seem overall nice. Then there's the MSI, Acer, and ASUS that perform good but some versions have only a 3 cell battery and lack mobility due to this factor.

Does anyone on here recommend a netbook in the $350 price range, with $350 being the max I can spend.

(Edit): The uses are going to be for school primarily. I won't really touch it at home because I have a good desktop. I commute to school so maybe a couple hours a day of use at tops.

Thanks,
JTM
 
Seeing as you've already read up on current netbooks i'll give you my opinion of the netbook that i own.

$350 Asus Eee PC 1000HA which is at the time of posting this is out of stock at the egg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220440

These are the pros and cons i think of it:
Pros:
-decent 6 cell battery that lasts at least 4 hours at full power (super performance mode + wifi)
-10" display for decent viewing
-runs windows 7 (new upcoming windows OS) very well.
-Good community support
-comes with microsoft works
-shiny

cons:
-horribly placed "right shift" key (placed to the right of the "up arrow" key and above the "right arrow" key)
-collects dust and fingerprints like no other (i stopped caring about keeping it purty a few days after i got it)
-frame feels a bit flimsy
-battery feels loose and can be heard moving around if shaken lightly
-poor resolution like all current netbooks 1024x600
-needs external dvd drive or usb flash drive alternative solution to restore original settings if you happen to mess it up (but thats how all current netbooks are i think)

For the price though i'd go with the $310 MSI Wind http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152084 which if you buy now would get you a free 16gb flash drive if you use the promo code. This thing does exactly what the Eee can do at a lower price, less weight, lower capacity hdd. However i do not own this so i can't give any personal opinions on it although there are plenty reviews about it.

I suggest upgrading the ram to 2gb for roughly $20 for any netbook that ships with 1gb. However if you really can't spend over $350 no matter what then 1gb with windows xp/ubuntu should be fine.
 
Get the ASUS 1000HE. Same specs as the 1000HA, but with a new processor (N280), better keyboard, and longer battery life (9.5 hours but more like 7-8 with real life use).

Price is around 364 but with Live Cash back you can get it for $343 from JR. But they aren't in stock right now but if your willing to pay more other places have them ready to ship.
 
I have a Dell mini and the quality is great, I recommend it. The MSI wind is nice but crappy battery life for a net book. What are you looking for in a net book.
 
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