I've just been asked to sort out some software issues on a friend's netbook and despite it's small size (this one has a screen just under 10") it looks like it could be useful for backing up video and picture files and for keeping in touch with emails when away from home.
Is anyone using one for such purposes and are they any good? Also if I did decide to buy one what should I be looking for and what should I be looking to avoid?
I don't imagine they are up to the job of video or picture editing but for simple tasks and backup are they worth considering rather than lugging a heavy laptop about?
Any recommendations wold be appreciated.
Cheers.
i bought a samsung NC10 form the argos clearence ebay store..£160.00
although they say its refurbished...it looked brand new to me when it arrived. all plastic covering on it, sealed box.
i think its more just clearence than refurbished.
my sister bought the same one a month earlier in comet for £250.00
I have had no issues with it. only use it for internet access around the house and out and about. i know the nc10 is not the most recent model but it does for me
i found when looking to buy one they are all the same...same processor, hd size, ram...its just different makes..
anyway...recomend a samsung
Think this is the model that replaced the nc10..selling from the argos clearence http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-N130-10-1IN-NETBOOK-SOFT-BLACK-REFURB-/350346280185?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item519243fcf9
I've been using one for running presentations for over a year and a half now.
Model is a MSI wind clone sold through PC World brand Advent.
It is extremely useful for this as it cuts down on equipment I have to take and set up. Plays DVD video and powerpoint to projector quite happily. They have obviously updated since then but I believe nearly all that run Windows (either XPHome or Win 7 "lite") are using variants of the Intel atom range.
Things to look out for are touchpad operation and battery life. Then the usual PC specs inputs/outputs. Goes withoutsaying there is no room for internal DVD.
Final thing to note - there are lower spec linux base based machines which don't have the grunt for video etc. but ideal as internet browsers.....
I use an Advent one & is ideal for when traveling, the built in webcam was extremely useful when Madam fractured her ankle last year in Accapulco, we were able to keep in touch with the family. I also bought a portable DVD writer/player so we could further back-up pictures etc. Battery life isn`t brilliant which is the only real downside given what it`s designed for, a traveling companion!
My daughter just bought a Dell Mini Inspiron 1012 last week. A work colleague already had a Inspiron 1011, which he's well pleased it has XP, my daughter's 1012 has a 250Gb disk drive, and Windows 7 Starter edition. She's well impressed with it, bought from John Lewis online. She uses it for running her small business when out and about.
You may not like the girly pink that she has though :-)
Thanks to you all for the very helpful replies and I've decided that it makes sense to have one of these for travelling and for CF/SD card backups.
After spending most of the day checking out reviews and prices I have just ordered a Toshiba NB300-108 Black from Argos at the very silly price of £229.99 (£70 off at the moment). There is a £5.95 delivery charge but I also got a £10 off voucher for a future purchase at Argos - and I'll have the item for Friday.
Sounds like a deal to me.
Thanks again.
Paul
I have just bought an Acer Aspire One from Argos on Ebay - £149.99 and witha 250gb HDD. Great for backing up SD cards whilst away from home. Built in webcam, and very very light. I also bought a neoprene protective case from my local Sainsbury - on offer at only £4, perfect.
I too have an Acer aspire one. Which uses windows 7 starter , also has android software. No Blue tooth ! The one thing I do find very convenient is the amout of windows that can be open without slowing down the graphics. For instance in Serif 6 I can have over 8 different publications open and when multiple printing XX + XXX copies does not take an age and a half to load up the memory. perhaps a feature of windows 7 ?
Not quite the same but I've got an ex-eBay Lenovo X61 - Core2Duo, 250GB (I could readily fit a bigger one), 2GB ram, Firewire etc - barely bigger or heavier than a netbook, same price, but much more capable, great keyboard, and "tough as". The X200 (from memory) is possibly even nicer - pricier - widescreen, newer - but no firewire ruled it out for me.