Are you going with Windows or Linux? I don't know much about Linux netbooks.
I have a Lenovo S10 with XP. I got it with 1GB of memory and added another 1GB myself. I wouldn't get one with Vista, and I don't know how well Windows 7 works.
If long battery life is important to you, then avoid the models with a 3 cell battery.
I think the most important thing is the keyboard. The S10s have pretty small keys, and the Enter key is 1/2 size, so I can't type very fast.
The Lenovo S10-2 has slightly bigger keys and a full size Enter key, and I do much better with that keyboard.
I have used an Asus once, and the keyboard seemed pretty nice.
If you are going to want to do anything that is video intensive, the older models have pretty slow graphics.
There are some new models out now that have NVIDIA ION graphics, and they are supposed to be able to handle HD video. These are also a little more money.
Most netbooks have intel Atom processors, but there are several different versions, including single core and dual core. Depending on your needs you might want to get a dual core model, or it may not matter.
I wouldn't get one with less than a 10" LCD, and there are 11" and 12" models available now.
This list of Top 10 Netbooks from PC World has some useful information, with links to full reviews.
In previous discussions of netbooks here, there have been positive comments about offerings from Samsung and Asus.
I'm going to use Windows. I thought that all netbooks ran XP because of the cost factor to manufacturer and also because of the small memory in the early days. I didn't realize they were running Windows 7 on netbooks.
I'm giving this my last shot at Windows. I am so fed up with the poor upgrades, IE8 is just a disaster. I'm not an anti MSFT person but the problems I have with a very expensive HP laptop because of windows and the new upgrade to IE8 that makes me put in my name and password over and over again to almost every site I visit multiple times each day and they wiped out all of my blocked sites, etc. It was the last straw for me. 1 more chance with a netbook and if this is another failure, I'm going to switch to MAC. To be honest - I was looking at $949 sale prices on the 13" Mac and if this netbook takes me up to the $500 range, I just might make the switch now.
I will pay attention to all of your suggestions and check out the link you posted.
jolma
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 22, 2009 @ 11:32p
Try Google Chrome browser on that HP, with some luck it may work a lot better.
redrover said: pyee01 said: lowest price. trust me nothing else really matters these days since they all have decent specs
Thanks. I was wondering about the memory though, is 1GB really enough or will I have trouble doing somethings or viewing certain sites?
1GB works well enough on XP and 7 Starter, but bumping it to 2GB is always a good idea if you can afford to do it.
redrover said: I thought that all netbooks ran XP because of the cost factor to manufacturer and also because of the small memory in the early days. I didn't realize they were running Windows 7 on netbooks.
They have Winodws 7 Starter edition for netbooks. They still offered XP because Vista was a dog to run on a slower processor and only 1GB of RAM.
mudley said: pyee01 said: lowest price. trust me nothing else really matters these days since they all have decent specs
Going to have to disagree here. Battery life is important. There's a huge difference between 2 hours of run time and 7 hours of run time.
I do need a long battery life - what would I look for in the specs.
Thanks to everyone for the advice!
jolma
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 23, 2009 @ 12:39p
For run time, if it is a 3 cell battery or a 6 cell battery (6 is better) is a major factor. I agree that I would not get one with less than a 10" screen.
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