So I'm thinking of getting one of those tiny laptops. They are quite convenient to bring to school. My question is, which one would you recommend? I don't want anything expensive because I'm low on money. I might even only try to buy one on boxing day. So ya.. a while from now. But I want to start having ideas as to what I want to buy.

So any help would be greatly appreciated. And if you think a mini laptop isn't a good idea, please let me know why I won't be playing any games on it what so ever, if that's what would make you say not to get one

I just got me an Acer Aspire 1810T, 11.6" Timeline laptop. In the United States this system is called 1410.

Some reviews:
http://acer1810treview.blogspot.com/
http://acer1810t.awardspace.com/

Lightweigth, small but not too small, full size keyboard, 8 hours battery life. And you get a free upgrade to Windows 7!

Acer 1810T in English
Acer 1410 United States

I love it!

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Originally posted by Sunshine
I just got me an Acer Aspire 1810T, 11.6" Timeline laptop. In the United States this system is called 1410.

Some reviews:
http://acer1810treview.blogspot.com/
http://acer1810t.awardspace.com/

Lightweigth, small but not too small, full size keyboard, 8 hours battery life. And you get a free upgrade to Windows 7!

Acer 1810T in English
Acer 1410 United States

I love it!

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One of my friends picked up one of the Acer Netbooks running XP recently for a great price, I think it was $249 or so. She loves it.

If I were to buy one now, I'd probably go for a Dell Mini 10v. They run XP or Ubuntu, and can be upgraded to Windows 7 or even Hackintoshed. $329 is a decent price and I really like the aesthetics.

My dad bought me an HP Mini 110-1036CA from NCIX for 279$, works great, it's pretty epic ....runs Windows 7 perfectly.

Since 1.5 year, I own a Packard Bell DOT.BE/010, which is even smaller and cheaper (you can get it for €250) than the Acer:

8.9" screen (1024x600)
Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
160GB HDD
1GB Memory
6-cell battery (5200mAh)

review:
http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&articID=905
link might sometimes be down due to heavy traffic

I'm very pleased with it, eventhough it is often seen as a "secondary" brand. It is not extremely powerfull, but still more powerfull than many other netbooks in its prize range and screen size class.

Few notes on netbooks:

Although processing power in PCs is usually very important, it is not so much with netbooks.
Since netbooks have very small screens you wont be able to do any heavy photoshopping/movie editing/whatever anyways as it isn't very practical.
So, although an Intel Core2 may sound tempting, it has some disadvantages too. They use a lot of power, produce more heat and thus need more cooling, thus relative bulkier, etc.

And because they need that power, your battery wont last that long either (unless you attach an oversized big brick).
IMHO, it is better to choose for a bit less processing power over longer battery life because the main purpose of a netbook is mobility.
So my choice would still be an Intel Atom CPU. Of course, if you have the money and you don't want a too small netbook... the choice is personal of course...

On average a fully charged battery of a netbook gives you like 4 hours power. This because a lot of netbooks don't have big batteries and/or have a normal laptop processors which use relative a lot of power.

Something to watch for too: Some netbooks are advertised as eg: 10", although they only have a usuable screensize of 8" for example.

Another thing is the keyboard. Although most netbooks claim to have full sized keyboards, many realy don't.
Many keys have double functions and this is sometimes very clumsy. For example, a lot of netbooks have the PgDn/PgUp keys as secondary keys on the arrow keys. The smaller the netbook, the more double functions on the keys you'll find. This can be very troublesome in some cases. But again, personal choice...

So the things looked at when I bought one:
- Processor: Intel Atom
- Keyboard: does it have all the keys I need as seperate keys and are they easy to use? (I hate it when I don't have PgDn/PgUp, insert, etc as seperate keys). And what kind of keys are they; For example, the Acer 1810T has flat keys, it is like typing on a piece of paper, very cool and maybe you like that.

- Battery: How many cells does it have and what is its power output (mAh) (for both goes: the more the better).
PS: a 6-cell battery is not so common and is relative big compared to most netbooks btw. A 3-cell is much more common actually (at least here).
3-cell battery gives you like 2-3hours normal usage
6-cell battery gives you like 4-6hours normal usage
(depending on the type of CPU and what you exactly do of course)
- Screen: _always_ check your screen for dead pixels or subpixels. If possible even in the store itself. Some brands (like Packard Bell) have more chance in having dead pixels than others and you need a lot of dead pixels in order to claim another. (I was lucky, not one subpixel dead)
- Touchpad: some have strange mouse buttons (eg: like the Packerd Bell DOT) which you need to get used to. (The only thing I hate about the Packard Bell DOT)
- Memory: wasn't so much of a problem for me. But 1Gb at least of course, I'd say...

Things to watch out for (especially in ads):
- Weight: is almost always _without_ the battery. The battery can add a lot of extra weight.
- Screen size: is it the usable screen size or the panel size?
- HDD capacity: Not always mentionned, though it is a big factor (also in price). On average you have 100-120GB HDDs.
- Battery-life: be very carefull with this!! The battery-life is very often seriously exaggerated! I still need to see the first netbook with a battery life of 8 hours using the normal standard battery.
(sorry Sunshine, but I don't realy believe that you will have 8 hours with that Acer with normal usage).
- Battery-size: Very often the battery goes a bit outside of the casing. The more powerful the battery, the more chance there is it will stick out a bit. (I love it that the Acer 1810T has the 6-cell battery fully inside. cool)

PS: about Windows 7: that will run on almost all netbooks. And almost all offer a free (or almost free) upgrade to Win 7. So that's not realy something extraordinary.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
8.9" screen (1024x600)

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The keyboard is definitely an important factor when buying a Netbook, be sure to try it out and see if it responds well, doesn't wobble too much etc.
And I wouldn't go below 10'' screens (or 1024x600 px), working with smaller screens can be annoying.
Consider upgrading the RAM to 2GB if possible, it's only $30 more and everything will be a lot snappier than with the default 1GB RAM.

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Originally posted by Menthix

quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
8.9" screen (1024x600)

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I have a 9 inch netbook too (Eee PC), but at that size I find the keyboard keys too small to type comfortable on. If you want to use it for school, where you probably spend quite come time writing documents, keep that in mind.

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Originally posted by Menthix
Try one out in the store, or better borrow one from a friend, if you have the chance.

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Originally posted by andrey
Consider upgrading the RAM to 2GB if possible,

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I have the Dell Mini 10, would recommend it. I just don't use it though .

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Since netbooks have very small screens you wont be able to do any heavy photoshopping/movie editing/whatever anyways as it isn't very practical.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
IMHO, it is better to choose for a bit less processing power over longer battery life because the main purpose of a netbook is mobility.
So my choice would still be an Intel Atom CPU.

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quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Something to watch for too: Some netbooks are advertised as eg: 10", although they only have a usuable screensize of 8" for example.

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quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
- Weight: is almost always _without_ the battery. The battery can add a lot of extra weight.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Menthix

quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
8.9" screen (1024x600)

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I have a 9 inch netbook too (Eee PC), but at that size I find the keyboard keys too small to type comfortable on. If you want to use it for school, where you probably spend quite come time writing documents, keep that in mind. Try one out in the store, or better borrow one from a friend, if you have the chance.

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quote:

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Originally posted by andrey
Consider upgrading the RAM to 2GB if possible, it's only $30 more and everything will be a lot snappier than with the default 1GB RAM.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Speaking of which. Not all netbooks are easy to upgrade by yourself (something else I found out after I bought the PB DOT)

Some are so tiny and so 'packed', and components (eg: HDD, memory) are so tightly integrated that it is impossible to upgrade/replace them by yourself. They aren't always accessable by individual panels. So consider putting some more money on the bank now instead of upgrading later. It could safe you a lot of trouble (and void of warrenty if you attempt to do it yourself)...

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Originally posted by Chris.
I have the Dell Mini 10, would recommend it. I just don't use it though .

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I'd recommend getting exactly what Sunshine mentioned.

A netbook is great as a secondary computer, but processing power (Intel atom, AMD neo, Nvidia tegra(i think it's tegra)) is pretty low, so usually multi-tasking slows it down. Most people think they only do one thing at a time, but think that if you are running WLM, internet explorer and word while playing music is actually a lot.

When you do go with a ultra-portable computer with a ULV processor, you put more power on your side, while still having a all the advantages of portability and battery life.

If I remember correctly and that you do live in Montreal, take a look at this machine right here :

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?l...128773&catid=25313

It's extremely similar to the one Sunshine posted, you do get an 11.6 screen size with a pretty full sized keyboard and a screen on which you can actually read stuff. Battery lasts you up to 7 hours (say more like 6 for real usage), you get 3GB of ram and 250GB HDD which is very good. And of course, since it comes pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium, you get a free copy of Windows 7 as well.

The unit is currently on sale at 449$. I sold one of them to my sister's boyfriend's sister. She loves it.

quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Almost all offer a free (or almost free) upgrade to Win 7. So that's not realy something extraordinary.

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Originally posted by Menthix

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
Almost all offer a free (or almost free) upgrade to Win 7. So that's not realy something extraordinary.

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Not entirely true.

For example, non of the Asus Eee netbooks qualify for a free Windows 7 upgrade, see http://event.asus.com/2009/windows7/. Most Atom powered netbooks are currently distributed with Windows XP. While these netbooks are capable of running Windows 7 just fine, they do not qualify for a free Windows 7 upgrade.

Same for Dell. Haven't checked other manufacturers, but I believe a machine with Windows XP won't get you free (or extra discounted) Windows 7 anywhere. You are stuck with the usual upgrade prices.

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Originally posted by albert
and the the computer came pre-loaded with either Vista Home Premium, Vista Ultimate or Vista Buisness, in any case, you get the Windows 7 version you got with the computer

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Yeah, I should indeed have been more clear, I meant those preloaded with Vista usually all can get a (almost) free upgrade these days. Those with XP usually don't...

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Originally posted by albert
A netbook is great as a secondary computer, but processing power (Intel atom, AMD neo, Nvidia tegra(i think it's tegra)) is pretty low, so usually multi-tasking slows it down. Most people think they only do one thing at a time, but think that if you are running WLM, internet explorer and word while playing music is actually a lot.

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New Dell mini Laptops are available in market. They look really stylish and performance in these laptops is really great. you can get this laptop at an affordable price not more than $500.

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Originally posted by albert
If I remember correctly and that you do live in Montreal, take a look at this machine right here :

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?l...128773&catid=25313

It's extremely similar to the one Sunshine posted, you do get an 11.6 screen size with a pretty full sized keyboard and a screen on which you can actually read stuff. Battery lasts you up to 7 hours (say more like 6 for real usage), you get 3GB of ram and 250GB HDD which is very good. And of course, since it comes pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium, you get a free copy of Windows 7 as well.

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quote:

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
For everyday notetaking work or normal school tasks you don't need that much processing power

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I would recommend AGAINST acer. Had nothing but problems with them, build quality is crap - how else do you think they get such a low price for the performance, they cut corners, and usually vital corners.

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Originally posted by wacky
I've been looking around a bit to compare. I actually found that Gateway netbook at Walmart for $400 instead of $500 at futur shop but neither place told me I would be able to get windows 7 although it's preloaded with Vista. All the other netbooks had windows XP.

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Originally posted by wacky
The Acer seemed interesting. It came in two sizes but the smaller one seemed too small. The slightly bigger one (which I believe is the one Sunshine was talking about) was only 20 extra dollars.

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