Cheapest netbooks discussion

Roger_Rampant

We have two netbooks at home, and they both use wireless access to our broadband router. If you can afford a bit more then a laptop is probably better than a netbook, especially if it is mainly for home use where portability is not so crucial. I prefer the bigger screen and bigger keyboard of a laptop, but obviously they cost more too.

isie1980

I've seen some good reviews for Asus and happened to get an email from ebuyer.com with this one for under £200 with free delivery.

Can't post a link, but search product number 190292 on ebuyer.com

Any thoughts?

I only want one for occasional travel entertainment really, and some limited word processing while traveling (I was thinking I'd use open office for that).

Miroslav

Donnie wrote: »

I take my Netbook with me whilst travelling. Useful for researching and booking hotels along the way, watch a film on an aircraft journey if there's no entertainment and as a music system(together with speakers) once settled.

Once I'm back home it's packed away. Too annoying for normal use at home compared to a full sized laptop or PC.

So if you are likely to be needing it for travelling and have a limited budget, say £200 and under, then a Netbook is your option. Similarly if long battery life is of utmost importance.

Budget for laptop is around £500, but naturally if can get for cheaper, even better.

Roger_Rampant wrote: »

We have two netbboks at home, and they both use wireless access to our broadband router. If you can afford a bit more then a laptop is probably better than a netbook, especially if it is mainly for home use where portability is not so crucial. I prefer the bigger screen and bigger keyboard of a laptop, but obviously they cost more too.

Yes, a bigger screen may be better for the eyes. Saves money at the opticians in the future.

We shall want to use the same broadband access we have now for our desktop - at the same time. We only have wired broadband at the moment - is it easy to get the gear to turn it into wireless and just as easy to set up on both desktop and laptop?

Roger_Rampant

We only have wired broadband at the moment - is it easy to get the gear to turn it into wireless and just as easy to set up on both desktop and laptop?

I bought this type of wireless router for ten pounds delivered off eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIRELESS-LAN-BROADBAND-ADSL-ROUTER-54-mbps-802-11G_W0QQitemZ170489296298QQcategoryZ44997QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIEW%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D20%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8359541960886342579#ht_4145wt_982

I have ADSL, in other words my broadband uses the BT telephone line.

As to how easy it is to set up, I have to place my hand on heart and say that setting up the new router was quite easy, but for a wireless network to be properly secured is not the easiest job in the world, although we did manage to sort out encrypting it and hiding the network after a bit of trial and error - and some swearing! :rotfl:

Yes, a bigger screen may be better for the eyes. Saves money at the opticians in the future.

Yes, when the ladies of the house venture up into my den in the loft they often say how much better web pages look when they are displayed on my 19" monitor than they do on their netbook screens. However they could presumably attach their netbooks to an LCD monitor if they were that bothered.

We frequently have me in the loft using the net, along with the daughter and wife in the lounge also using the net, but no noticeable slowdown of connection, so I don't think that is as much of an issue as it would have been back in the 56k dial-up modem days.

Miroslav

Roger_Rampant wrote: »

I bought this type of wireless router for ten pounds delivered off eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WIRELESS-LAN-BROADBAND-ADSL-ROUTER-54-mbps-802-11G_W0QQitemZ170489296298QQcategoryZ44997QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIEW%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D20%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8359541960886342579#ht_4145wt_982

I have ADSL, in other words my broadband uses the BT telephone line.

As to how easy it is to set up, I have to place my hand on heart and say that setting up the new router was quite easy, but for a wireless network to be properly secured is not the easiest job in the world, although we did manage to sort out encrypting it and hiding the network after a bit of trial and error - and some swearing! :rotfl:

Yes, when the ladies of the house venture up into my den in the loft they often say how much better web pages look when they are displayed on my 19" monitor than they do on their netbook screens. However they could presumably attach their netbooks to an LCD monitor if they were that bothered.

We frequently have me in the loft using the net, along with the daughter and wife in the lounge also using the net, but no noticeable slowdown of connection, so I don't think that is as much of an issue as it would have been back in the 56k dial-up modem days.

Well, my broadband is also through a BT telephone line.

I forsee problems, I am no techie, hence I have to keep asking for help with many things on this part of MSE!

I'll be back, when laptop has been purchased and I need help :rotfl:Again :rotfl:

Thanks for all the info.

machofairy

jewelie wrote: »

Hello!

Any ideas if it'll run Portal - the game that's advertised elsewhere in the current newsletter that's currently going free for this week?

Do you know if the U130 is genuinely any more powerful than the U100? Reading up on benchmarks, I can't see any indication that there's any significant difference?

J
x

I doubt it will ru that game at a playable speed.
There is very little difference between the two. Msybe about 30 mins extra of battery life because of the more efficient cpu.

susanxx

I have seen the Ubisurfer with 12 months unlimited broadband access for 139.99 plus p&p on one the shopping channels. Its usually on once a week so you just need to keep checking Ideal World.

d123

susanxx wrote: »

I have seen the Ubisurfer with 12 months unlimited broadband access for 139.99 plus p&p on one the shopping channels. Its usually on once a week so you just need to keep checking Ideal World.

just so long as you remember this isn't a PC, it isn't a proper Netbook, and is incredibly restricted in what it can do. I have yet to see a good review for it.

Lugh_Chronain

Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 Netbook - £200.34 Ebuyer

Intel Atom N450 1.66GHz
1GB RAM
160GB SATA
10.1" WSVGA TrueLife
No Optical Drive
Webcam
Windows 7 Starter

Lugh_Chronain

Asus EEEPC 1005P 10.1in Netbook - White - £199.99 Argos

Current selling price valid until 23/07/2010

Details

CPU and Memory:

• Intel Atom N450 .
• Processor speed 1.66GHz.
• 1GB DDR2 RAM .
• 250GB SATA hard drive.

Display features:

• 10.1in display.
• Resolution 1024 x 600 pixels.

Graphics:

• Dedicated Intel GMA with 3150 graphics card.

Interfaces and connectivity:

• 3 USB ports.
• Bluetooth.
• B/g/n wireless/WiFi enabled.

Multi-media features:

• 0.3MP built-in webcam.

Operating system & software:

• Microsoft Windows 7 Starter.

General features:

• Up to 660 mins battery life.
• Weight 1.3kg.