Cheapest netbooks discussion

madrasi

My first post here - so hope it helps and sorry for the length but wanted to be comprehensive as I can.

RE: different versions of the Aspire one -ignore the model numbers and look for these key differences (the screen is always 8.9" and cpu is always the same 1.6ghz atom till now)

Memory - you have an option of 512MB or 1GB. Since a manual upgrade post purchase requires serious netbook surgery (it voids the warranty as well) - you are better off getting the 1GB one to start with. Especially look for 1GB if you go for the XP version. All the A110 ones are 512MB.

Disk - Choice is between a 8GB SSD (solid state disk - no moving parts - so is a bit more rugged) or a traditional type hard disk of 120GB. Choice is purely yours - if you are after this as a second pc - then the ssd may be enough (You can always plug in an external drive or expand using usb keys or memory cards) - or else you may want the 120gb for pictures etc. All models with A150 are usually 120gb (always double check).

OS - you get either Linpus Linux Lite (tweaked to make it easy for people to use linux - and being free its cheaper) or Windows XP. Sometimes this is marked by the last letter - A150L or A150X for example. XP may be familiar to most people who use a computer but the linpus version maybe just as useable if you approach it with an open mind.

I have found prices (as of now - 31-Dec-08) are approx

£170 for Linux model, 512MB memory, 8GB disk (this maybe the model you saw for £150) - very basic model - good as second pc
£199 for linux model, 512MB but 120GB disk (better spend £20 more on 1gb config below)
£215 for linux model, 1GB and 120GB disk (I just bought this off amazon and I think the best compromise or combination for its value)
£250 for XP model, 512 MB & 120GB disk (avoid this if you can due to low memory - XP works far better with 1GB)
£270+ for XP model, 1gb & 120GB disk (better off with spending £310 or so on the samsung nc10 - which has the 10 inch screen, bluetooth, 6 cell battery which lasts almost double the 3cell battery lasts on the acer one and is much better at this price range)

Prices always fluctuate and there will be a huge number of netbooks coming out in 2009 - so get the cheapest one based on your needs. As a second pc to surf about - the £150 price mark should be fine. If you really want to know exact specs / model codes etc - have a search on google for "aspire one model cheat sheet" and read the article.

Thomask

Still after the 110 model in white.

Seems as if Currys are out of stock (ands poss won't be getting more as the price ends in .97).

Anyone know the current best deal for purchasing one of these (white, 8 gig flash drive, 110 model) ?

Thanks

Thomask

Anyone aware of any recently updated deals on either the 110 model, 8 gig flash drive in White, Linux OR 120 gig hard drive, in White with Linux?

Thanks

Financially3

Hiya all,

I am looking to but the Samsung NC10 and wonder where I can get this at the very cheapest rate. Everything that I am seeing now is over £300.

Many thanks

jetfighter

We've just returned a second Acer Aspire One to the store after it failed to boot up after just a week of use. The first one suffered the same fate but the fan was also starting to go in that one. Really disappointing to have two of them go wrong in such quick succession. :mad:

So we're looking at trying a different model now. Might give the ASUS Eee-701 a go. :rolleyes:

wendy_ann1983

ok, this might seem a silly question but i just want to check, if i get a netbook do i also need a dongle or to pay either by monthly contract or pay as you go, or is it free as long as im in a wifi area?

Palm_Centro

Just been umming and ahhing over which netbook and after reading this thread have plumped for the Acer Aspire One A110L.

Leopard

wendy_ann1983 wrote: »

ok, this might seem a silly question but i just want to check, if i get a netbook do i also need a dongle or to pay either by monthly contract or pay as you go, or is it free as long as im in a wifi area?

If your netbook has a wi-fi card it will be free to use for Internet in any area served by a wireless network to which you have free access.

If both your netbook and your mobile 'phone have Bluetooth, and you have a data facility with your mobile 'phone network, you can access the Internet without having to purchase a USB2 stick incorporating a SIM card of its own and for which you have to pay.

Be sure, however, to establish with your mobile 'phone network what it will charge you to use it for data before you actually do.

wendy_ann1983

Leopard wrote: »

If your netbook has a wi-fi card it will be free to use for Internet in any area served by a wireless network to which you have free access.

If both your netbook and your mobile 'phone have Bluetooth, and you have a data facility with your mobile 'phone network, you can access the Internet without having to purchase a USB2 stick incorporating a SIM card of its own and for which you have to pay.

Be sure, however, to establish with your mobile 'phone network what it will charge you to use it for data before you actually do.

thanks for that, will carry on having a think if I need one or just really WANT one that will just end up covered in dust in the loft cos i never use it

Leopard

wendy_ann1983 wrote: »

thanks for that, will carry on having a think if I need one or just really WANT one that will just end up covered in dust in the loft cos i never use it

When I renew my mobile 'phone monthly contracts I negotiate "free, unlimited" Internet access.

I then use the modems that are built into my mobile 'phones to get my netbook (and, indeed, my laptop) on to the Internet - they connect wirelessly to the computer, using Bluetooth.

This has several advantages over a USB2 stick device.

Firstly: Bluetooth is built-in on both devices - so you don't lose the use of one of the precious USB2 ports on your netbook by having to use a stick.

Secondly; some of these sticks block access to adjacent ports on the netbook as well as the one they are hogging themselves.

Thirdly; the stick protrudes from the side of the netbook, which can be inconvenient and can also lead to it being accidently dislodged from, or knocked askew in, the socket.

Fourthly: you can place the 'phone where it gets the strongest cellphone signal - which may not be the same place as the position in which you want to use the netbook.

Fifthly: you don't need to have, carry around, and pay for, a second device.


To give you an example of how this works in practice, this is how I use it on a train. I log on to the free on-board wi-fi on the train. At some stage, that signal drops out, moving trains and wireless technology being what they are. My netbook nofifies me of this, seeks out my mobile 'phone and asks my permission to use that instead. This I give it and after a moment's wireless handshaking between the two my Internet connection is restored and continues via the cellphone network instead of by wi-fi. When the indicator on the menu bar of my netbook's display indicates that it is back in range of a wi-fi signal to which I have access, I switch back manually to wi-fi.

It works very well and it costs me nothing. One does have to be careful, though: the mobile 'phone networks don't like people doing this (because it prevents them fleecing one every month for second device and the data usage on it.)

Doing email and surfing a few web pages in this manner get in safely under their radar - even accessing one's server at home and retrieving or storing a document or photograph - but if you sit there streaming live video for a couple of hours via a cellphone connection you would get a huge bill. You just have to use common sense.

Bear in mind, though, that you can get a USB2 stick on PAYG from most mobile networks and use it at a capped price (varying between 30p and £2 a day) if you don't like the idea of paying a monthly fee for it.

The golden rule is NEVER to use this tactic abroad - the data rates for roaming are astronomical. Get a special data package (perhaps locally) if you want to do that.

My advice would be to experiment carefully and sparingly with Bluetooth and your mobile 'phone, for a couple of months, to see what you can get away with for free, before investing in a USB2 stick device. Discover what level of usage starts to incur fees and what those amount to. Even paying those, occasionally, can work out cheaper than buying a USB2 stick.