What Netbook?

thescouselander

I want to buy a netbook that I can take with me when away with work so I can surf the net, email and use it as a VOIP phone. What netbook is best value?

My requirements are:

1) Must be small and light
2) Must be able to access the internet via Wi-Fi and by connecting via my mobile phone (either using bluetooth or USB cable) - I dont want to have to use a dongle as my data package is on my phone.
3) Must have 3 hours battery life min
4) Must be less than £200 - preferably more towards £150

I am willing to consider a refurbished machine if that saves money.

isofa

Samsung NC10/NC20 are hard to beat if you can find them in your price range. They are the best netbooks available, much better quality than the competition.

-TangleFoot-

How 'bout this Lenovo S9e? It's the cheapest thing I could find with integrated Bluetooth.

thescouselander

Just to clarify, it doesn't have to have bluetooth if I can connect to my mobile phone via USB. Bluetooth is just a nice to have.

-TangleFoot-

It's a nice looking machine, but apparently the battery only lasts a paltry 2½ hours. If you can stretch your budget to breaking point, you could get your hands on an Eee PC 1000HE, with a supposed battery life of up to 9½ hours.

kwikbreaks

isofa wrote: »

Samsung NC10/NC20 are hard to beat if you can find them in your price range. They are the best netbooks available, much better quality than the competition.

... and if you can get one for £150 please tell us all where as the going rate seems to be at least £100 more.

thescouselander

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

It's a nice looking machine, but apparently the battery only lasts a paltry 2½ hours. If you can stretch your budget to breaking point, you could get your hands on an Eee PC 1000HE, with a supposed battery life of up to 9½ hours.

I do like the look of the Lenovo machine - I could probably live with the short battery life - I think the extra storage space on the HD would compensate. Its the right price too which is good.


Whatever I get does need to be cheap. I already have a MacBook Unibody that meets most of my computing needs but I dont take this away with me on business as my OH often needs to use it at home.

The idea behind getting the netbook is to just have something to give me basic connectivity while I'm away. It will also be good when I have to go places where I cant secure my computer as well as I'd like so I can leave it in places where I wouldn't want to leave a more expensive machine - so the cheaper the better.

thescouselander

uktyler wrote: »

Have you thought about the Acer Aspire One?

Dixons/PC World/Currys had them for £130 refurbished recently, with 120gb hard discs.

If battery life is important then you could buy a second battery from Ebay.

Yes, it seems like they can be picked up pretty cheaply. My concern is with the cut down Linux OS and the ability to be able to connect to the mobile network via my phone. I'm not sure if the OS will support this and it is a very high priority for me.

asininity

I'm currently using the Lenov S10e and bought the one with a bigger battery as it was on offer and get 6 hours battery life.

-TangleFoot-

T'would appear that netbooks running Windows start at about £220. I didn't notice it at the time, but the Lenovo I pointed out to you has SUSE on it.

thescouselander

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

T'would appear that netbooks running Windows start at about £220. I didn't notice it at the time, but the Lenovo I pointed out to you has SUSE on it.

I've found the same Lenovo S9e with XP on it for £199 so it would probably fit the bill.