Is it worth getting a netbook?

tbourner

Baring in mind my desktop PC is very old and slow, so I'm not comparing to much, but people have said netbooks aren't worth it as even surfing the web they are really slow?
We can't afford a laptop though and we just want to get a wireless router for the Virgin broadband, and just have something we can quickly boot up, check the web/emails, maybe move some pictures around and do some word docs etc., and that's probably it. I might have to edit some images (size etc.) but I can do that on pixlr.com easily enough.

We'll probably go into PCWorld at some point to have a play, although I doubt I'll buy from there. This one looks about right:
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.207-3943.aspx
N450 processor which apparently is better than the 270, eBuyer is cheaper but I get loads of points and should be able to get 500 more from codes - so at least £10 off already.

Any advice?

lfc321

I don't find mine (an Acer Aspire One) at all slow on web surfing etc. It wouldn't be up to video editing or anything like that, but for web, running MS Office, iTunes etc I find it perfectly adequate.

As for images, I use Picassa and that runs absolutely fine. Don't know pixlr.com so can't comment.

Bigger considerations IMO would be:

1. Can you use the small keyboard (I have small hands so it suits me fine, but not everyone likes it)
2. Do you need an optical drive? (probably not if you also have a desktop PC)

webby962

Hi, bought a Netbook earlier this year for traveling with (Samsung NC10). It is brilliant. OK, it's not as powerfull as my 17" Lappy, but for convienience it is fine. It handles videos very well, letting me watch my films etc on the go. It handles music fine. Surfing the web is all network speed dependant, and my netbook has no problems when on broadband. It was wireless, so easy to carry to a hotspot such as Starbucks to check mails etc. The webcam works good enough to Skype or MSN back home. I run Office on it, and also do basic photo editing on it, again which it handles fine. Games are a no-no on mine, but that wasn't what I bought it for. Battery life is excellent. Overall, i'm impressed.

tbourner

That's kind of what I wanted to hear, thanks. The people I've been asking are techy types with high spec gaming machines, so they buy a netbook and immediately say it's rubbish and can't do anything!!

waggle_2

I bought the acer aspire one thinking I would use it for couch surfing and hated it.

Found the screen too small and the keyboard hard to use. Ended up pressing the wrong buttons all the time and it felt too fiddly.

A new laptop doesn't have to be too expensive I just bought a refurbished dell 1545 laptop from the outlet store for 301 pounds including delivery.

Some people love the netbooks I guess I have shovel hands hehe.

tbourner

waggle wrote: »

I bought the acer aspire one thinking I would use it for couch surfing and hated it.

Found the screen too small and the keyboard hard to use. Ended up pressing the wrong buttons all the time and it felt too fiddly.

Some people love the netbooks I guess I have shovel hands hehe.

It's for the wife more than me, so small keys aren't too much of a problem. She'll be using it for a course she's doing so she'll be typing coursework as well as doing our huskies in need volunteer stuff (cross posting on forums mostly, some document work and some images).

debitcardmayhem

My Sammy N140(2GB) has just resized a 3:30min Video to reformat for HTC Desire and it took 4 mins, my Dell 4 core machine with 4 Gb takes 1:50 so it aint quick but workable, using Handbrake for the resize.

Aiadi

If you are happy with the limitation of the small screen (which I find brilliant for traveling with only about 1kg netbook to carry) then my Asus runs Windows 7 home Premium and MS office 2010, skype and Portable FireFox with no problems.

alanjuk

I bought a Asus EEEPC netbook and find it great for surfing etc. I took all the pre installed rubbish off it (Norton etc.) and I use it all the time. Have taken it on holidays etc and overall I am very happy with it.

Donnie

Don't even think of spending that much on a Netbook unless battery life is important to you.

You can buy a laptop for £270, so there is not a large price differential. Get a Netbook if you need a Netbook, otherwise get a laptop.

spugzbunny

I have a Samsung N220 and I love it. I find it very very quick and the battery life is fantastic which was a big selling point for me.