Netbook advice

*Louise*

Hello - I don't often venture into this section (it's all a bit scary to me) but I wondered if I could get advice as I am clueless about this...

Basically Laptop broke down last year, sick of fighting off 4 other members of the family to get work done on the desktop pc so I am considering buying a netbook but not sure if they are that good. The decision is cost-based really, I have around £250 to spend.

The main things I need it for are internet browsing, uploading photos, emailing and typing up Word documents - I use Word a lot - can that be installed easily enough?

Two I have been looking at are:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/hp-mini-110-3105sa-07757063-pdt.html

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/r/Samsung%20N150%2010.1in%20Netbook%20/0_0_0/#product-information

Are either any good?

Also, would I need any extras/other devices with them?


Thanks in advance for any advice

stone7

All netbooks will be fine for internet browsing, email, uploading photos and videos & word/excel etc.

You wouldn't have any problems with the two you have suggested, but looking at THIS REVIEW site, the Samsung scores 9.2 out of 10 for £240. The HP scores poorly at 7.2 out of 10 for £240. My suggestion would be THIS ONE. I bought my son one for Christmas. My wife liked it so much I ordered her the same one and both are over the moon with them. At £190 it scores 9.5 out of 10.

No problem with word or office in general. If you have the prduct key, you can download Microsoft office and just enter the product key when prompted. Of course you could download Open Office.....it's basically a free version of Microsoft Office and completely compatible.

Do you need anything extra? Nothing springs to mind. Only issue I can forsee is using word "a lot" on such a tiny screen. It does my head in after a while. Even the wife prefers to use the big laptop if she's doing a serious amount of writing. Of course you could buy a VGA cable, allowing you to use your LCD/LED tv as a monitor (about £5).

ETA: The Acer netbook I have linked to comes with a 6 cell battery and windows 7 starter.

macman

Why a netbook as opposed to a laptop? If you use Word a lot (your words) then you want as decent sized keyboard and screen-you'll quickly tire of a 10 in screen and a cramped keyboard on a netbook. And you'll have no optical drive, unless you buy an external one.
The only advantage of a netbook over a laptop is portabiity-which isn't mentioned in your requirements.
And please don't buy anything from PCW-that's the worst thing you could do!
Your budget is restrictive for a basic 15in laptop, another £50 will get you a much better choice.

free4440273

HP MINI 210 IS WHAT I HAVE (ONE OF MANY NETBOOKS ) AND I HAVE TWO /blue and now dark pink /// -- AWESOME BUILD QUALITY, SUPERB KEYBOARD, BRILLIANT SPEAKER SET, AND A LOVELY CLEAR DISPLAY/ LOVE IT !

TEDDYRUKSPIN

My honest opinion is not to get a netbook unless you travel around alot.

For specific males, it is very difficult to type on the netbook due to our chubby fingers. The screen is way to small for day in and day in use. However, the netbook is capable for daily running of internet, word, general use etc.

If you can fork out another £50, I suggest you get a laptop. Some decent laptops around for £300 at the moment.

free4440273

agree with teddy -- but I have slim fingers / very

free4440273

In fact, it's yet another important reason to choose a netbook with a solid keyboard, tactile keyboard keys , well-spaced and well-sized -- the HP MINI 210 meets all four requirements / :cool:

vikingaero

I agree with Macman. Don't get a netbook unless you have a specific need for one. If you do buy one then 10" should be the minimum. Be aware that some webpages will require horizontal scrolling which is a PITA with or without a mouse.

£50 extra will definitely buy you a better 15" laptop.

*Louise*

stone7 wrote: »

Do you need anything extra? Nothing springs to mind. Only issue I can forsee is using word "a lot" on such a tiny screen. It does my head in after a while. Even the wife prefers to use the big laptop if she's doing a serious amount of writing. Of course you could buy a VGA cable, allowing you to use your LCD/LED tv as a monitor (about £5).
.

I was thinking of that. Most typing would be done at home anyway, and the tv is easy to link to.

macman wrote: »

And please don't buy anything from PCW-that's the worst thing you could do!

Oh I know - I never shop there.....it was just handy to link to for the pictures :rotfl:



Thanks for the advice so far - yes, it would be getting carted about a fair bit - I tended to do without the laptop because it was too much faff lugging it about

leanneloves

I have samsung brand which I really like

alanwjones

I also have a Samsung, a model nc10plus, Which I really like, I am middle aged and have no problems typing, seeing the screen etc, They are very reliable little machines which I highly reccomend, A handy little site for samsung netbooks- here......... http://www.sammynetbook.com/forum/. Hth. Alan.