Lightweight laptops or netbooks

lucy111

Hello

I am looking to buy a very lightweight laptop for personal use. I only really use computers for typing, for blogging and surfing, and occasional photo upload and processing.

I dont know anything about laptops really and would love some advice. I am looking for the best value for money. I like the look of Macs, particularly the smallest Macbook Air, but was wondering what you guys had to recommend. What are the best non-Mac netbooks or lightweight laptops out there in your opinion? and where can i get the best price?

I really need it to be very light as I am quite small and want to take it travelling. that is probably the key consideration, as well as a fast browsing speed.

Many thanks for looking

Hammyman

How long do you want it to last? Anything lightweight that is not as asthmatic as a Netbook but is rugged enough not to fall to bits when you're travelling will cost the wrong side of £1000. Lenovo Thinkpad X series are a good strong one but then again, you're on the wrong side of £1000. Toshiba Portege R500s were 2lb in weight including the battery but again, the wrong side of £1000.

Basically out of strong, small, lightweight and cheap you can only have any three at any one time with cheap usually being the one thing they're not.

jayme1

have a look at the sony vaio p series

i8change

Samsung netbooks are well made for the money, even the basic ones:-

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5083228/Trail/searchtext%3ESAMSUNG+N130.htm

I would go for one of those and a decent netbook bag, then separate the battery to another bag (whilst travelling) to distribute the weight evenly.

Otherwise you will be up the expensive end looking at a Macbook Air 11.6" and worrying about it whilst you are travelling.

The wife uses one of the above on long commutes and it is great.

They do slightly faster models if you want to pay a bit more. Her XP version is fine though running Avira Antivir free antivirus and MS Office, Skype, Firefox browser etc.

A decent compact mouse with a scroll wheel helps move up/down web pages easily. This model works well:-

http://www.johnlewis.com/230733831/Product.aspx?source=63258

julie2710

I've had a Packard Bell Netbook for nearly 3 years now. It's really light, battery lasts really well and is easy to use. I too use it for internet, typing etc, I'm not very Techie but I love it and it was only £249!!!

free4440273

I have four netbooks/ my latest is the HP MINI 210 and it's awesome //

buglawton

julie2710 wrote: »

I've had a Packard Bell Netbook for nearly 3 years now. It's really light, battery lasts really well and is easy to use. I too use it for internet, typing etc, I'm not very Techie but I love it and it was only £249!!!

I would second Packard Bell as a great choice, one I bought recently had Adobe Photoshop bundled in plus decent Email program and even Word and Excel stand-ins (MS Works, free with ads).

OP said "I am looking for the best value for money. I like the look of Macs, particularly the smallest Macbook Air". The Air is a pricey luxury item, a bit delicate and not very adaptable or repairable. The sort of thing a person with money to burn would have in their drawing room, not necessarily a machine for bashing about on one's travels.

fenlander_uk

Never travel with something you can't afford to lose! A netbook will do what you want and it won't ruin your life if it ends up at the bottom of a river.

+1 for Samsung.

Hammyman

Ah well, if we're going for netbooks, +1 for Samsung here as well. N130s have a battery life giving around 5hrs typical use.

lucy111

Thanks for all your advice. looks like macs are not the way to go then. will take a look at the samsung and packard bells.

Thanks

Hammyman

lucy111 wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice. looks like macs are not the way to go then. will take a look at the samsung and packard bells.

Thanks

It all depends what you want. A Macbook Air is far better performance than a netbook.