Asus S200e-C157h 11.6 touchscreen laptop

jackieblack

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-s200e-c157h-11-6-touchscreen-laptop-dark-grey-18893012-pdt.html
Just seen this today and wondered what anyone who knows more about these things thinks about the spec/price, please.
I'm terrible at making decisions and never buy without procrastinating about it for ages first
Not sure if the processor is a bit slow? (Not that I know alot about these things )
Windows 8 and touchscreen look interesting

I want (& need) a small, lightweight laptop for internet/email/office etc. No games/social networking/media streaming.
Has to be light enough to take with me when travelling.
Not in a particular hurry to buy straight away, although existing elderly laptop seems to be heading towards its last legs.

I have looked at tablets, but don't really get on with mobile 'phones and worry that I wouldn't get on brilliantly with an android tablet either, also worry about being reliant solely on a touchscreen (they always seem to freeze up on me and a crucial moment).

Netbooks - seem to be less about/being phased out in favour of tablets, just seem a bit 'plasticky' and ok for travelling but probably a bit fiddly for everyday use.

All the other small/light laptops seem to be ultrabooks - hugely more expensive and probably more bells & whistles that I need or will use.

I know that there's a Windows tablet + keyboard due out soon.... but what would be the difference between those and a laptop?

Thanks for any help

sam959

Hi there! If you are looking for a machine just to use for email and internet then your best bet is a simple laptop! You dont need an overly fast processor to do your run of the mill stuff! Just make sure its got at least 2gb of ram 4 if you can get it! Processor speed is not so important because they are normally all fast enough! What is your budget? There is a new machine called a chromebook! its a small laptop and has google operating system mad for just internet and email really! But they start at like £240 so are cheap and quick! They load up in about 7 seconds but are not as complicated as windows! But i mean most laptops will do the job really! Im a Mac person and ave a macbook air but unless you have the money to spend £1200 on one then i would not even look at mac. I only have one because i deal in graphic design!

sam959

That asus looks a good buy to be honest! Im not sure about touch screen and have not played with windows 8 yet but has a fairly good spec for price! And as it goes Asus are fairly reliable.

jackieblack

Hi Sam
Thanks for your reply
Don't really have a budget, as such, but don't want to spend a fortune on stuff I won't need. Also don't want to take something very expensive with me when I'm travelling.
Most 'bog standard' 'simple' laptops aren't small/light enough.

You're quite correct, I don't need anything as whizzy as a macbook. I've seen the Chromebooks, but not sure I'd be able to run Office on it?

sam959

Yeah sorry i just saw that you need office! So you want something fairly portable but not to expensive! Ok i will have a think. I dont think the new windows tablet will be god enough really only because i dont know if it will run office?

jackieblack

sam959 wrote: »

That asus looks a good buy to be honest! Im not sure about touch screen and have not played with windows 8 yet but has a fairly good spec for price! And as it goes Asus are fairly reliable.

I've only had a quick play with Windows 8 (in the store) but looks like it might be good - you move the screen across (to access more tiles) with your fingertips just like you do on a 'phone (hence the touchscreen)
I've been strictly an XP person up to now, but I'm tempted by 8!

jackieblack

I've just seen that there is also a version with an i3 processor for an extra £50 - worth it? Not sure how much difference it might make.
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/asus-s200e-c158h-11-6-touchscreen-laptop-dark-grey-18893085-pdt.html

sam959

For an extra £50 you might as well! anything to boost the speed and keep the laptop for longer to help price! Looking about i think that laptop sounds good! Samsung do a good laptop for about the same price! You can get an 11" macbook air for £850 a lot more money but will last way beyond any laptop! They are very quick and dont ever loose speed or suffer from virus protection software as are protect in the back ground! Once you go Mac you would not go back! They come on in seconds and are perfect for all your needs! You can also install windows on it as well and run both operating systems at the same time! Macs are so easy to use and you can install office on them!! Plus the operating system can be updated via app store for like £13 when it needs it!! I switched to mac and my old one last 10 years and was still working but wanted to upgrade! They cost more because they are better plus you can easily upgrade the spec in the future ot tat you will need to!! The air comes with a flash drive which means no moving parts so is ultra quick!! But anyway The Asus looks good so if thats about all you want to spend go with that!!

sam959

Oh and with the air the track pad is awesome!! u use 2 fingers to flick between web pages and go back through web pages without clicking the back button and you can have multiple desktops open at once and flick between them with 3 fingers the screen just scrolls around its so smooth!

jackieblack

I've heard/read good things about the macbook air, and I'm sure it's great, but I'd be totally paranoid about taking something that valuable with when I'm away

sam959

It falls under contents insurance! I always take mine on the train and have no problem ! But i know what you mean its a lot of money!! Just think about it i promise you will not regret it!!