Netbook advice

[cazzz1975]

I am thinking of buying a netbook, I realise the various limitations in terms of graphical capability so it will be used for internet primarily, I was wondering though could I store an amount of music and photographs on it without it affecting its overall performance?

also are there any netbooks that are recommended by anyone?

[ChuckFickens]

Yep, you can store as much music and photos on it as you can fit on whatever storage it has (making sure you don't fill the hard drive right up, obviously) without effecting performance.

When it comes to specs most netbooks are pretty much the same, things to look out for are...

Screen size
I wouldn't go for anything under 10inch, much smaller and there are too many compromises with both screen size and keyboard size.

Hard drive.
I'd go for one with a proper hard drive of at least 160GB, the ones with solid state drives in them are either very limited on storage space or hugely expensive.

Ram
1GB is the normal, if you go for a windows7 based one consider upgrading this to 2GB

CPU
All intel based netbooks have atom CPUs in them but they are not all equal, the basic ones are single core 1.6GHZ, or 1.8GHZ, the newer, higher power ones now have dual core atom CPUs giving better performance but at a higher price.

Operating system
Several still come with windowsXP, which is actually fine for a netbook, newer ones come with windows7 but you pay a bit extra, and the really cheap ones come with linpus linux, which is dreadful in my opinion (I've installed a ubuntu based Linux on mine and it works really well)

I've got an Asus eeePC which are very well regarded, the samsung range of netbooks also always do well in tests, other brands (such as HP, sony etc) tend to perform about the same but cost a lot more!

[VHG]

Personal files stored on a hard disk dont affect performance of a hard disk at all (unless they fill the hard disk up).

The main thing that effects performance is the amount of memory (RAM) and the number of programs running.

The more programs you have running the more memory (RAM) it uses. Once RAM "fills up" Windows has to take action to sort it out, and this can slow your computer down.

For "normal" use 1Gb of RAM is a bit low, 2Gb is usually fine, anything more a bonus (but probably not used).

Just make sure there is always 10% (maybe more?) of your hard disk empty as Windows creates a lot of temporary files and needs the space.

[ChuckFickens]

I've not seen any netbooks that claim to support more than 2GB of RAM. (and bizarrely due to a restriction applied by microsoft that states any windows based netbook can't be sold with more than 1GB you can't even buy a new windows based one with 2GB fitted already)

[gingejbee]

Which? Best Buys include the Samsung range, Asus Eee PC and Acer Aspire One.

[cazzz1975]

that isnt good...

1gb does not sound like a lot..

[cazzz1975]

I suppose I could store my music on a portable external drive, I dont really want the hassle of a laptop, the netbook looks good because the battery time is pretty handy so no wires and stuff constantly hanging of it.

[snags]

''1gb does not sound like a lot.. ''

''I suppose I could store my music on a portable external drive''

cazzzz... 1gb of RAM (Memory), not 1GB storage...

[snags]

^ If that's what you were thinking. If not, I'll shut up.

[ChuckFickens]

1GB is the RAM size, nothing to do with how much music etc. you can store on it that will depend on the hard drive.

for example, this one has a 160GB hard drive so you'd have loads of room to store music and pictures.

http://www.amazon.co....qid=1286282446&sr=8-5

Whereas this one only has 8GB of storage available so you'd quickly be running out of space after only a handful of pictures..

http://www.amazon.co....id=1286282446&sr=8-14

[Davethedog]

Chuck isn't battery life in the Asus somewhat limited?

I have just bought my Daughter a Samsung N220 and I made the choice because of battery life.

[ChuckFickens]

Mine claims an 8hr battery life, however as is the way of all manufacturers claims it's nowhere near the mark and I actually get a realistic 5-6hrs out of it with normal use.

some of the newer ones are now claiming 11hr battery life but I doubt you'd get much more than 7-8 hours in the "real world"

I would guess that they get the figures they state in all the advertising by running them in full power saver mode, which I find makes them virtually unusable.

[cazzz1975]

sorry my thoughts were on filling my hard drive with music and pictures which would slow down my computer, not to mention windows updates, essentially I am trying to substitute my desktop PC for something much smaller for the sake of space saving.

with this in mind If I had to use a 1gb memory machine I was going to try and keep it as light as possible by storing stuff on a separate HDD. (I have thousands of music files and pictures)
please excuse me if I appear ignorant btw, netbooks are new to me..

[gingejbee]

I'm no great expert like the others on here, but think going from a desktop to a netbook might be a step too far. How about something like the Samsung X420- a slim, portable laptop with superb battery life (quote from Computeractive magazine no. 310)

[cazzz1975]

I do agree, this is why I had to query it first, although I was trying to avoid the "fuss" of a laptop with the battery and size. the netbook just seemed like a better option for browsing and a few bits and bobs without worrying about the fan underneath overheating. (I may be wrong about that though)

[Davethedog]

I am by know means an expert - But if you don't want to be mobile, then a desktop is by far the better option.

Depending on your budget they do spme crackers now. Theres even one that is basicaly a monitor with a touch screen.

[Sqad]

cazz...I bought a netbook for ease of portability when i go to the UK and it is fantastic for that purpose. However to use it for regular typing was a nightmare and so I have bought a laptop for everyday use-

[daffy654]

I bought my daughter an Asus eee for her birthday in April. It broke after about a mionth and we have been unable to get it working since then. She gets an error on a black screen about a missing file, it tells her to reinstall Windows or something... bit difficult to do without a Windows disc or disc drive!

[Davethedog]

Daffy it should still be under manufacturers warranty, get them to fix it. You should have taken it straight back to the shop, but they may not take it back now.

[society]

Cazzy,buy a laptop with between a 10 and 12 inches screen instead of a net-book.

[daffy654]

Davethedog...It was brand new in April this year and has a 12 month warranty, I bought it direct from the manufacturers website. When I phoned them about it they refused to refund or exchange as they said my daughter must have virused or damaged it herself. She swears blind she didn't. I can't afford to have it repaired professionally for her and she can't afford it herself as she is a working single mum to 2 kids and all her money is spoken for.