Best Net Book!

[Brasilia Pup]

If you are not a power-user, check out the iPad. I bought the basic model, 16-gig, no 3G, and I'm impressed with it's ease-of-use and functionality. Not to mention that it is only 0.5" thick and 1.5 pounds. Too bad I bought I for my wife to use around the house while I'm away on a trip with the lap-top. Wishing I'd bought one for myself.

 

[Lrjtcaptain]

Dell Mini 10V with mac 10.6 Its a little macbook. I hacked one, then created a new skin for the front. It works perfect. Much better to haul to work then the macbook pro. If your not a mac guy then disregard.

 

[CutEmUp]

I have an Acer AspireOne 8.9"

I got it two years ago (before they were even called "net" books). I've had absolutely zero hardware problems with it and I keep it in my rollaboard on every trip. It will even fit in the top of my flightcase for an out-and-back with a long sit. I was lucky, and since at the time I bought it there was not much of a market for them (and portable DVD players were on the way out) I got a padded carrying case (for DVD players) on clearance from best buy for $2. I would highly recommend the extra padding but plan on spending at least $15 for one now.

I don't think you can get the 8.9" anymore as they have all changed over to the 10.1". The keyboard is exactly the same size (which was my biggest problem at first, but you get used to the size quickly) on the larger screen model. Also, my battery is only good for about 90 minutes now. Not unreasonable for a two year old battery. A friend just got a new one with the giant battery that sticks out the back and it lasts over six hours...for now.

Like I said, this thing is built like a tank, and I've had no issues.

Make sure you get a boot disc from acer for free within a year of purchase. If you wait longer, and the warranty is up, it will cost you $20. Mine crashed just over a year after I bought it and I needed the disc.

P.S. Saw them on Woot.com a couple of weeks back for $200.

 

[AvroJockey]

Ipad no thanks. Not going to spend that much money on a half laptop. thanks though..

Isn't that what you asked for? A Netbook...1/2 a laptop.

 

[dojetdriver]

I have an Acer AspireOne 8.9"

I got it two years ago (before they were even called "net" books). I've had absolutely zero hardware problems with it and I keep it in my rollaboard on every trip. It will even fit in the top of my flightcase for an out-and-back with a long sit. I was lucky, and since at the time I bought it there was not much of a market for them (and portable DVD players were on the way out) I got a padded carrying case (for DVD players) on clearance from best buy for $2. I would highly recommend the extra padding but plan on spending at least $15 for one now.

I don't think you can get the 8.9" anymore as they have all changed over to the 10.1". The keyboard is exactly the same size (which was my biggest problem at first, but you get used to the size quickly) on the larger screen model. Also, my battery is only good for about 90 minutes now. Not unreasonable for a two year old battery. A friend just got a new one with the giant battery that sticks out the back and it lasts over six hours...for now.

Like I said, this thing is built like a tank, and I've had no issues.

Make sure you get a boot disc from acer for free within a year of purchase. If you wait longer, and the warranty is up, it will cost you $20. Mine crashed just over a year after I bought it and I needed the disc.

P.S. Saw them on Woot.com a couple of weeks back for $200.

I've got the same thing. The portability of the thing is amazing. I also have the LINUX OS and an SSD. Dropped it multiple times and it still works great. If there is no password or connection issues, the time from power up to surfing the internet is under 50 seconds. Shutdown time is about 10 seconds.

Same battery issues as you. New, it lasted about 2 hours, now it's down to about 90 minutes. A buddy of mine has the uber 9 cell battery and it lasts a long time. I simply don't need that, as well as the huge bulge/weight it creates. Also cool that most netbooks have a built in webcam, more on this later.

The drawbacks are the small keyboard if doing a lot of typing. Also, the 8.9" screen has some aspect ratio issues. Not really a big deal. Also, for long term use the screen is a little small after a while. I hop on my 13" mac and it feels like I'm front row at the IMAX after a 4 day trip of using my netbook.

The ipad is a cool piece of equipment. And it can really depend on your needs. But the netbooks have an built in webcam, USB/SD card support, and can run flash. Things the ipad (first gen) don't have.

I've seen the AAO 8.9" on buy.com

 

[AvroJockey]

If your not a mac guy then disregard.

...or switch!

To each his own, but anyone running Windows anymore these days is just a lemming. There are way better OSs other there. Oh...and don't get me started on MSIE!!!! Why Microsoft ignores web coding standards is beyond me.

The dual-boot Hackintosh is a good idea for anyone wanting to save some $$$ and still have Windows, OSX, or Linux.

Though I digress...my vote would be for the iPad. It's all about opportunity costs. What may seem expensive makes up for lack of headaches and waisted time...lots of waisted time.

 

[dojetdriver]

...or switch!

To each his own, but anyone running Windows anymore these days is just a lemming. There are way better OSs other there. Oh...and don't get me started on MSIE!!!! Why Microsoft ignores web coding standards is beyond me.

The dual-boot Hackintosh is a good idea for anyone wanting to save some $$$ and still have Windows, OSX, or Linux.

Though I digress...my vote would be for the iPad. It's all about opportunity costs. What may seem expensive makes up for lack of headaches and waisted time...lots of waisted time.

Or just get an AAO/ASUS with the LINUX OS installed. Or the windows models and download one of the multiple LINUX platforms and set it up for dual boot. Or just get rid it of that Windows crap altogether. Whatever floats your boat.

The sub $500 "netbooks" can do all this nicely. As well as offer a host of other features that the ipad doesn't for the same portability. At least no yet anyway.

One thing about the LINUX, I can run various browsers, which comes in handy for my company as far as things like bidding are concerned. The iphone/ipad OS simply won't work.

 

[rumorhasit]

D. oes not
e. ven
l. ast
l. long

I switched to apple a year ago. Best move I ever made... Ipad is a lil high but a 12-17 hr battery life???? That's alot of movies..

 

[Erlanger]

TRS 80 or Commadore :laugh:

A Trash 80 we use to call them.

 

[cfi on the fly]

I put alot of research into this a couple of months ago. Finally endend up with an Asus 1201n.

This particular model actually has a 12 inch screen, but comes very close to the form factor of a 10 inch netbook because it doesn't have the huge bezel that is on most 10 inchers.

I had a 10 netbook and for me the screen and keyboard was just too small for the use I put on it. I think that 12 inch is really the sweet spot for portability and viewing.

The Asus 1201n also has the ion graphics chip that makes playing 1080p video a breeze while other netbooks stutter. It has an hdmi connection which is really nice for the overnights that have flat panel tvs, one connections and your streaming netflix on the big screen.

For $480 Ive been very happy, and would not trade for the ipad my brother is constantly trying to hold correctly and type on without falling over--pretty funny to watch.

 

[Flyin2low]

iPad 3g.

1/2 a net book, but 10 times as useful. Instant boot up. I don't even put it airplane mode and still stays at 98% at the end of 6 legs.

 

[dispatchguy]

I have an MSI Wind Notebook - 100GB HD and a crapload of RAM. Got it over a year ago before we went to China - its been thru hell and back, multiple jumpseat trips, China, you name it. 3 USB ports, a camera card port, external monitor port.

No hardware issues whatsoever, about 90-120mins on battery. When at home I have a standard size monitor hooked up to it. I wish I could hook up a standard size keyboard, but other than that - its been a real trooper.

 

[Carl_Spackler]

I have an MSI Wind Notebook - 100GB HD and a crapload of RAM. Got it over a year ago before we went to China - its been thru hell and back, multiple jumpseat trips, China, you name it. 3 USB ports, a camera card port, external monitor port.

No hardware issues whatsoever, about 90-120mins on battery. When at home I have a standard size monitor hooked up to it. I wish I could hook up a standard size keyboard, but other than that - its been a real trooper.

You can hook up a usb keyboard to your netbook.....sould work just fine.

 

[dojetdriver]

iPad 3g.

1/2 a net book, but 10 times as useful. Instant boot up. I don't even put it airplane mode and still stays at 98% at the end of 6 legs.

Again, depends on your needs. If I was doing day trips, or even 2 days with short overnights, the ipad would probably suffice, barely. Actually my iphone would probably be all I need. Except if I had to bid or something on the overnight.

But your statement that it's "10 times more useful" probably isn't really valid for guys gone for 4+ days at a time. Especially if you toss in things like having to carry additional equipment to get the SAME functionality as a netbook. Who wants to carry the external camera if they want to Skype with the family? Who wants to carry the keyboard if they're doing extensive typing?

Netbooks have SD/USB ports for easy data transfer if you need to share something. As opposed to putting the info on a conventional desktop/laptop, THEN synching it.

The idea that it was marketed as a "netbook replacement" simply isn't true. At least not in it's current configuration/capability.

When you say "instant bootup", is there an "airplane mode" like the phone? Or are you talking about a power up from turning the unit off? If the later, read my previous post. My AAO running LINUX boots faster than my iphone from a complete power down. How does the ipad stack up in power up time compared to an iphone? I'm not talking till it acquires the phone signal, just from the time you hit the power button, wait on the apple to go away, and get your home screen.

 

[DoinTime]

Or are you talking about a power up from turning the unit off?

Why are you turning the thing all the way off? Apple's like a restart every couple months but other than that they run for years without ever being off. Just put it to sleep and your fine.