thinking of buying an netbook.

[terry_gardener]

Hello.

i am thinking of buying one of the netbooks for mainly light everyday use and can't decide which one.

I have narrowed it down to the following 3 netbook

acer aspire one a110 -aw (£176.15)
acer aspire one a150 -ab (£215.30)
Dell inspiron mini 9 (£243)

links to all netbooks below.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BZ923O/ref=s9sdps_c5_23_at3-rfc_p-frt_p_si3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0965R2H1XVEEEE1VC6KV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463374953&pf_rd_i=468294
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BZ4QV2/ref=s9subs_c5_23_at1-rfc_p-frt_p_si1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0965R2H1XVEEEE1VC6KV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463374933&pf_rd_i=468294
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

which is the best one to get. anyone had any experience with any of these.

Thanks

[artir]

[fanboy mode on] GET THE FSCKING DELL'S UBUNTUX0RZ 1337 PC [fanboy mode off]

[magmon]

1f y0ur g01ng t0 sp34k 1337, m4k3 1t 411 1337!!

[tsbaker]

I like HP's mini best. I could do with more than 16 GB SSD, but overall look, design, weight, It's my fav.

[terry_gardener]

just added an polling options to this thread. just found the option.
budget is less then £250.
needs to to be portable, small, light.
also only been looking at the linux versions of netbooks, dont really want windows.

[MikeTheC]

Hello.

i am thinking of buying one of the netbooks for mainly light everyday use and can't decide which one.

I have narrowed it down to the following 3 netbook

acer aspire one a110 -aw (£176.15)
acer aspire one a150 -ab (£215.30)
Dell inspiron mini 9 (£243)

links to all netbooks below.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BZ923O/ref=s9sdps_c5_23_at3-rfc_p-frt_p_si3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=0965R2H1XVEEEE1VC6KV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463374953&pf_rd_i=468294
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BZ4QV2/ref=s9subs_c5_23_at1-rfc_p-frt_p_si1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0965R2H1XVEEEE1VC6KV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463374933&pf_rd_i=468294
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

which is the best one to get. anyone had any experience with any of these.

Thanks
I've had a chance to play a bit with the first two you've mentioned over at one of our national chain computer stores, and from what I could tell, they really are neat little units. While a bigger person might have some difficulty with the size of the keyboard, I found I was able to adjust to it readily enough.

It goes without saying they're very light and can be inserted into just about any kind of luggage/baggage. So long as you know what you're getting yourself into (that is, you're not buying one of these on the false belief that it's "the same thing as" buying a £1000 laptop) I'd say go for it.

[Alexpants]

Having owned both Dell and Acer machines, I've got to say I really can't reccomend either. They don't nickname dell "Hell" for no reason ;)
If you've gotta pick, I guess the lesser of two evils is acer, but their customer support is horrific and they'll charge you for repairs even during the warantee period.

[gn2]

Get one of these while you still can: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/145008

[mips]

I would rather buy an OpenPandora, www.openpandora.org

[smartboyathome]

And I would rather get an Asus Eee or Samsung NC10. The latter may be out of your pricerange, though.

[NintendoTogepi]

Mini 9, definitely. :D

[myusername]

i would go for the dell mini 9. i asked for a eee pc 904ha for christmas though. it has a bigger hard drive. but if the mini had a bigger hard drive i would jump all over it

[diablo75]

I was about to buy a Dell Mini this morning for my girlfriend for Christmas, but they denied my credit app. Do they really think I can't afford a $15 per month payment plan??

[jaseanton]

Spend extra and get a Samsung NC10. Last I saw £293 at Staples, who've been quick to pass on the VAT decrease to consumers (PC World is charging £299, plus a premium for the black model).

I bought mine on Thursday and I can't pick a fault with it.

[lswest]

I just looked at it...I didn't notice any difference in the Dell specs? Why is one 10 pounds less? :P I didn't bother check customization options though.

Honestly, I'd go with the Acer 150 (because of the hard drive), or the new Lenovo S10 is also nice (but it doesn't seem to exist over here in Europe yet).

Just my $0.02 on the matter.
Lswest

[ugm6hr]

Looks like there's another £10 off the Dell.

Now £233. I'm tempted myself...

[Athanasius]

The MSI Wind is supposed to be very good. It has a 10" screen, 6 or 9 cell battery and a 160gb hard drive (although it is not solid state). The wireless is supposed to work with some tinkering but the guide below has places where you can buy wireless that works flawlessly with Ubuntu.

Instruction on how to install Ubuntu (http://wiki.msiwind.net/index.php/Ubuntu_8.04_Hardy_Heron)

I am hoping to get one for Christmas!!

[RookieUbuntuUser58]

The MSI Wind is supposed to be very good. It has a 10" screen, 6 or 9 cell battery and a 160gb hard drive (although it is not solid state). The wireless is supposed to work with some tinkering but the guide below has places where you can buy wireless that works flawlessly with Ubuntu.

Instruction on how to install Ubuntu (http://wiki.msiwind.net/index.php/Ubuntu_8.04_Hardy_Heron)

I am hoping to get one for Christmas!!

I have a MSI Wind and I can honestly say it is absolutely amazing. I have the 160GB 6 cell version (black). My stock wireless works great also, I found a driver package for Ubuntu through the MSI forums and haven't had any connection problems. Every feature pretty much works.

Only bad thing is my battery life is only 3hrs and 30mins (I hear that is normal though). It use to be in the 4hrs 30mins + range but after installing Ubuntu it somehow went down.

[gn2]

Looks like there's another £10 off the Dell.

Now £233. I'm tempted myself...

That's still a lot more than an AA1, but heading in the right direction.

[wubrgamer]

well, samsung nc10 is best

hands down

the aspire one's are alright, the keyboards are a toughie to type on, but you'll probably adapt, or sell it on ebay and get a new computer later...

but my only real advice here, STAY AWAY FROM THE DELL UNITS, the dell mini 9's are just poorly made, maybe dell will improve them, but for the moment, they are just poorly made machines

[jbonll08]

Have been using a Ausus 4g surf, it works well for a small unit. I have had access to a Mini Dell and HP. They are better.Yesterday I had an chance to play with an Acer Mini. They all worked o.k.. Since I am a large person with -big hands-):P I am waiting for a larger machine. In the meantime I will use my 4g as a small travel box.

[Flying caveman]

how about this one? http://www.zimbio.com/Ubuntu+Linux/articles/52/WIBRAIN+B1L+UMPC
really its an ultra portable, put I would still consider it a real PC.



I like this one too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016ONIS0/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=pc

oooh ooooh and this one is cool too. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DIY2D4/ref=pd_luc_sbs_02_02

[terry_gardener]

just to update the prices on my original thread are now wrong.

acer aspire one a110 (£170.74)if you go for blue not white.
acer aspire one A150 (199.99) if you go for blue not white.
dell mini 9 (£233)

[Phreaker]

I am in the same dilema
I am deciding between an eee pc 901,acer aspire one and msi wind

[earthpigg]

im loving my mini 9 ;)

[gn2]

just to update the prices on my original thread are now wrong.

acer aspire one a110 (£170.74)if you go for blue not white.

dell mini 9 (£233)

Is the Dell £62 better than the AA1?
No, it's worse than the Acer as it doesn't have two card readers or function keys.

[ugm6hr]

Is the Dell £62 better than the AA1?
No, it's worse than the Acer as it doesn't have two card readers or function keys.

Maybe. But the 4 vs 3-cell battery, built-in bluetooth and 1 GB vs 512MB RAM may be worth more to some?

[Warpnow]

I was about to buy a Dell Mini this morning for my girlfriend for Christmas, but they denied my credit app. Do they really think I can't afford a $15 per month payment plan??

No, if your credit is bad they think you can't be trusted to pay it. :-p

Poor credit reflects failure to pay in the past so they're worried you won't in the future.

[Warpnow]

I bought an AA1 a week ago. Its the version with SSD and 3 cell battery.

I bought a 16gb SD card for $35, when I plug it into the "SSD Expansion" slot, it software raids the card with the main memory giving me a 24gb SSD main drive, which is nice.

That said, Linpus -sucks- as an OS. Its fast, its small. It would work GREAT as an OS for the Wii, or another gaming console.

It has the fedora package manager...but installing apps through it WILL break your system. Updating old apps WILL break your system.

My advice: Get an AA1, but do NOT leave linpus on it. Install Xubuntu on it before you even touch it.

Unless, of course, the basic apps meet your needs. Installing new apps is a pain in the ***.

Edit: Other than that, it is a -very- solidly built piece of hardware. The keyboard is nice, and after a day or so on the screen you forget it is so small. VERY solid. Ten times more solid than my last laptop (Inspiron).

[Phreaker]

Does Xubuntu work out of the box with that?

[acelin]

I'd rather get a Mac Air and put Windows 7 Build 6801 on it.

[speedwell68]

I got my Mrs a AA1 150 and we are very happy with it. I'll agree that Linpus sucks, it lasted less than a day. I ran the update program and it spent well over 2 hours downloading only to fail at the install phase because of missing dependencies. I installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix on it and all is good. It needed no extra tweaking for hardware support and is the only OS that I have ever installed that took less than 10 mins.

[jacktar]

I have an Acer Aspire One 110 and apart from the small mouse pad buttons I have no problems with it, or with Linpus. I have removed the default desktop though and am using the standard XFCE desktop.

[gn2]

Maybe. But the 4 vs 3-cell battery, built-in bluetooth and 1 GB vs 512MB RAM may be worth more to some?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106116
http://tinyurl.com/56wyml
http://tinyurl.com/5glbr7

Which gives the option of selling the existing 512 and battery from the AA1 or having a spare battery and the bluetooth dongle can be swapped from one machine to another.

Oh, and the AA1 still has the second card reader and function keys...

Horses for courses though, opinions and choices will vary, but having seen both in the flesh I would opt for the AA1 over the Mini 9.

[ugm6hr]

Horses for courses though, opinions and choices will vary, but having seen both in the flesh I would opt for the AA1 over the Mini 9.

You make a very good point.

Those addons will only get cheaper given time, so perhaps a standard AA1 with a view to a new battery some time next year?

Although I gather you have to completely disassemble the AA1 to expand memory (will this void warranty?). I did find this offer interesting: http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/281244/acer-aspire-one-get-memory-upgraded/

Having run Linux on 512MB before, that is probably enough for most netbooks though.

I vote AA1.

[Ubuntu Joe]

You make a very good point.

Those addons will only get cheaper given time, so perhaps a standard AA1 with a view to a new battery some time next year?

Although I gather you have to completely disassemble the AA1 to expand memory (will this void warranty?). I did find this offer interesting: http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/281244/acer-aspire-one-get-memory-upgraded/

Having run Linux on 512MB before, that is probably enough for most netbooks though.

I vote AA1.


Not to further complicate matters, but I have been on this same journey through the diverse selection of Netbooks out there . . . holding out for the perfect buy. Ubuntu built-in is so wonderful as well . . . finally I am validated to all of my nay-saying friends who busted on my AWESOME OS. ANyway, my bid is for the yet-to-be-released, 10.2 HP Mini 1000 running Ubuntu (Netbook Remix, I believe from the pics) with 2G RAM, and that spacious 92% keyboard and a 16G SSD. See it and wonder:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/29/hps-new-mini-1000-and-mie-linux-make-netbooks-fun-again/

Release will be some time in January.

:guitar:

[notwen]

+1 satisfied Dell Inspiron Mini 9 owner here. Used it all the time for quick browsing and bed-time browsing. My 4cell battery lasts around 5-6 hrs surfing, streaming mp3s/videos from a nfs share and lightweight irc chatting. As far as the Mini 9s being poorly made, I don't know how one could justify this, but mine is rock solid, I'm not one to abuse a laptop/netbook but I certainly don't go out of my way to pamper it. It gets tossed around probably even more so than my laptops. Best of luck w/ whatever you do eventually decide. =]

[terry_gardener]

thank you for all the advise in this thread.

i ended up going for the acer aspire one.