Netbook?

[linel]

Hey guys....

Is it a good idea to buy this..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-X31-CHEAP-LAPTOP-NETBOOK-1-6GHZ-1GB-100GB-WIFI-XP-/320602697329?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item4aa568ee71

Will it work ok with ubuntu?
Need a cheap netbook to take to uni with me since i have big gaps between lectures..

What do you think?

[Spice Weasel]

That, I believe is a Thinkpad. I've heard they are very good and last for a long time. :) Planning to get one soon myself.

[earthpigg]

I don't think that's a netbook, but rather an older laptop.

The same lack of power that netbooks typically have, without the compactness or good battery life. Batteries store less and less juice with use, too, and this will come with a used battery.

Expect it to be just a tad faster than a first gen netbook, with 1 hour of battery life.

EDIT: and don't expect the wifi to work with modern wifi encryption protocols.

[PhilGil]

Be aware that this is not a modern netbook. This is a class of computer called an "ultraportable", which predate netbooks. There are a lot of ebayers trying to pass off older, small laptops as netbooks, which I think is dishonest.

This machine is probably about 7 years old. So, while Thinkpads were (and are) solid laptops, you are taking a risk buying a machine that old. I have no idea what newer used/refurbished netbooks go for in the UK, so I can't tell you whether that's a good price.

[Cobracommand0]

This looks almost exactly like the IBM one of my roommates owned. It was a pretty decent laptop, but the battery life was terrible.. We ended up hooking it to the living room sound system/projector, removed the battery, and left the power brick plugged in... It ceased to exist as a laptop but we had 720p at 102" for StarCraft II beta!

[CharlesA]

It's definitely not a netbook. The battery life is going to be pretty "meh" at the least.

Would be better to find something like an Asus netbook, the one I have works out of the box with 10.04 (and probably 10.10, but I haven't tested it)

[linel]

hmm would this be any better?


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASUS-10-EEE-PC-NOTEBOOK-WINDOWS-XP-Net-book-UK-stock-/300477414048?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item45f5d97aa0

[PhilGil]

Yes, something like the 2nd option would be much better. I have an ASUS eee pc 1000h, which runs 10.04 flawlessly (although I did have to upgrade to a newer kernel to get my wireless working properly).

[CharlesA]

The second one would be better.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

The first one is an ultra-portable laptop that may be 6 years old. It is probably older than the average laptop life expectancy. That is to much money. The battery probably doesn't last very long either, unless it was not install in the laptop most of the time.

The second one is better. The porocessor is 1.66GHz not 166MHz in the ebay listing.

[PhilGil]

Actually, that particular netbook looks very good. The seller has great feedback (just be sure he's sold other computers before), the machine is supposed to be in excellent condition and it's only 20 quid more than the old Thinkpad.

[johntaylor1887]

The price on that Asus netbook is OK, but that's about 320 US dollars. I recently bought an Acer Aspire One for 199 US dollars, or about 100 UK, and it has the same specs as the Asus. But who knows, in the UK, 159 quid may be a good deal.

[PhilGil]

The price on that Asus netbook is OK, but that's about 320 US dollars. I recently bought an Acer Aspire One for 199 US dollars, or about 100 UK, and it has the same specs as the Asus. But who knows, in the UK, 159 quid may be a good deal.
Computer prices in the UK are significantly higher than they are in the States. The least expensive new Aspire One on Amazon UK is 199 Pounds: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Aspire-10-1-Inch-Netbook-Battery/dp/B00284C96E/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1287093940&sr=1-7

[CharlesA]

Heh. The Netbook I have now cost around $450 with tax and whatnot, but it's small and works great with Linux.

I guess I paid for the size and battery life. *shrug*

[linel]

im so confused aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :confused:

[CharlesA]

im so confused aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :confused:

Confused with what? The second netbook that you found would be better then the first.

[linel]

yea.. i know but im confused in general if its a good move or if i should save for a new one? i have no idea :s

[CharlesA]

New one would probably be a bit more expensive, but if a decent used one is half the price, you save some money for almost the same product.

[PhilGil]

yea.. i know but im confused in general if its a good move or if i should save for a new one? i have no idea :s

Please note that this is my personal opinion...

I'm a big fan of buying used or remanufactured items. It's good for the planet and it's good for my wallet.

If you're a person who just has to have new stuff (or if the cosmetic damage on the cover will bother you every time you look at the netbook), then you should save for a new one.

[drawkcab]

Look for a refurb!