PDA

View Full Version : [SOLVED] Help on Picking a New Computer



Nxion
October 20th, 2008, 06:52 PM
Well I decided to get a new computer and wanted to go with a netbook. The only problem is I don't know which one to get. I have two I was looking at and I just can't decide. I would like to know what you all think about the two I am considering. The pros, cons, likes and dislikes. Also how functional it is. And would it be worth it for me even to consider one.

Well I have been looking at the Asus EeePC and the Dell Insprion Mini 9

Thoughts?

I-75
October 20th, 2008, 07:34 PM
Just be aware there is a partition problem with the Dell Inspiron


Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Ships with Annoying Disk Partition Error


http://gizmodo.com/5065657/dell-inspiron-mini-9-ships-with-annoying-disk-partition-error

gn2
October 20th, 2008, 07:41 PM
The Dell has a lower capacity battery than is available in an Eee, but it has a good distro installed, possibly the best distro ;)

The Eee is a range of Netbooks, currently the best one imo is the 901 which has a very good six cell 6600mah battery, the best standard fitment battery of any netbook.
There are aftermarket batteries available for the Eee range with far higher capacity, up to 12000mah.

Also worth considering is the forthcoming Toshiba NB100 which will also have Ubuntu.

Ben Miller-Jacobson
October 20th, 2008, 08:04 PM
Ni Hao, Nxion! I have heard good things about the Eee, though the included OS is supposed to be rather dumbed-down compared to most distros. One of my friends claims it runs well with 8.04.

As for the dell, I haven't heard much about them, but it looks shiny (with the exception of that partitioning error). As long as you don't go with the Capissen 38 option (AKA windows xp), I suspect it would meet your needs as well, but over all I would probably go with the Eee.

(Yes, I noticed your sig!)

happyisland
October 20th, 2008, 09:09 PM
I own an EEE 900, and I must warn against that particular model, even though they are VERY cheap right now.

When I bought it I switched from the terrible xandros distro to the very slick ubuntu-eee (http://ubuntu-eee.com/), which runs fine.

The problems are:

1) the processor can't keep up even with simple tasks like browsing the web and writing emails, and there is a lot of lag, especially when operating on battery power due to processor scaling.

2) it gets very hot, which has caused issues such as temporary non-working spacebar...

3) I also personally have decided that the screen is just too small. This is not a rap on the eee, but on netbooks in general. For my next ultraportable laptop I will be buying one with a minimum 12" screen.



On the plus side, it is definitely an eye-catcher, and I've gotten lots of compliments when using it in public.

NE Key
October 20th, 2008, 09:25 PM
I don't know what a netbook is.

Is that a mini-laptop ? (I am still using old fashioned names for things)

I find the Dell Inspiron 1525 very suitable (Ubuntu pre-loaded) and in my ignorance of all the other possible items on the market find it meets my needs perfectly.

gn2
October 21st, 2008, 07:41 AM
I don't know what a netbook is.

Is that a mini-laptop ?

It is.

Here's an idea of just how small, an Asus Eee 900 sitting on top of a 15" Macbook Pro:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2538461633_2e3efdccae.jpg

SunnyRabbiera
October 21st, 2008, 07:47 AM
It is.

Here's an idea of just how small, an Asus Eee 900 sitting on top of a 15" Macbook Pro:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2538461633_2e3efdccae.jpg

Thats one of my gripes with the cloud computers, they are too small for me.

Nxion
October 29th, 2008, 06:47 PM
Thanks everyone for the info. I might just hold off on a netbook for right now.

snowpine
October 29th, 2008, 06:53 PM
I just picked up a new eee 900ha last week. It's got an Atom processor and a 160gb hard drive and was only US$349. It's my first netbook and I like it very much so far. It came with Windows XP installed, but installing Ubuntu eee 8.04 (a "remix" specific to the eee) was easy. There's also the 904ha, which has a larger keyboard and battery for only $50 more, if you want something a teeny bit closer to a "regular" laptop.

Netbooks are really fun, and you should get one! :) Of course there is always something better coming down the line--if you wait 6 months, there will be a new model with great new features--but sooner or later you just need to dive into the pool!

gn2
October 29th, 2008, 07:16 PM
I just picked up a new eee 900ha last week.

One thing to be aware of is that the 900A has a different connector for the battery than the regular Celeron 900 and the Atom 901, so the larger capacity batteries for the 900 and 901 will not fit the 900A.

snowpine
October 29th, 2008, 07:20 PM
One thing to be aware of is that the 900A has a different connector for the battery than the regular Celeron 900 and the Atom 901, so the larger capacity batteries for the 900 and 901 will not fit the 900A.

Same is true for my 900HA.

steveneddy
October 29th, 2008, 07:49 PM
Not a netbook - but this is my choice.

http://system76.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=76

http://system76.com/images/daru3_open_med.jpg