traveling laptop or "netbook"

[marko456]

Traveling to LOS and need access to email in LOS.

I really don't want to go to a net cafe, so what is out there to update to a light email machine. NOT a tech dude, butt can handle most tech stuff.

 

What I want is a light new net/note email machine as cheap as possible.

 

Some of you young whippsnappers help out a tech not savay monger!!

Mark

[RustyGiraffe]

How much money are you willing to spend on this email machine? And how often will you need to be using it.

If you just want to check an email every now and then, I would suggest using a cell phone for that.

If you get a lot of emails and want to check every day, and do some web browsing -- maybe you should get a very very small notebook computer, provided that your hotel offers internet to those with computers.

[Craig_ozz]

Mark,

 

I use an acer laptop with 8.5" screen. Its small and weights less than 1kg and easily fits into my small carry on bag.

 

Just log onto the wireless network at hotel and away you go

[marko456]

Mark,

 

I use an acer laptop with 8.5" screen. Its small and weights less than 1kg and easily fits into my small carry on bag.

 

Just log onto the wireless network at hotel and away you go

 

That is the info I'm looking for. I just want to be able to check emails and maybe a bit of surfing. NOT a 3K wizbag gamers model

[marko456]

How much money are you willing to spend on this email machine? And how often will you need to be using it.

If you just want to check an email every now and then, I would suggest using a cell phone for that.

If you get a lot of emails and want to check every day, and do some web browsing -- maybe you should get a very very small notebook computer, provided that your hotel offers internet to those with computers.

 

I will answer you with this ( shows what I know ) Email on a cell phone ???

Really when did that happen >????

 

As to a small net-book ( is that the correct name) 3-500 USD

[MickN]

Hi Marko,

 

Netbooks are pretty cool.

 

I have an ASUS eeePC 1005HA, Amazing Battery life ( 10 Hours surfing ), over 6 Hours of video playback etc etc, great little machine.

 

I just used it to watch movies on a flight to Tokyo from Bangkok, then on the bus ride from Narita to Roppongi, watching Video files, lasted the whole journey.

 

Glad I had it on Thai Airways, old 747/400, no entertainment at all in seats !!

 

A fully charged netbook and some noise cancelling headphones, it's all good.

 

Go for the netbook !!

 

Check this out. http://www.amazon.com/Seashell-1001P-PU17-BK-10-1-Inch-Netbook-Battery/dp/B00322PYXG/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1/187-3275314-4765320

 

 

Good luck..... Mick.

Edited May 10, 2010 by MickN

[marko456]

Thanks Mick,

Prices ??

I'm lucky have a BOSE store close by to check out the headphones.

Thanks

Mark

[Craig_ozz]

Yep the acer looks basically the same. You can buy in Australia for less than $500 AUD - not sure about the USA but would think similar.

[Archer4]

+1 for a Netbook, highly recommended for your needs and I personally think the pick of the bunch are from Samsung and Asus. I am writing this on a Samsung N210 bought especially for my trip. The wireless is great and I use it for surfing and emails, I also loaded 30 odd movies on the Hard Drive which is great for hanging around in airports or as stated on flights with no or poor entertainment. Bang on some good headphones and you are in a world of your own.

 

Things to look out for IMO:

 

 

• A 10.1” anti-reflective display which reduces bothersome light reflections. The shiny gloss screens make pictures look nice, but the reflections will eventually drive you nuts.
  
• A good solid keyboard, Samsung and Asus consistently get good reviews for their keyboards.
  
• Good web support - if you need new drivers or software, Asus, Samsung, Dell and HP have very good web support.
  
• Look for the new range of netbooks with the Intel® ATOM™ Processor N450. This new proccessor uses less power, so increases your battery life.
   
  

 

These netbooks are all highly recommended models.

Samsung N210 - long battery life

Samsung NB30 - rugged rubberised casing, good for travel

Asus Eee PC 1001P - one of the best value Netbooks out there Eee PC 1001P

Toshiba NB305 - very good keyboard and build quality, but gloss screen

 

I work in IT and spent a good deal of time researching these before I bought one. Personally I wood go for a Samsung, but it has to be the new N450 processor. What ever you buy, if it's only got 1GB RAM, upgrade this to 2GB which is a simple task to do. Check www.ebuyer.com or Amazon for good prices. (www.newegg.com in the US)

 

The other benefit of a Netbook is they should fit into most hotel safes if they are a sensible size. I cannot recommend them enough for their all round useabilty for a traveller. As you can see the Netbook sits nicely on the top shelf there

 

[murtle71]

Mate if your not going to use it after you get back home then just use the one at the motel for a small fee most have them...

 

save the money you would of wasted buying something you dont need so you can spend more on some young thai girls

 

you can log onto most email accounts from any computer at all just remember to make sure you dont save the passwords and you'll be ok...

 

but if you are looking for a new computer then i would get something with about a 15inch display, but i really hate the small screens of the net books

[MickN]

Thanks Mick,

Prices ??

I'm lucky have a BOSE store close by to check out the headphones.

Thanks

Mark

 

Around 300$ for the Netbook.

 

I Also have Bose Quiet Comfort 3 headphones, unfortunately they are as expensive as the netbook !!

 

But no worries, there are cheaper sets, plus you can buy in ear phones if you don't wanna spend big bucks.

 

I was lucky and got my Bose Headphones for free from a company rep that I know, would I have paid 350$ for them ? I doubt it, but they are very good on a long flight, cuts down nearly all jet engine noise, and screaming kids too if you're travelling in coach class.

 

Good luck Mark, there are setups to suit all pockets, for me the main thing was portability and battery life, I have a 15" laptop too, but the battery life sucks and it's nowhere near as portable as a 10.1" Netbook.

 

Let us know what route you finally take.

 

Mick.

[marko456]

Leaning to the samsung, but have not been to the bestbuy yet to see what they have on the shelve, as I want to try the actual unit before I spend my cash.

Yep, the Bose headphones are pricy but after 4 trips in the last year to MEL from TPA I should have allready bought a pair.

Mark

[Tariq]

Another vote for a netbook. Personal recommendations are the Asus eee and HP Mini. Both around the same price. Asus has a better battery life.

 

Another benefit of the netbook is that it can easily fit in all hotel safes with no problem. Once you are done browsing, just stick it in the room safe.

 

As an IT professional, I try to stick with specialised computer manufacturers when buying computers. I would personally buy an Asus or an HP. I would avoid Samsung. YMMV.

[gilligan]

Around 300$ for the Netbook.

 

I Also have Bose Quiet Comfort 3 headphones, unfortunately they are as expensive as the netbook !!

 

But no worries, there are cheaper sets, plus you can buy in ear phones if you don't wanna spend big bucks.

 

I was lucky and got my Bose Headphones for free from a company rep that I know, would I have paid 350$ for them ? I doubt it, but they are very good on a long flight, cuts down nearly all jet engine noise, and screaming kids too if you're travelling in coach class.

 

Good luck Mark, there are setups to suit all pockets, for me the main thing was portability and battery life, I have a 15" laptop too, but the battery life sucks and it's nowhere near as portable as a 10.1" Netbook.

 

Let us know what route you finally take.

 

Mick.

i was going to buy a pair of the bose noise reducing headphones. someone told me that they are great when you are on a plane or bus, but there is a "buzzing" sound if you use them when it is quiet (like in your room). is that true?

[jasonbalmer]

i was going to buy a pair of the bose noise reducing headphones. someone told me that they are great when you are on a plane or bus, but there is a "buzzing" sound if you use them when it is quiet (like in your room). is that true?

 

Mine don't.

[Trespass]

I will answer you with this ( shows what I know ) Email on a cell phone ???

Really when did that happen >????

 

As to a small net-book ( is that the correct name) 3-500 USD

 

Mark:

 

Picked this up before my last trip to Patts (surely you have a BestBuy near you in Tampa): ASUS Eee netbook

 

Solid, inexpensive @$279, very long-lasting battery; but no internal DVD drive You can pick one up an USB-connecting external DVD drive in patts (Tuk.com, South Pattay Rd.) for about 300 Baht.

 

Good Luck

 

- T

Edited May 11, 2010 by Trespass

[jonerich]

I have the acer Aspire one my nephew has the Samsung and i would not recommend as the video playback is choppy and over all feel of the unit is very generic and cheaply built The Acers have a better screen also for some reason same spec almost as the acer. Your in Florida me too till aug i would just goto compusa I paid 239 for mine 1.6 atom 160gig hard drive built in card reader camera,mic 1 gig ram 8.9 inch screen small light east to travel with i have the 3 cell battery last about 2.20min but with six cell you could double it the only drawback like i said is battery life. You really cant beat this deal for 269 U.S it also has GSM and the 6 cell battery (you can insert a sim card like from your cell phone into the Netbook and get wireless anywhere)!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

LINK:Acer

Edited May 11, 2010 by jonerich

[jojo90]

I did a load of research into this and ended up with an Acer 1810TZ for the following reasons:

 

1) CPU is noticeably faster than the Atom CPUs you find in netbooks

2) Display is 1366*720 i.e. more pixels than netbooks

3) Plenty of RAM

4) Thinner than a netbook

5) Battery life is comparable (if not better than) the current crop of netbooks

6) Nice keyboard

 

It really is worth sinking a little extra cash into one of these machines than going for a netbook... It is so much better than my Asus 1000HA and I don't have any need for a bigger laptop. This allows me to run multiple virtual machines (instances of windows within windows), process large RAW files from my camera in Lightroom & Photoshop, play back 1080p movies, edit movies etc. with no issues.

 

If you are a gamer then Dell make an ultra portable laptop which is essentially the same innards as the 1810TZ but with a powerful graphics card (and a big price premium).

[Archer4]

^ But you have bought a laptop because you want a laptop! A netbook is not designed to carry out the tasks you have mentioned above, it is what it says on the tin - an internet device, small portable and light with extended battery life. And you will NOT get an Acer laptop that outlasts the current crop of N450 Netbooks. All your other points are indeed correct, but the battery comment is most definitely incorrect, unless you buy a totally rubbish Netbook.

 

I mean lets face it, who on earth would buy a Netbook to run Virtual Machines, edit movies or RAW files in Photoshop?

[marko456]

Thanks for all the great info !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I just want to be able to do email, and surf the web. In my loom

Mark

 

 

PS off to bestbuy tomorrow to what they have on the shelf, and thanks about the Tutcom info about cd/dvd USB player as I will bring some CD's of my fav music. One day I guess I will have to get a Ipod *G*

[Trespass]

Thanks for all the great info !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I just want to be able to do email, and surf the web. In my loom

Mark

 

 

PS off to bestbuy tomorrow to what they have on the shelf, and thanks about the Tutcom info about cd/dvd USB player as I will bring some CD's of my fav music. One day I guess I will have to get a Ipod *G*

 

Good luck. Now that I think about it it was probably more than 300 baht for the DVD drive. But whatever it was it was comparable or less to buying one here. I would check Best Buy and if you can get one at $40 - $50 buy here.