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netbook

wilsonsammwilsonsamm
edited March 2012 in Chit chat
I'm thinking about buying a cheap netbook. Normally I use a desktop computer, but sometimes a cheap laptop I take around to places. My last one has just packed it in so I am looking around for a new one now.I'm looking for a light, quiet, cool one that runs Linux and has an OK battery life... There are so many models that I don't know which to go for. Also I have only a very small amount of money.

Does anyone have/use/recommend one?
Post edited by wilsonsamm on

Comments

  • SaboteurSaboteur
    edited March 2012
    Depends on your definition of cheap, what screensize you want and what u really want to do with it.

    Is a tablet any good ?? there are plenty of good android tablets about.
  • Matt_BMatt_B
    edited March 2012
    If you want something cheap and cheerful with great battery life, have a look at the Samsung NC110. I use an N220, which is an older but similar machine, and it's proved very useful.
  • wilsonsammwilsonsamm
    edited March 2012
    That Samsung one looks quite nice. But I've found this other one: hp mini 110. It's about half the price, but I couldn't see any significant difference in the specs. Am I missing something?
  • zxbrunozxbruno
    edited March 2012
    Never tried the Samsung one myself. All the HP Minis I worked on were (imo) too slow. Can't remember if they all had 1GB of ram or not.

    My current favorite "netbook" is the Acer Aspire AO722-0825. It's something in between a netbook and a laptop. No optical drive but with its 4GB of ram (standard, upgradeable to 8GB) it's a much better machine. Still small (11.6" screen size), battery life isn't as good as that Samsung, but a good amount of ram is always good.
  • Matt_BMatt_B
    edited March 2012
    wilsonsamm wrote: »
    That Samsung one looks quite nice. But I've found this other one: hp mini 110. It's about half the price, but I couldn't see any significant difference in the specs. Am I missing something?

    Half the price? The Samsung ones should set you back about ?200 and I'd be very surprised if you can get the HP Mini 110 for half that; a quick peek on Google shopping suggested that prices are similar but if you can get one for ?100 jump at it.

    So far as I can tell, I think the battery life on the Samsung is a bit better, but other than that they're of similar spec; most netbooks are, as there's not a huge choice of CPU and chipsets.
  • zxbrunozxbruno
    edited March 2012
    And since he wants to replace Windows with Linux, I guess it doesn't really matter how much ram it has. :razz:
  • HairyHairy
    edited March 2012
    I've got a Samsung N130, had it about a year, use it quite a lot and the battery still lasts as long as it did when new. It cost ?230 when new.

    It's fast enough for what I use it for, which is browsing, playing AVIs and emulation.
  • HerculesHercules
    edited March 2012
    I would say most netbooks will be okay, but if in doubt check, as some use non standard chipsets for wifi, etc which might not always work under particular distros... For a safe bet, I would go for an EEE PC... If you want a computer for just linux, buy a netbook second hand, as that way you avoid paying for Windows (cough) that is always included as part of the price with any new computer...

    Final tip: You can install 'jupiter' under linux, which allows you to control the CPU performance modes, turn off bluetooth, etc which help to give you a little extra juice out of the battery when out and about. Recommend you install it on your shiny new netbook when you get it :)
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