netbook or notebook
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 17:43
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Member - Maureen W (NSW)
Gday everyone ,
I am in the market for a new laptop computer to take travelling with us. I would be using it for email, downloading pics and web browsing. I was wondering how many of you have the little netbooks which I like 2 GB or a 14 inch notebook, I have an external monitor for use at
home for hubby to read Exploreoz.
Thanks in advance everyone. Maureen
Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:14
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:14
Hello Maureen
I have traditionally used a notebook for those relatively simple tasks you describe but recently I set up a complete new system for navigation as
well as those other duties.
As a basis I used one of those $299 Netbooks and it has proved remarkably capable.
I began with the budget spec eepc but its 1 gig and 160g hard drive have proved more than adequate.
The real issues for us in the car tend to be sufficent screen brightness and something that can actually be operated whilst driving (by passenger).
It was important to get a unit with a matt screen that does not refect and also with a matte casing that surrounds the screen.
I only found this in the eeepc as these features are becoming non-existent in run of the mill notebooks.
The main catch with netbook is that it has no DVD, you can of course get external ones , but all this clutter defeats the purpose for me.
Lack of DVD makes it harder to initially load programs , but this is go around by loading programs like Ozi-exploror / Office etc onto a USB stick then copying across and running setup etc.
The sheer ease of use and unobtrusive style has meant that I now actually carry the little unit into MacDonalds stores and use free internet etc.
You did not refer to navigation, but it can be effectively implemented with the little GPS mouse advertized on this site. This is what I used.
Bluetooth is also a useful acessory or feature and I implemented that with a small USB stick so that I can more easily transfer pictures from the phone.
As a result of the above we carry less stuff now and have saved a little bit of weight out of the car.
AnswerID:
413809
Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:21
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2010 at 19:21
I second all of that I have a 14in laptop and found it far too big to use in the car and was a nuisance on the
table in the van. I bought an 10 in Akoya from Aldi
(re-badged MSI Wind) and it has been fine. Has a matte screen and works with a bluetooth GPS
Not so good for editing pics but I have left
mine till I got
home.
A worthwhile buy is something like a WD 1tb External disk drive ($139 ) now for having a backup of everything.
I backed up my pics file to both the laptop and the HDD just to make sure.
Also good to hide in the van somewhere in case your computers get nicked
Cheers
FollowupID:
683985
Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 08:48
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 08:48
Maureen
There is a theoretical advantage in having a solid state drive rather than a mechanical hard disk.
Although I've never had a problem with my old Toshiba laptop or my Mac Mini, there is a chance that vibration (or less likely dust) interfering with drive reliability.
The eeePC of course has solid state drives.
The eeePC display is not as clear or
bright as some others, so a car mounted external display may be an option.
AnswerID:
413875
Follow Up By: Member - Kingsley N (SA) - Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 23:58
Friday, Apr 23, 2010 at 23:58
Not So. I just bought an eee PC model 1001HA including an external DVD from Myers. Great price $339. I did intend to use it in the car as a navigation device but guess what - it has a mechanical HDD. And the manual starts off with a warning to ensure that the power is off when transporting the thing.
I know that some EEE PCs do have solid state Flash drives and they may be OK. I will continue to use my PDA style device for off road and my GPS street navigator to find my way around Australia.
The 1001HA is a great little device and it will come in handy for web browsing and trip planning, but I will not be using it while I am on the move. I am in fact using it right now for this message.
Kingo
FollowupID:
684318
Reply By: Sillydad (WA) - Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 10:38
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 at 10:38
I picked up a mini (10") Dell and Oziexplorer a year or so ago and found it great! Small enough to fit in the front of the car without getting in the way, slips under the
seat in a neoprene bag for storage, etc.
Yes, no DVD and small keyboard, typing essays (or
blogs for Exploroz...) takes a bit longer, but overall am very happy with it.
Cheers,
Tristan
AnswerID:
413884