Netbooks?

[WizeOne]

I certainly like their size. Are they any good? Which are good ones? How are you supposed to load things on without a DVD?

Woot has a Gateway for $199 but I do not like the sound of the Win 7 Starter OS.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Netbooks?

I was looking at Netbooks until I stumbled on the Sprint EVO...the screen is almost as big.

No kidding, it's handier cause it serves so many purposes besides being a phone. Great chartplotter and or car GPS with talking directions.

Internet anywhere there's a cell tower. Nifty free apps. Voice dialing and texting/searches. Two cameras (front and back) so you can video conference...

I'm not affiliated -- just love mine and have totally given up the thought of a netbook.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Netbooks?

I certainly like their size. Are they any good? Which are good ones? How are you supposed to load things on without a DVD?

Woot has a Gateway for $199 but I do not like the sound of the Win 7 Starter OS.

you load through a thumb drive, flash drive or external CD ROM.
Win 7 starter is just a lite version that runs faster without drawing a bunch of power. It may not have all the features as the full 7 version.

Both the kids have netbooks and they work great for them.

 

[Pony]

Re: Netbooks?

I have a netbook as well, but I have xp on it. I haven't heard anything really bad about the win 7 lites. They are what they are. They are perfect for tooling around the web and basic word processing. It can get annoying though, as sometimes you have to do a lot of scrolling on web pages.

The EVO is nice but its still a phone.......1/4 the size of a netbook isn't really all that close. Thats like saying a 20" TV is like watching a 42" TV. Plus I need a keyboard . The netbook will also cost WAY less once you factor in Data plans.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Netbooks?

I will say to be careful. There are some really cheap netbooks on ebay, suckers are like 100 bucks. I ordered one, it had a 300mhz processor in it. It couldn't do ANYTHING well. It took forever to load anything. After typing on it for about 2 minutes the "Y" key fell off. It was junk! It had Windows CE in it and oh gosh. I told the guy I was returning that junk. I ended up getting a used Dell laptop for 20 dollars more on Ebay and it works great with a 1.4ghz processor in it. I spent a few nickles upgrading the hard drive and RAM, but it worked good out of the box. Having a laptop available is nice if you need to download a driver for a dead desktop and there is no way to get the dead desktop to either boot up or get on the internet without the drivers.

Netbooks do nothing well. They are the same price as a full fledged laptop. Just get a laptop. And don't get a silly phone. Those are useless without expensive data plans.

Actually, the new Ipod Touch 3G is amazing in it's capability.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Netbooks?

9.7" screen


hmmmmm

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Netbooks?

9.7" screen


hmmmmm

I guess I'll have to show my ignorance? Whatever it is, I am sure it is not a $2-300 Netbook?

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Netbooks?

Above is the ipad. Its close as you can get to a computer. But I belive everything comes from the net, or more from apple. Its a giant phone that doesnt make phone calls.

They are around 5 bills.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Netbooks?

I figured it wasn't worth saying it was an iPad, $499.

Most around here seem to be Apple/Mac bashers, kind of like the Bayliner bashers, even though it would be like bashing a Whaler or a Scout.

Yes you can use a full sized keyboard as well.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Netbooks?

I figured it wasn't worth saying it was an iPad, $499.

Most around here seem to be Apple/Mac bashers, kind of like the Bayliner bashers, even though it would be like bashing a Whaler or a Scout.

Yes you can use a full sized keyboard as well.

The only reason I would "bash" mac is because they are overpriced for what you get. There is nothing special about a mac computer or macbook. "Pound for pound" you get much more power with a Windows based PC. You have more options as far as games, software, hardware, etc.

Although my Ipod touch 2G has given me some issues with the apps, I use it every day. I have nothing against mac, just that they are overpriced for what you get. Nothing inherently wrong with a mac though. I definitely wouldn't want to be considered a "Mac basher" because I own Apple products and enjoy them.

That being said, I think the ipad is one of the coolest overpriced gadgets out there. It should cost about 300-350 for what you get, otherwise get a full blown laptop with more power, a larger screen and a real keyboard that you don't have to lug around separately.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Netbooks?

I don't have an iPad, sold my notebook, still have a mini, wife has a macbookpro and a BIG MacPro.
The stability of the OS alone is worth the price of a Mac. Add to that the lack maintenance, downtime, driver and software issues, and resale value, and it a non-starter. Just my opinion I guess.

I'll put my $600 5 year old mini running OS X , with no virus protection, no malware protection, and no firewall, up against any $600 Windows based pc for reliability/stability/security and ease of use.

Are the top of the line models more expensive? YES. Same with Windows based pc's.

If you want a laptop, get one.
Then decide if you want another windows based computer.

The woot netbook is refurbished.

If you want a toy, get a netbook or fancy phone "tool".

Seems strange to me that people will pay $200-$450 for a phone, but they think $600 - $700 is too expensive for a desktop, or that $1000 is too much for a laptop.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Netbooks?

Thought I'd chime in my two cents. Computers are like boats...there is no one computer that does it all. And like boats, you need to ask what you need it for. Netbooks are good if you are constantly on the go and don't want to carry around a heavy laptop everywhere. They are compact and made for on the go internet browsing, basic computer functions (word processing, presentations, etc), and video streaming. But the drawback is a smaller screen, a "slimmed down" processor, smaller keyboar and mousepad, and less "feature rich" than a laptop. The question isn't whether a netbook is good, but rather what you need it for and what you are wanting to do with it.

Personally, I wouldn't want to type more than an hour or so on a netbook or work on any form of presentation on it. Even browsing the internet for extended periods of time can be painful due to the smaller screen (less visible space). But if you travel a lot and are sick of carrying around that 8lb laptop (that is after all the weight from the a/c adapter, extra batteries, and other stuff you may need), and you don't need to work long hours on it, get it by all means. You can get name brands with a 10 inch screen nowadays for $250-$350 new. (Go to tigerdirect.com or newegg.com).

However, if you are planning to use it for your main computer but want something light, you are better off getting a full fledged laptop that has a 13 or 14 inch screen that has a published weight of 3 or 4 lbs (add on or two more for the a/c charger and other accessories). They usually start in the $500-$600 range for consumer laptops and go upwards in the $2000+ range for high end business laptops.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: Netbooks?

I'll put my $600 5 year old mini running OS X , with no virus protection, no malware protection, and no firewall, up against any $600 Windows based pc for reliability/stability/security and ease of use.

I guess you haven't tried Windows 7 yet. The best OS Microsoft has made (next to 2000). It's fast, efficient, and stable. I've kept the computer on for months without having to reboot.

I never run virus protection, malware protection, and put the firewall up only in unsecured locations. I have nothing against mac, but I personally think mac users over-exaggerate the claims. I do a lot of computer troubleshooting and I have had just as many issues with mac as I have had with windows (particularly in the hardware deptartment). And most virus and malware issues are about 90 percent user caused and the rest because people use microsoft explorer (firefox is more secure and so is google chrome).

My take on mac vs. windows based...if you don't like to "personalize" and like style, get the mac. If you want more control over settings, get the windows based. If you do a lot of graphics, media presentations, and video editing, mac is a more user friendly tool. If you want a more universal computer, especially when trying to network onto a workgroup, windows can't be beat (mac is a nightmare trying to univerally network with other computers).

Bottom line...to each their own.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Netbooks?

I don't have an iPad, sold my notebook, still have a mini, wife has a macbookpro and a BIG MacPro.
The stability of the OS alone is worth the price of a Mac. Add to that the lack maintenance, downtime, driver and software issues, and resale value, and it a non-starter. Just my opinion I guess.

I'll put my $600 5 year old mini running OS X , with no virus protection, no malware protection, and no firewall, up against any $600 Windows based pc for reliability/stability/security and ease of use.

Are the top of the line models more expensive? YES. Same with Windows based pc's.

If you want a laptop, get one.
Then decide if you want another windows based computer.

The woot netbook is refurbished.

If you want a toy, get a netbook or fancy phone "tool".

Seems strange to me that people will pay $200-$450 for a phone, but they think $600 - $700 is too expensive for a desktop, or that $1000 is too much for a laptop.

Not much of an argument can be made that macs are more reliable than Windows based PC's as most macs now come with intel CPU's! LOL

More secure? Viruses are easily avoided if you have half a brain cell. The sad part is that even virus makers don't bother making viruses for macs because not many have them. Currently, about 90% of the computers sold are Windows based. If you are writing a virus to affect the most people, who would you write it for, 90% or 10%? The source code for Windows is open, which is why software is so cheap and widely available. Great antivirus software is free and runs in the background. Why pay 600 dollars more for the same PC with an operating system that nobody knows how to use, software for it is very rare and expensive and it's an intel chip anyway when you can get a much faster PC for the same price and free antivirus software to secure up the computer to Macbook levels?

Driver issues aren't Microsoft's fault. There aren't any "windows" drivers anyway, only drivers for the other hardware plugging into the computer. That's like blaming Ford for headlights being installed by end consumers than burn out quicker than Chevy headlights that come from the factory.

Sorry, if mac was such a great deal and a great machine, they'd have cornered more than 10% of the market share. And I'm not referring to which company is worth more, just which company sells more product.

Again, I have nothing against macs, they just certainly aren't better than a good quality Windows based PC and for the money are ridiculously slow and weak.

 

[perchin]

Re: Netbooks?

This thread is funny...... I would choose a Mac for graphic design only, and no the ipad would not cut it. In fact my droid incredible (phone) would eat the ipad up, spit it out and laugh.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Netbooks?

Well, I see the misinformation gurus have gotten to you.

Don't plan on convincing you of anything, but...

Our macs are used by several users, free to go anywhere on the web, view or download what they choose, there is no being careful where you go or what you download. All locations are unsecured locations if you aren't in control of it.


Sure win7 is better than its predecessors, but ow many millions have had to suffer through the years with '98, Millennium, xp, vista? before they made a better 7 ?
Most of 7's features and improvements have been available in os x for years.

Don't know how the user can be responsible for viruses, malware, spyware, etc. You must have an os issue.

If you don't think a mac can be "personalized" or customized, you are mistaken.

No problem networking a Mac to a pc or frame based network.
I do it monthly.
The wife does it a couple times a week.
Nephew does it daily.
Can read your files and even use your software.

"Not much of an argument can be made that macs are more reliable than Windows based PC's as most macs now come with intel CPU's! LOL "
Not sure what your point is here, thought we were talking os. But Apple sought out the joint venture to develop and engineer the new Intel chips, to replace the old Motorola chips.
Needed to do this for speed, cost and efficiency. And because of the architecture, I can run windows on it if I like.

90% of computers are win based.
But 91% of the premium market, units priced over $1000, are Macs.
14% of college students used macs in 2005
40% in 2008
And 70% in 2010

See a trend here?

OS *** has been open source for years, its been Microsoft that has been hiding behind the curtain for a long time.

Software is not rare or expensive. How many tens of thousands of programs do you want to buy?

Have a "need" to run a very special or customized win program, then use Parallels or partition your drive and install xp on the mac. It will run fine, and you can run anything you think you need. Let's see now, lets try to run Aperture, or Final Cut Express on your pc.

"....an operating system that nobody knows how to use..."

If you can't use os x, you probably can't use Explorer, or Outlook Express either.
The gui, templates, format, etc are so similar, almost most seems like Apple and Microsoft have been collaborating to make them look and function the same. Sure they have different names, but honestly, how long will it take you to learn that "system preferences" is the same as "control panel"? Or that Safari is the name of the browser, or that MAIL is the name of the email program?



I never said there were windows drivers. I said there were driver and software issues.
There have always been a lot of driver issues with windows.
Lets not forget about all the consumers that were/are forced to buy new peripherals to replace the ones they bought last year. And yes, it is Microsoft's fault that they didn't write an os that would allow the older hardware to be used.
Sure, they don't write the drivers, but they wrote the os.

That would be like Ford designing a new car, then telling you that all your cd's won't work in it; you will need to buy new ones.
Anyone know what backwards compatible is?


You have nothing against macs, except they are ridiculously slow and weak.
Huh? Thats like saying "I really like apple pie, but I hate the taste."

If you want to USE a computer without spending time maintaining the software, doing security updates, learning to be a network technician and computer software tech, a Mac is the obvious choice.

If you want to spend your time tinkering and maintaining, go with a Windows machine.

Now I'm sure I made this all up, and can't back any of it up, so just forget you ever read it.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Netbooks?

The OP posted "Netbooks? I certainly like their size. Are they any good? Which are good ones? How are you supposed to load things on without a DVD?"

Now there's an argument about PC vs. MAC. That's not what was asked. To address the questions, I bought an Acer Aspire about a year ago and love it. I bought one for my daughter a few months later, and she loves it. I load off a thumb drive sometimes. Sometimes I use it as if it's a workstation and my bigger laptop is a server and load from it.

It's so much easier to carry and manage than a laptop. It seems I spend a lot of time sitting in waiting rooms, most of which have wireless and it's very handy. When I was in the hospital a few days, it was invaluable. If you really need a DVD, I'm sure there are external USB drives available.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Netbooks?

The OP posted "Netbooks? I certainly like their size. Are they any good? Which are good ones? How are you supposed to load things on without a DVD?"

Now there's an argument about PC vs. MAC. That's not what was asked. To address the questions, I bought an Acer Aspire about a year ago and love it. I bought one for my daughter a few months later, and she loves it. I load off a thumb drive sometimes. Sometimes I use it as if it's a workstation and my bigger laptop is a server and load from it.

It's so much easier to carry and manage than a laptop. It seems I spend a lot of time sitting in waiting rooms, most of which have wireless and it's very handy. When I was in the hospital a few days, it was invaluable. If you really need a DVD, I'm sure there are external USB drives available.

Thanks BB, certainly more to the point.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Netbooks?

I don't have an iPad, sold my notebook, still have a mini, wife has a macbookpro and a BIG MacPro.
The stability of the OS alone is worth the price of a Mac. Add to that the lack maintenance, downtime, driver and software issues, and resale value, and it a non-starter. Just my opinion I guess.

I'll put my $600 5 year old mini running OS X , with no virus protection, no malware protection, and no firewall, up against any $600 Windows based pc for reliability/stability/security and ease of use.

Are the top of the line models more expensive? YES. Same with Windows based pc's.

If you want a laptop, get one.
Then decide if you want another windows based computer.

The woot netbook is refurbished.

If you want a toy, get a netbook or fancy phone "tool".

Answered long ago,

Sorry this all got hijacked.

 

[perchin]

Re: Netbooks?

If you want a toy, get a netbook or fancy phone

please..... grace us with your words on how my phone is a toy It does all that the overpriced "toy" I-pad does, and more.