What is the the best value netbook on the market?

Trotter

With Dell releasing the 910, it looks like all of the players in the market have now shown us what they're offering.

I'm finding it hard to decide which one to get. I did have an EEE 901 but I got the linux version and found it irritating beyond belief. Its gone to a better home now.

Here's the question thats on my mind right now.

Is there a clear "winner"? I have €400 to spend and I'm leaning towards the Dell because they've never let me down before.

I've also heard of driver problems with the Asus 901 Linux Wifi.

What would you buy?

Alanstrainor

I have the asus eee 701, which i'm looking to upgrade at the mo, for me, i think the advent 4211 wins out as far as price and spec. 369 for 10" screen with xp, 1.3MP camera, 1.6ghz processor, 120Gb HD and bluetooth. Going to go and see about a student discount as well, to be extra cheeky

Trotter

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have the asus eee 701, which i'm looking to upgrade at the mo, for me, i think the advent 4211 wins out as far as price and spec. 369 for 10" screen with xp, 1.3MP camera, 1.6ghz processor, 120Gb HD and bluetooth. Going to go and see about a student discount as well, to be extra cheeky

Is the advent on sale on the net, or is it available in shops?

Alanstrainor

Advent is just a rebranded msi wind. Which is onsale in pcworld of all places.

Pete4779

Trotter wrote: »

With Dell releasing the 910, it looks like all of the players in the market have now shown us what they're offering.

I'm finding it hard to decide which one to get. I did have an EEE 901 but I got the linux version and found it irritating beyond belief. Its gone to a better home now.

Here's the question thats on my mind right now.

Is there a clear "winner"? I have €400 to spend and I'm leaning towards the Dell because they've never let me down before.

I've also heard of driver problems with the Asus 901 Linux Wifi.

What would you buy?

I have an Advent 4211/MSI Wind which I have upgraded to Vista Ultimate. It runs perfectly (including Aero). It's an everyday work tool and I use it for an Access database, Word, IE and Outlook.

The downside is the battery - around 2 hrs use realistically on the standard 3 cell. I go from plugged locations so it is not an issue. You can buy 6 cell batteries online now. Have a look at msiwind.net to get an idea.

CuppaCocoa

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have the asus eee 701, which i'm looking to upgrade at the mo, for me, i think the advent 4211 wins out as far as price and spec. 369 for 10" screen with xp, 1.3MP camera, 1.6ghz processor, 120Gb HD and bluetooth. Going to go and see about a student discount as well, to be extra cheeky

The Advent only has an 80g hard drive. I got one as soon as they came out and found it great. Super easy to use straight out of the box and no faffing around with linux. Worked with my mobile broadband without a hitch. The only problem was with a dodgy on/off button which led me to return it after 2 weeks. Have decided to get another one but am holding out for the 6 cell battery model. Can recommend it highly.

Alanstrainor

Ah, right you are about the 80Gb HD. Ye, i think i might even head out tomorrow and check one out in pcworld.

chris85

i got the advent 4211 and i must admit it is a great machine, the only downside is going travelling and would prefer the 6cell battery which i hope to pick up soon online, otherwise great netbook.

I got mine from pixmania as few quid cheaper, they are owned by PC world i think hence they are selling them.

The dell one only gives a one year warranty whereas the advent 4211 gives 2, even if bought from PC world as some people think its only a year but its actually two. Costs €40 extra off dell to get the two year warranty.

ytareh

Great machine!(4211)

parsi

chris85 wrote: »

The dell one only gives a one year warranty whereas the advent 4211 gives 2, even if bought from PC world as some people think its only a year but its actually two. .

Do you have a link for the 2 year warranty info ?

BTW Bios 1.08 for the ADvent is finally out on the techguys site.

chris85

parsi wrote: »

Do you have a link for the 2 year warranty info ?

BTW Bios 1.08 for the ADvent is finally out on the techguys site.

pixmania are stating a two year warranty as shown in the link beloe just under the price

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/1446450/art/advent/4211.html

BTW what will the bios update do, mine is grand so dont want to be messing it up updating the bios if i have no reason

AlmightyCushion

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Ah, right you are about the 80Gb HD. Ye, i think i might even head out tomorrow and check one out in pcworld.

Yeah it's definitely a 80GB hard drive.

parsi

chris85 wrote: »

pixmania are stating a two year warranty as shown in the link beloe just under the price

http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/1446450/art/advent/4211.html

BTW what will the bios update do, mine is grand so dont want to be messing it up updating the bios if i have no reason

Thanks for the link..

Here's the description of the BIOS - upgrade went fine for me.

BIOS 1.08 update for Advent Netbook computers based on the Wind chassis. This update provides the following improvements to performance and functionality:

* Fixes the issues of the Netbook turning off during the BIOS splash screen if the power button is held down for more than 2 seconds.
* Fixes the issue of Windows Media Player visualisations failing to load when playing MP3s on mains power.
* Improves the detection of USB devices.
* Add Skip onboard memory function
* Update CPU Atom N270 microcode
* Modify battery Name (" ") & Manufacturer (" ")
* Update EC file