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Looking for a laptop

  • 06-12-2008 7:18pm
    #1
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,

    I'm looking for a new laptop, which I'm planning to use while in the library. I have a Dell, which is quite big and bulky, but which is perfect for using at home, but a little awkward and heavy to carry, especially cycling and on public transport.

    I mainly just use word and the internet, and I've been hearing about 'eeePCs' and some Acer laptop which are meant to be very portable but still quite usable.

    Can anyone recommend a solution for me? I am thinking about using the 'portable' pc when away from home and then copying all the work to my old PC. Is this viable or a waste?

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Also, if anyone could post prices and where to buy that would be fantastic! Thank you!


Comments

  • #2
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Check out the Samsung NC10, 10" screen, very usable, and probably the best netbook out there. There's also the likes of the advent4211/msi wind (both the same but with different names) that have 10" screens, great keyboards, and large HDs.


  • #3
    drunkmonkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,696 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    How about a little apple mac book with a 13inch screen, should be fine for word and the net, you'd pick up a good second hand one for around the 300 mark, it would be a lot better investment than a eepc....


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,589 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    May I ask whats wrong with eeePC? I am looking at getting one myself for pretty much the same reasons!

    I have a Debian server that I back my stuff up to and an eeePC running linux should be able to talk to it. I would be using my Dell Precision for running Stata / MatLab etc but would like a much smaller and lighter PC for web / Tex work while in the library.

    Is the eeePC a bad deal? I saw one with 2 gigs of Ram and a 20gig SSD for €300. Are they bad laptops?


  • #5
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Deleted User wrote: »
    May I ask whats wrong with eeePC? I am looking at getting one myself for pretty much the same reasons!

    I have a Debian server that I back my stuff up to and an eeePC running linux should be able to talk to it. I would be using my Dell Precision for running Stata / MatLab etc but would like a much smaller and lighter PC for web / Tex work while in the library.

    Is the eeePC a bad deal? I saw one with 2 gigs of Ram and a 20gig SSD for €300. Are they bad laptops?

    I wouldn't say they're "bad" netbooks, but i think other manufactures have learned from mistakes made by asus and made superior netbooks. The 901 has a poor keyboard, almost feels toy like, where the likes of the msi wind, samsung nc10 have very nice keyboards, i think they're roughly 80% the size of a standard laptop keyboard, and are very comfortable to type on.


  • #6
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    Thanks for all that!

    Essentially, I am looking for a PC that is really light, really cheap and can run Word and Internet.

    Thats all really, I am happy to use a 7 inch + screen.

    I haven't heard of any of the above PCs, are they reliable and cheap?

    Sorry for this, don't know a huge amount about laptops!

    Thanks!


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  • #7
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Yup, all mentioned above would be considered reliable, and all can be gotten at in and around the 350 mark. The likes of pc world sell them, it might be worth your while checking them out for size, as you may find the 9" machines too small for typing on etc


  • #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,589 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Right, just popped into PCWorld today here in Coventry and the staff were complete twits who started giving out to me for using Linux in the first place.

    That aside, I had a look around the store and really liked the Acer Aspire which was £175 and had nice specs.

    A couple of questions: will that PC be Linux compatible? Ie, could I install Puppy Linux or Ubuntu without much hassle?


  • #9
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,056 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    I like the look of the Dell mini 9 and 12 myself.


  • #10
    convert
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    I was actually looking at laptops today, too. The Acer definitely seems to be the best value, but it runs a basic version of linux, which has open office. Is this compatible with Windows XP office, which is what I use? Also, how reliable are Acer laptops?


  • #11
    grimm2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,899 ✭✭✭grimm2005


    i have an acer aspire one and i have installed xp over the linux os that came with it and also installed a version of MS office 2003 called tiny office which loads up instantly. It all works fine with the odd brief slowdown every now and then thanks to the 8gb SSD drive. I'd recommend them but I'd go for the XP installed, 80gb hdd version


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