Netbooks - advice please

justagirl

I want to buy two netbooks for children under 10 - use for playing childrens games on internet, skype, email. I'm not looking to spend big money but would like some advice on the minimum spec I need to make the netbooks useful. What about something like this:

http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5084306/c_1/1|cat_14418968|Laptops+and+netbooks|16164797/c_2/2|cat_16164797|Netbooks+and+mini+laptops|16164806/Trail/searchtext%3ENETBOOK.htm

This is the spec:
CPU and Memory:
* Intel Atom N455.
* Processor speed 1.66GHz.
* 1GB.
* 160GB SATA hard drive.

Display features:
* 10in display.
* Resolution 1024 x 600 pixels.

Graphics:
* Intel GMA 3150 graphics card.

Interfaces and connectivity:
* 4-in-1 media card reader.
* 3 USB ports.
* B/g wireless/WiFi enabled.

Multi-media features:
* 0.3MP built-in webcam.

Operating system and software:
* Microsoft Windows XP.

Preloaded manufacturers applications included:
* Music.
* Photo.
* Movie .
* Business .
* Tuition .

General features:
* Size H26, W18, D19cm.
* Weight 1.2kg.


Grateful for any pointers. I missed out on a netbook on gruupy.com recently (i was too slow)... gutted .....Thanks:)

ntlbell

the vast majority of netbooks are a much of a muchness, especially for the age you're buying for. try and find the cheapest one and go with that, it'll be fine for what you need it for.

amazon are generally pretty cheap and do free shipping

justagirl

Would I be better off with these:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5083479.htm

Acer Aspire D260A 160GB 10.1in Netbook - Pink and Lilac Mix.

Please note: This product does not have a CD/DVD drive. The Aspire D260A comes with a slip case and optical mouse. The slip case and mouse is in the box.

CPU and Memory:
* Intel Atom N450.
* Processor speed 1.66GHz.
* 1GB DDR2 RAM.
* 160GB SATA hard drive.

Display features:
* 10.1in display.
* Resolution 1024 x 600 pixels.

Graphics:
* Intel GMA.

Interfaces and connectivity:
* Multi-Media Card (MMC) compatible.
* 3 USB ports.
* B/g/n wireless/WiFi enabled.

Multi-media features:
* 1.3MP built-in webcam.
* Built-in mic.

Operating system and software:
* Microsoft Windows XP.

Preloaded manufacturers applications included:
* Music.
* Photo.
* Movie .
* Business .
* Tuition .
* Gaming .

General features:
* Weight 1.1kg.


- only thing i can see is better webcam... works out about E280 - probably not worth it?

Alanstrainor

Definitely not worth the cash. The web cam in the first one you linked is more than enough for what your kids will need. MSI are good, i have a very similar netbook which is a couple of years old at this stage and it's still going strong.

justagirl

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Definitely not worth the cash. The web cam in the first one you linked is more than enough for what your kids will need. MSI are good, i have a very similar netbook which is a couple of years old at this stage and it's still going strong.

Thanks, good to know that MSi are ok. I know i'm not spending big money but because i'm buying two of them I want to make sure they are ok and will last for a bit.:)

just one thing on netbooks - worth going for one with a 11.6 inch screen instead of 10 inches. still very portable but much more usable.

good deals to be had on refurbed acer 751h netbooks on dabs.ie

good deal on the lenovo s12 from bargain alerts too

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056067652

Alanstrainor

glasso wrote: »

good deal on the lenovo s12 from bargain alerts too

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056067652

I know the screen size is an advantage for some. But i really wouldn't be wild about the price or the specs tbh. I'd say a 10.1" screen is more than enough for kids. I'd be searching for something closer to 200 if it were me. I'll have a google around tomorrow and see if i can find any.

GarRo247

I've worked in an I.T. Repair shop for nearly two years and MSI are one of the brands we see the most even though they sell a lot less than other brands, they always seem to have big problems and have to be thrown out, not little problems that could be fixed. Dell, Sony and Toshiba have the most reliable netbooks but are over priced. Acer seem to have the best value for money netbooks when you factor in reliability. If your buying them for kids I would questions buying a netbook. The screen on a netbook will break very easily and can be between €120 to €150 to replace. A netbook will definitely break if anything is spilled on it and it would also break if it dropped. A laptop has a stronger screen, will have some chance with spillages, and is more likely to survive if dropped. If there not going to be doing anything serious on it I would get my kids a refurbished laptop for a lot cheaper and just make sure it has a 12 month warranty.

justagirl

Thank you all so much for your replies - really appreciate it. I took the plunge and got 2 Msi U135s - e240 each. They both look/feel pretty good for the money and really nice keyboard - feels quite strong. I've yet to boot them up and check them out... will update you all.... fingers crossed they ok. Thanks again.

GarRo247

I personally wouldn't buy MSI from experience but I hope everything goes well for you, if you have any problems with them private message me and I'll try to help you sort them out.

justagirl

GarRo247 wrote: »

I personally wouldn't buy MSI from experience but I hope everything goes well for you, if you have any problems with them private message me and I'll try to help you sort them out.

yikes... just bought them .... i just have to get a couple of hours (child free hours!) to boot them up and check them out ... thank you so much for your offer of help - really appreciate it (this is why i just love boards ) cheers....

GarRo247

The problem I have found with MSI is that MSI dont make computers or laptops. MSI make brilliant motherboards they are usually very strong and reliable, the rest of the parts in the laptop is parts made by other companies and then the computer is branded as MSI. The only real problem I have found with MSI is they overheat easily, so use it on tables rather than fabric surfaces that may block the fans and don't leave them turned on for more than a few hours and the heat wont be a problem. I'm glad to help :cool:

Alanstrainor

GarRo247 wrote: »

The problem I have found with MSI is that MSI dont make computers or laptops. MSI make brilliant motherboards they are usually very strong and reliable, the rest of the parts in the laptop is parts made by other companies and then the computer is branded as MSI. The only real problem I have found with MSI is they overheat easily, so use it on tables rather than fabric surfaces that may block the fans and don't leave them turned on for more than a few hours and the heat wont be a problem. I'm glad to help :cool:

I've never had any trouble with my MSI netbook tbh. It doesn't overheat, and funnily enough it came with the option to overclock the intel atom 1.6Ghz processor to a whopping 2.0Ghz:p
Netbooks don't usually suffer from the same heat issues as full laptops. I've given mine a tonne of abuse and it's still going strong.

GarRo247

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I've never had any trouble with my MSI netbook tbh. It doesn't overheat, and funnily enough it came with the option to overclock the intel atom 1.6Ghz processor to a whopping 2.0Ghz:p
Netbooks don't usually suffer from the same heat issues as full laptops. I've given mine a tonne of abuse and it's still going strong.

I have to agree with you that most of them wont break, but a small number of them will, its the same with any other brand but MSI unfortunately seem to have a higher rate of problems. As valid as you point is I looked through the quotes records and since the 1st of Jan of this year MSI computers have made up about 8% (I think it was a decimal higher than 8% but ill just say 8) of the quotes we have given out for hardware issues. Given that there is around 10 other brands in our quotes and MSI is one of the lowest selling out of them I would say 8% is a little high. I actually think MSI motherboards are great, but based on the figures I've seen in work I would avoid them.

Alanstrainor

GarRo247 wrote: »

I have to agree with you that most of them wont break, but a small number of them will, its the same with any other brand but MSI unfortunately seem to have a higher rate of problems. As valid as you point is I looked through the quotes records and since the 1st of Jan of this year MSI computers have made up about 8% (I think it was a decimal higher than 8% but ill just say 8) of the quotes we have given out for hardware issues. Given that there is around 10 other brands in our quotes and MSI is one of the lowest selling out of them I would say 8% is a little high. I actually think MSI motherboards are great, but based on the figures I've seen in work I would avoid them.

Cool, thanks for the update! Very interesting indeed.