The keyboard on a netbook

Rasmus

Very basic question here about netbooks vs laptops. My laptop is nearing the end of its life, and at some point I'll have to think about replacing it. Netbooks seem to be cheaper than the average laptop (I am looking for something simple) but I don't think I could get used to the keyboard placement. Anyone here, having learned to type on a computer/typewriter, made the transition from laptop keyboard to netbook keyboard with success?
Thanks!

Alanstrainor

I suppose you could type away fine on a small netbook keyboard, but tbh, you'd probably be annoyed by it if you were using the machine a lot.

I'd be looking at a full sized laptop, or something portable, but with a full keyboard, like a 12" or 13, even an 11.6" would have an almost full keyboard.

What's your budget?

Rasmus

Thanks for the reply. My budget is as cheap as possible! I'd only use it for word processing and web browsing - a lot of typing though.

Alanstrainor

Rasmus wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. My budget is as cheap as possible! I'd only use it for word processing and web browsing - a lot of typing though.

Does it need to be very portable too?

If it's going to be kept on a desk for most of its life, with the possibility of moving every once in a while I would steer clear of netbooks and get a more typical laptop being honest.

gouche

If your going to be doing any sort of word processing you'd be better off with a full keyboard.
I haven't got massive hands but always find it very difficult and annoying using a netbook's keyboard.

Rasmus

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Does it need to be very portable too?

If it's going to be kept on a desk for most of its life, with the possibility of moving every once in a while I would steer clear of netbooks and get a more typical laptop being honest.

I would need to take it out a couple of times a week - the rest of the time it would probably stay on my desk. I think you're right though, I should stick with a laptop but the netbook prices are attractive!

Rasmus

gouche wrote: »

If your going to be doing any sort of word processing you'd be better off with a full keyboard.
I haven't got massive hands but always find it very difficult and annoying using a netbook's keyboard.

Thanks Gouche. When I've tried it out it annoyed me from the get go - so from your input I guess it's safe to say that it does not get less annoying.

bonzodog2

Maybe a netbook with a USB keyboard might give you the best of both worlds ?

GreenWolfe

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Maybe a netbook with a USB keyboard might give you the best of both worlds ?

I have a netbook as well. It's barely workable, imo the problem is that my own wired USB keyboard and mouse take up two ports and only leave one free. If you're really unlucky, your netbook will only have 2 USB ports.

And using a netbook screen, the older ones in my case (1024x600) is a bit like peering through a slot. It's not a setup I like to use for long periods of time.

Overheal

Netbooks are not great buys anyway. They are still lucrative to some people just because of the perceived cost. What it is, is a weird in-between of two products that really excels at neither: the Laptop, and the Tablet. It's not a laptop because it doesn't have a full keyboard or an optical drive, or the performance. It's not a tablet because you still have to mess with the form factor.

You really are better off deciding what you want to use it for. If you want a portable device that you can use to do some light work and referencing on when you are wherever the hell you want to be: A tablet. If you want to bunker down with it in one place for extended periods of time and knock out Thesis work or try and manage your large array of photos: a laptop. If however you really don't see yourself moving around much at all, and you really just work in the same spot pretty much all the time, barring few exceptions: A desktop or all in one.

Yakuza

I find netbooks frustratingly slow and underpowered. OP, if you're doing a lot of typing, the extra cost of a laptop (and you can get a decent one around the €500 mark) over a netbook is worth it for the sake of your hands/wrists and eyes. A proper keyboard and a screen that's bigger than a postage stamp is what you'll need if you're going to do anything like the amount of typing you say you are.

In my opinion, you (having been used to the size of a laptop's screen and keyboard) would soon regret cheaping out on an inferior device. Netbooks are fine for kids, but for any level of professional work or serious study, a laptop is the way to go.

Rasmus

Thanks all. I am more reluctant than ever now to get a netbook - it doesn't seem that they are useful for anything more than casual purposes, and annoying to boot.
So if I am looking for a laptop with good battery power and of a minimum weight, what are your recommendations for under 400 euro?

Rasmus

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Maybe a netbook with a USB keyboard might give you the best of both worlds ?

I think this a great idea! Still put off by the screen size from reading these posts though.

Grainne2012

I have a netbook for the last 2 yrs, and tbh , since buying it, I hardly use anything else, its so handy. Mines a Compaq Mini, and the keyboard is fine, (not especially small) 3 usb ports, and yes, quite a tiddly wee screen.
I didn't find any problems at all using it as my main machine while on the go, and its size and weight are a delight after hauling a 17in laptop around!
When at home I hook it up to an external LCD monitor, as it can be a little tiring to use the small screen for extensive projects.
If you only want to browse and use WP, its a very good option imo.
I'll buy a new one this year, probably a Samsung. My bf has one, and it has INCREDIBLE battery life, up to 10 hrs - much better than mine!
I wouldn't give up on the idea just yet, and I wouldn't swap my netbook for a tablet in a fit
Good luck!

Jesus Shaves

Noooooooooooooooooooooo, Don't do it, Small screen, Crap keyboard and very very very bad performance issues, I'd rather a 15 inch anyday.

Rasmus

Grainne2012 wrote: »

I have a netbook for the last 2 yrs, and tbh , since buying it, I hardly use anything else, its so handy. Mines a Compaq Mini, and the keyboard is fine, (not especially small) 3 usb ports, and yes, quite a tiddly wee screen.
I didn't find any problems at all using it as my main machine while on the go, and its size and weight are a delight after hauling a 17in laptop around!
When at home I hook it up to an external LCD monitor, as it can be a little tiring to use the small screen for extensive projects.
If you only want to browse and use WP, its a very good option imo.
I'll buy a new one this year, probably a Samsung. My bf has one, and it has INCREDIBLE battery life, up to 10 hrs - much better than mine!
I wouldn't give up on the idea just yet, and I wouldn't swap my netbook for a tablet in a fit
Good luck!

Grainne,
Did you find it difficult to get used to typing on it? You know how fingers automatically go to the right keys on a regular keyboard - do you not end up pressing all the wrong letters?

annieoburns

I use both netbook and laptop. The netbook is Asus Eee and I think keyboard is 95% size so actually can type quite well on it. It is lighter and long battery life so good for travel even for moving about house ...(bed friendly:)). But I keep up with using laptop and am surprised at how it does not bother me to change from one to the other. Asus has decent screen and good for nearly all my needs. I have tried a tablet and disaster for typing tho lightness would make great travel feature.

Grainne2012

Nope, not at all! Also, I have NEVER had a problem with performance, its been used every day for more than 6hrs, been hauled around 6 countries, slung in gym bags, had coffee spilled on it and even been sat on without any issues

Maybe you could visit a supplier, and play around with the display models to find a keyboard that suits you, as they are all a little different?

(btw, a friend bought an MSI Wind model in an Argos sale, and it was a nightmare, touchpad was bonkers and it seems to be a common issue with that brand. Avoid, no matter how cheap it seems ! )

Rasmus

Grainne2012 wrote: »

Nope, not at all! Also, I have NEVER had a problem with performance, its been used every day for more than 6hrs, been hauled around 6 countries, slung in gym bags, had coffee spilled on it and even been sat on without any issues

Maybe you could visit a supplier, and play around with the display models to find a keyboard that suits you, as they are all a little different?

(btw, a friend bought an MSI Wind model in an Argos sale, and it was a nightmare, touchpad was bonkers and it seems to be a common issue with that brand. Avoid, no matter how cheap it seems ! )

Fab, thanks for this info! I'll take another shot looking around! Taking note of MSI Wind; something to avoid!

I'm going to add me two cents here about netbooks. Generally they are significantly slower than laptops, while also having poorer build quality. Coupled with the cramped keyboard and the issues I've mentioned just there, I normally recommend that you get a 13" laptop. You get speed, better build quality and proper keyboard without losing out on portability.

I know netbooks are priced cheaper, but there's a good reason for their cheapness.