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Am I mad to buy this hybrid ASUS laptop?

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  • 23-08-2016 1:08am
    #1
    ProudDUB
    Registered Users Posts: 11,569 ✭✭✭✭


    Am I mad to buy this? It is only 199 euros, but am thinking there is a catch somewhere.

    ASUS Transformer Book Touchscreen
    2GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC Hard drive, Windows 8, HDMI port, 11.6' screen, card reader, bluetooth, 10 hr battery, Intel Atom Processor.

    I need a new, notebook size, lap top for: Basic web surfing. Browsing sites such as Boards. Occasional Netflix watching. Using Microsoft Word to create CV's and upload them to job sites. That is pretty much it.

    I will not be gaming, watching live streams (unless watching Netflix counts,) or storing music, photos & videos on it. So I don't need much memory, or storage.

    It being a hybrid that converts to a tablet, is a huge plus. So is the 10 hr battery life. But it having an Intel Atom processor worries me, seeing as that is even less powerful than a stone age Intel Celeron. Can it handle what I'll be using it for?

    Cheers.


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    #2
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    It is not less powerful than a stoneage Celeron. The Celeron brand has been around a long time, and it's performance has increased as the years have gone on. I would bet that it is a quad core Atom, that is more than powerful enough for HD movies, browsing and office.

    The main thing that would annoy me about that tablet/convertible for your usage is using it to write CV's and the likes. The small screen could really be painful for such usage.


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    #3
    ProudDUB
    Registered Users Posts: 11,569 ✭✭✭✭ProudDUB


    Thanks for that. It's been donkeys years since I bought a new laptop, so am not really up to speed on everything I need to look out for. My current every day laptop is notebook sized too, so I am used to working with the smaller screen. Is Asus an ok brand? Am not very familiar with it. I've only ever owned Toshibas & Gateways.


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    #4
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    ProudDUB wrote: »
    Thanks for that. It's been donkeys years since I bought a new laptop, so am not really up to speed on everything I need to look out for. My current every day laptop is notebook sized too, so I am used to working with the smaller screen. Is Asus an ok brand? Am not very familiar with it. I've only ever owned Toshibas & Gateways.

    Just for clarity, I presume you mean netbook (old term for 10" small laptops from around 8 years ago). Notebook could mean any laptop really.

    Asus is a long established good brand. But you have to consider that this machine is on the cheap end so there is a certain element of, you get what you pay for. That being said, I wouldn't worry too much in this case.

    I would recommend going and taking a looking at this machine in person if you could. Just to make sure it will work for you.


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    #5
    ProudDUB
    Registered Users Posts: 11,569 ✭✭✭✭ProudDUB


    Yeah, when I say "notebook" I mean the smaller size of laptop. I've already seen it. I was in the shop yesterday. It works for me, on several levels, not just the price.

    My only other concern, is that it only has one USB port. I only need the one port (for my cordless mouse) on a day to day basis, but if it went kaput, I'd be left with none. Is getting a USP port replaced/repaired a big job? Is it a big worry, do they go faulty often?


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    #6
    mordeith
    Registered Users Posts: 5,278 ✭✭✭mordeith


    They can go faulty and could also be damaged physically. If it's soldered to the board (which is likely) it wouldn't be worth paying for a repair on a machine of that price


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    #7
    ProudDUB
    Registered Users Posts: 11,569 ✭✭✭✭ProudDUB


    Cheers. One of the USB ports stopped working in my old Toshiba lap top, out of the blue. It had 2 others, so it wasn't that big of a deal, but it got me thinking about what would happen if I had just the one.

    Was driving out over to buy the new Asus one today & the old Gateway net/notebook was stolen out of the boot of my car. Not sure if that's a sign or not....:mad:


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