Buying A Netbook, (totally clueless) Options

[Juniper]

Forgive the silly question but I am considering buying a netbook for work. I don't want to use it for anything other than some net surfing and using various documents.

This seems interesting

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wi-Fi-Laptop-Noteboo...=item3a63447a33

but being as un-computer-savvy as it is possible to be these days I wondered if any of the computer geniuses on the forum could perhaps let me know if I should steer clear or have any other suggestions?

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[flobiano]

I really have no idea about computers, but I bought myself a netbook just after Christmas - an Asus EeePC. It was recommended by a friend and had good reviews on Which.

I had a bit of a wobble with it the first couple of days when it completely fell over, but I think that was due to not loading the the free virus checker that came with it properly and deleting something that shouldn't have been deleted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

It did come with instructions on doing a system recovery though. Since then it has been absolutely fine....though it does mean that I spend far more time on the internet than I did before....and I'm not sure that is entirely a good thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[muzikalbadger]

My boyfriend who works in computers recommends staying well well away from this one... if you pm me a rough budget and stuff you want to be able to do with it i'll ask him to have a wee look and see if there is anything more suitable??

[Roseau]

I've got a Samsung NC 10 but I've had it for over a year so it is no doubt out of date.

I don't use it for the internet much. I initially bought it to use with a video-projector when teaching (it was too complicated to borrow a university computer and I was fed up with carrying my own heavy laptop into work). I also use it for working on the train (mainly Word documents). I find the fact that you don't have the whole page visible on the screen rather annoying on the rare occasions when I do use it to access the internet.

[Arundodonuts]

My boyfriend who works in computers recommends staying well well away from this one... if you pm me a rough budget and stuff you want to be able to do with it i'll ask him to have a wee look and see if there is anything more suitable??

I agree. These cheap no-name gadgets are likely to be rubbish. You won't get much change out of ?300 for a decent machine. The Asus mentioned by flobiano is a good make. Here are some reviews from a reputable magazine:
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/netbooks

[anacrusis]

I have an NC10 too and love it (even if I can't understand its pathetic disliking for coffee (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)) - and the only nugget of advice I have is - get one with as close to a full sized keyboard as you can. I've seen friends poking around on their EEEPC and it was too small - they couldn't type in a relaxed fashion. My NC 10 has one compromise - the right hand shift key isn't quite where one would expect it to be, and I've got used to that, but I'd go potty if I had to deal with a downsized keyboard as well. It'd be like playing antique harpsichords when used to pianos (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif).

After that, it's a question of knowing what you want to use the thing for, and looking at the specs. I have an external hard drive for mine, to increase storage, so that I can put my photos on there, and am thinking about whether or not to get a DVD drive as there is no integrated CD/DVD drive, but so far have had this for a couple of years and not missed one.

[vectistim]

The ebay listing seems to be a WinCE machine, which I think is much the same as a PDA.

I have an Asus machine that seems quite good, as long as you don't try and drive it too hard.

[willobie]

I've had an Acer Aspire One for over two years. I've been very pleased with it but I'm not sure whether they are still available...

W

[Juniper]

Thanks for replies and PMs. I will have a look around and let you know my choice.

Please let me know any more recommendations (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Roseau]

My NC 10 has one compromise - the right hand shift key isn't quite where one would expect it to be, and I've got used to that, but I'd go potty if I had to deal with a downsized keyboard as well. It'd be like playing antique harpsichords when used to pianos (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif).

The shift key still infuriates me. I am incredibly fussy about keyboards (I put this down to having played the piano and being sensitive to the amount of finger pressure needed). I actually tried the keyboards of various netbooks out in the shop before deciding on the Samsung.

And on the subject of small keyboards, did anyone ever use a French Minitel? They had keys designed for midgets (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I've had an Acer Aspire One for over two years. I've been very pleased with it but I'm not sure whether they are still available...

This was what I originally thought I was going to buy (when I went into the shop) but the screen display is much smaller than the Samsung (although the overall machine size is similar).

I would recommend going into a shop and trying them out, even if you don't, in the end, buy it from the shop.