Netbooks? (2013 edition)

[zuren]

At this point netbook computers are sitting firmly in the rearview mirror of ultrabooks and tablets. I found a few threads on the subject but many were very old. I expect this discussion to explore everyone's experience and the potential for used equipment.

My current notebook computer is a newish 15.6" HP ProBook (i5, HD+ screen, blu-ray drive). It is nice but it is not as portable as I would like. I have a few backpacks and messenger bags where it barely fits bye itself. It works well for longer trips with the wife in the van but I find myself "wanting" something smaller that I don't care if it gets bumped and scratched when I head out on hunting, fishing, or other excusions. I'm looking at used netbooks in the $100-150 range (Asus Eee PC, Acer Aspire One, and others). My uses would be a 50/50 mix of creating content and consuming content. Tablets are great for consuming content (maps, websites, games, etc.) but I still read rather poor reviews of being able to create and work with spreadsheets, word documents, etc. on a tablet even with a keyboard. I volunteer as a ski patroller and there are times when things are slow that being able to pull out a small laptop to knock out emails, update/send out my resume, research my next adventure, creating packing lists, etc. would be nice. I think a netbook will be the way the to go, even if I need to upgrade the hard drive and RAM.

So I would love to hear some feedback on experiences with netbooks, either past or current. My wife and I are considering an Android tablet as well and I think if I can keep the dollar amount low for a netbook, one of each could be in the budget.

Thanks for any feedback!

 

[nickburt]

Netbooks, although out dated, are good, reliable devices. I have an old 10" Samsung N140 that I've had for about 4 or 5 years now and never had to do much other than defrag it now and again. It's running XP with SP2 and gets used for allsorts.

It's main use these days is for running navigation software while bluetoothed to a GPSr that sits on the dash. But also gets used at work for interfacing with various instruments that still only run in XP. Being small and compact, it's great for easy handing out in the field and on site.

Happily runs MS Autoroute, which we use across Europe, Ordnance Survey Memory Map for more detail in the UK and a bespoke trip computer app that a mate of mine built.
Will also run Google Maps, Google Earth.
Many of these apps will happily run along side each other using GPS Gate to split the GPSr bluetooth signal.
It also has MS Office 2010 Pro on it and can be connected to the internet, either by using a dongle, or WIFI of any sort, including using my Iphone's WIFI hotspot.

With a couple of external hard drives, it's a great storage device (giving duplicate back up copies) for photos while on a trip.

The kids both has later versions N150 and N210, both of which have most of the above loaded on them and can be used as a back device if needed.

I've often thought about replacing it, and am currently considering fitting up an Ipad mount in the centre (hung on a RAM mount with a bracket in place of the dash centre cup holders). But, like you, I get the feeling the Ipad will reduce the in cab/on the road capabilities. MS Office capability being the main thing that would be missing, although there's apps about that woudl give a suedo Office ability.

In the truck, it lives on a mount thats bolted to the seat runner (adjusted in such a way that it is braced against the dash (air bag disabled!!!) to completely stop vibration, especially off road) and has done many thousands of miles like this. The only disadvantage with the way I mount it, is that it's not easy to view while driving - but then, that's the navigators job !!!!

 

[xbox73]

13.3" Ultrabooks offer a nice balance of power & portability, but probably cost more than you'd like to spend, especially if you're trying to sneak an Android tablet into your budget as well.

I had an Asus Eee PC 10" netbook, and that was probably the best value PC I've owned to date. Used it for many hours a day for years; 'cos of its size, I took it with me often when I would have never considered carrying anything more bulky; dropped off the bed multiple times when I fell asleep watching a Netflix movie, etc. I eventually cracked the case after dropping it one too many times, and it didn't want to power up after that, but it was cheap, I'd gotten a ton of use out of it, and I was due for an upgrade anyway, so I wasn't too upset.

Having done the whole netbook thing, my advice to you if you end up going down that route is to get one with an 11.6" 1366x768 screen vs. a 10" 1024x600 screen. The extra ~ 30% of vertical resolution makes a big difference in how much you can see on the screen at one time & how much vertical scrolling you need to do.

I now have a 13'3" Ultrabook as well as an Android tablet, so I can pick & choose my device depending on portability & usage model. Though a large tablet is okay for short emails etc., for heavy content producers & office productivity use, a netbook or ultrabook is a much more efficient solution.

 

[nickburt]

Yes, should have mentioned the resolution issues with a 10" netbook - does take a bit of getting used to and some newer software versions don't like running on it, but once used to it, it's easy to overcome.
Also worth adding that even after some many years of use, the battery will still last 4 or 5 hours (depending on what's running). When new, it would last up to 8 hours.

 

[zuren]

Yes, should have mentioned the resolution issues with a 10" netbook - does take a bit of getting used to and some newer software versions don't like running on it, but once used to it, it's easy to overcome.
Also worth adding that even after some many years of use, the battery will still last 4 or 5 hours (depending on what's running). When new, it would last up to 8 hours.

Would you be able to offer some clarity/examples on the resolution issue mentioned? Is it mostly having to scroll left/right as well as up/down?

My intentions are that this netbook will get very little use. I would also hand it to an overnight guest so they can check email. When I'm home, I'll be on the bigger notebook (that is connected to a dock, larger monitor, wireless keyboard/mouse). If I were using it everyday, I could see where I would want the bigger screen. I'll research some 11" models and see how prices compare. I'm looking for portability so I find myself continuing to lean toward the 10" devices.

Thanks!

 

[86tuning]

I had an eeePC 10" convertible touch screen netbook that worked awesome on win7 and also win8.

It came loaded with win7 and I really had no complaints other than the fact that the OS wasn't touch friendly. I used it for years, often pulling the built-in stylus out when I needed pinpoint control and didn't want to use the touch/mousepad. It was my only computer, and very portable.

So I updated to windows 8 which was designed for touch interface shortly after win8 was launched.

The main issue with win8 on this netbook was that all of the apps required higher resolution than the netbook had, and wouldn't launch. But the desktop applications worked fine, and were touch-gesture friendly.

Also, because the screen border was raised slightly, you couldn't swipe from the edges properly with win8.

So I updated to a Microsoft surface pro tablet and haven't looked back. Got mine around march this year, paid full pop $999 + $129 for the keyboard and then taxes on top. Not cheap, but worth it. Faster than I need, incredibly fast boot time, lightweight and convenient.

Recent smart shopper price is $679 for the 128gb pro, and $599 for the 64gb during the after Christmas sales.

Wife recently got a dell z15 Inspiron, which essentially has the same processing power as my surface pro, but with a bigger screen and an optical drive. $399 on dec 26.

 

[expedition4x4]

I recently converted from samsung android to Dell Venue Pro win 8 tablet which is effectively a surface pro with 8" screen and 64G on board with additionally 64G on sd card space for 299.

 

[nickburt]

Would you be able to offer some clarity/examples on the resolution issue mentioned? Is it mostly having to scroll left/right as well as up/down?

My intentions are that this netbook will get very little use. I would also hand it to an overnight guest so they can check email. When I'm home, I'll be on the bigger notebook (that is connected to a dock, larger monitor, wireless keyboard/mouse). If I were using it everyday, I could see where I would want the bigger screen. I'll research some 11" models and see how prices compare. I'm looking for portability so I find myself continuing to lean toward the 10" devices.

Thanks!

The maximum resoltion of the N140 I have is 1024 x 600. Office 2010 (Word/Excel/Picture Manager etc.) only need scrolling down depending on the window viewing size. The applications themselves run fine with the bottom tool bar visable at the bottom of the screen. As does Autoroute.

So, just check the minimum requirements of app, to see if they will run at this resolution. I did try a couple of photography suites, they would run at that resolution (after asking if you really want to run at this resolution), but need left/right and up/down scrolling to see the whole thing. One or two wouldn't install at all. You might find that as newer apps are developed for Windows 7 and 8, this might become more of an issue. For mine, support for XP ends this year, although, with the right AV software etc... this shouldn't be an issue.

Some of the newer netbooks have better resolutions, although not much, the NC10, for example is 1280 x 600, so left/right scrolling less of an issue. If you go up to a 12, or even 13" note book, resolutions improve dramatically, but size might be an issue, by the sound of it, for your requirements.

LED screens are better for battery life. The touch pad is good, but we use an external track pad which is easier to use on the navigators thigh when on (or off) the road.

I have a 17" Acer laptop that travels with with us anyway for photo post processing etc. if needed in the field, so it's not really an issue - it's just too big to cab mount for navigation etc... and way too expensive to have on show!!!!

Hope this helps. Any more questions - fire away.

 

[zuren]

Thank you for all of the input. I've been reading more about 11.6" screens and even did a little experiment at home. I averaged the dimensions of some fairly standard 11.6" and 10.1" netbooks and cut out their respective footprints in cardboard. It gives me a better visual. As long as the case is on the smaller side, an 11.6" isn't much larger than a 10.1" unit.

Ultrabooks are sleek and sexy. They are also expensive and have more horsepower than I need. $150 is my absolute top end.

Going much larger than 11.6" starts getting into notebook territory where I already have something. I'll keep researching but I find myself being drawn to the Acer Aspire One 722 and the ASUS Eee PC 1015PE. The Acer has the HD screen while the ASUS is 1024x600. Reviews tend to favor the Eee PC and I know it tends to have a cult following with tweaks, hacks, etc.

Thanks!