Are netbooks a good choice of computer?

Question

I'm looking at buying this:
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/laptop-inspiron-9?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

Need to know as much as you can tell me about them, is Ubuntu a good choice of operating system also? really appreciate your help xxxx

Answer 1

Firstly unless you like lugging around large heavy laptops, netbooks are a great choice. Netbooks have some advantages and dis-advantages (however many of the dis-advantages are only seen by people who don't understand the point of a netbook).



My knowledge of such machines is from being a very satisfied owner of an Elonex Webbook (with Ubuntu 8.04) since they first hit the shops last year. My only niggle with it was that by default the sound is turned down low, but the fix was easy. The Linux version was by choice, the reasons are simple, as Linux uses less system resources than Windoze it runs faster and with longer battery life than the same machine running Windoze. Also bearing in mind the limitations of a Netbook, it does exactly what I need it to do; browse the web, email, office work on the move (Open Office), edit photo's (the Gimp). When away from home or the office I can find wifi access points and check my emails (although 3G dongle compatibility is built in I don't use it).



The perceived dis-advantages (by some) are:



No DVD drive (the machine is not meant to be a media centre and any software can be installed either by downloading it, from a USB flash/pen drive or an external USB DVD when you get home).



Rubbish sound from tiny speakers (what do people expect from such a small machine, use headphones they are way better than any laptop speakers (including Apple laptops)).



Graphics (Err what can I say? did I buy the machine to play the latest games on the move? NO. If I want to play games I have a desktop machine at home for that with a comfortable chair and a 22inch widescreen monitor).



The (real) advantages:



Light weight and size (it can fit into a normal bag that doesn't scream HEY! I HAVE A LAPTOP, MUG ME and doesn't leave you with a sore shoulder after carrying all day).



Doe's everything you need from a PORTABLE computer (by that I mean if you want to watch movies then a portable DVD player is way, way less than £/$100)



At the end of the day it's your choice, but netbooks, unless you are someone who is impressed by size are what a portable computer should be.



If you need more info contact me.

Answer 2

Netbooks are an excellent choice of computer to supplement a desktop. They're mix of portability and functionality is unmatched, not even by the iPhone (have you tried answering a dozen emails comprehensively in five minutes on a small 3.5 inch touchscreen?)



As other's have pointed out, a netbook lacks processing power (most come standard with the Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor) and around 1GB of RAM depending on model. This is enough for simple word processing and browsing the net, but you'd struggle to run Vista on it (hence why they come pretty standard with XP/Linux) or any kind of demanding game.



Regarding the heat problem, that would only be on the models which have hard drives. You can get models with Solid State Drive. This has no moving parts and is very energy efficient. Unfortunetly it costs a lot to buy in and so you don't usually get as much storage space as on a model with a hard drive (the new Sony VAIO P Series is an exception).



Check out our website for some ideas - I'd advise you against the Dell, it's a much compromised laptop, number #7 in our Top Ten Mini Laptops. I suggest looking at the Samsung NC10, HP mini 1000/Compaq mini 700, Asus Eee PC 901/1000 or Acer Aspire One.



Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The keyboards are a bit smaller, the screen sizes are a bit smaller, and they're generally less powerful. And there's no optical drive for playing DVDs and CDs.



But that's the point.



It's not meant to be a laptop. It's meant to be a netbook. It's for the net. It's for portability.



It's something you can toss in your purse and run to a coffee shop with to check your email or your Facebook or instant message friends.



Ubuntu should be fine. Notice how anyone who says it's complicated to use can't cite any real everyday examples. It's a point-and-click interface with icons that launch applications, and it comes with all the software you could possibly need on a netbook (web browser, email client, image editor, music player, video player, office suite).

Answer 4

Netbooks, and tablet PC's, (Small laptops) don't have as much power as their full size laptop 'cousins'.



With an Operating System like WinXP, this can be an issue. With an O/S like Ubuntu, it's not.



Why?

Because Ubuntu Linux isn't a 'bloated' O/S. It doesn't have everything a user can possibly want to use, and the kitchen sink!

You may be going. "OH!"

Hold on, it doesn't mean Ubuntu is a lesser O/S! It actually means Ubuntu is superior!



How's that? Because YOU the USER, put what YOU want, for programs and applications on your computer. Not be dictated what the O/S wants you to have!

This way, your computer isn't stuffed with a bunch of junk.



Plus, Ubuntu, (Or any Linux based O/S), handles programs and applications faster. It's the way the kernel, inside the O/S (Operating System), was made.



This is why a relative non-powerful computer, can use a Linux based O/S, and be as powerful as larger, more powerful computers.



PLUS, there are THOUSANDS of FREE programs and applications for a Linux based O/S computer!

Free!

Really!

How? Because they are Open Source.

1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source

2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK61kUgQcZ0



One of which is OpenOffice. (Free)

A computer that has OpenOffice on it, can use anything generated on a computer that has MS Office.

A computer that has MS Office, can use anything generated on a computer that has OpenOffice on it.

There is no learning curve for a previous Windows user. The graphical interface looks VERY similar to MS Office. Only the names of the programs is different.

1.Info on Wikipedia.org about OpenOffice,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Office

2.OpenOffice home page,

http://www.openoffice.org/

3,Screenshot's of OpenOffice,

http://why.openoffice.org/why_great.html

(Besides hovering your mouse cursor on each program screenshot, you can Left-click once on it, and enlarge the view)

There is a lot more info on this page.



Just ONE example, of free software.



I would like you to read this about Malware, (Viruses, Trojans, Spyware, etc), when using a Linux based O/S,

http://www.linux.com/articles/60208



For a longtime Windows user, a Linux based O/S, (Ubuntu is Linux based), is a bit of a learning curve. Not really in the sense of 'Learning Curve', you might expect, though. Not in a bad sense,

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm



Edit: Unlike their Windows 'cousins', Ubuntu (Linux) based netbooks, don't have the limited issues that Windows based O/S netbooks have.



I think the answer given about netbooks is great, and I believe the information to be correct, EXCEPT when basing it on a Linux based O/S (Ubuntu) computer.



You CAN run videos. You CAN listen to music. You CAN do LOT's of stuff, that a Windows based non-powerful computer CANNOT.

I don't blame my esteemed colleague, that works at a computer store, for his lack of knowledge about Linux O/S based computers. MANY people don't have a clue!



1.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke-kel9zOFo

(Made in 2006. Ubuntu has evolved WAY beyond this point!)

2.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4wB3GUemVw

Some of this is possible with a non-powerful computer. SOME of it, indeed, does take a wee more power! lol!

It's a fast video showing the 3D desktop available when using the Compiz Fusion windows manager, add-on.



Aeroglass for Vista, is a windows manager. Compiz Fusion makes it look like a BABY!



A 3D desktop is a cube. There are FOUR desktop screens available. AT THE SAME TIME!! You just spin the cube.

The 3D desktop has evolved into where you can make it a Sphere.

3.Add-on's:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Compiz+Fusion+add-ons&aq=f

4.Like this, for one,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHLDtJXc8fg

Answer 5

Netbooks are very handy and helpful computers, BUT they are exactly what they are called...NET books. they are only meant to do simple tasks online and save small files. 90% of them do NOT come with a hard drive, but about 4-8 GBs of flash memory. the battery life is pretty short (a hour or so, maybe 2 at most on newer models) and they also have the very cheapest operating systems installed (which is why they are so affordable) such as windows XP and linux. windows XP would be your best bet if you are going to buy one because linux is a source-code based operating system which takes quite a bit of knowledge to run and be able to interact with.



they cannot play movies, and have limited music capabilities. but are great little things to surf the web at times when you wanna just check your email or play a simple game of online solitaire or something.



I am a manager at a retail store which sales netbooks and we have had a lot of returns of netbooks from complaints of how incredibly hot they get. because of the size they have very inadequate cooling for the components inside which will shorten the component's life expectancy greatly. a computer without good cooling only lasts around 1-2 years, because the processor and capacitors will eventually burn out. so if its something you wanna keep on your lap, youll need a book or cooling pad underneath it to help keep it as cool as possible, otherwise it will do damage over time without cooling, let alone damage your body. the heat being on your leg or crotch will heat up your blood so much that it can do damage to muscles and tissue.



(there is actually a article online where scientists actually have proven that laptops contribute to male sterility because they heat up the organs so much when they have it on their lap that it damages the testicles.



sorry, too much info but im just warning you. im not against them, they are a great idea but have extremely limited capabilites. if your into any kind of multimedia or music or anything above internet browsing and pictures than I would not recommend them

Answer 6

XP is your best bet, 300 quid for a Dell netbook & XP is not bad but don't expect to be able to run tasking applications on the 1.6ghz cpu. They are good for online, music & should play movie files, but not from DVD as there is no DVD drive. The dells looks nice but the hard drive is limited, check out http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152547 I would say get a netbook over a cheap Vista laptop (a 400+ quid laptop with dual core should be able to run Vista properly) but don't expect it to be speedy & be prepared for no DVD drive. Get a cheap XP laptop with DVD drive if you can - most places sell Vista now tho.

Answer 7

I just want to add that my 9'' screen laptop is better than my portable DVD player for watching movies.