Netbook Advice

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Viva

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I currently only own a desktop PC and I'm increasingly developing a need for a more mobile device. I thought about getting a tablet, but it might not be the best fit as I need to type some documents from time to time. The iPad and Android tablets are also a little expensive. The Kindle Fire's price is good, but I don't like settling for a dumbed-down version of Android. That leaves me with a netbook, which should serve my needs pretty well.

The best offer I could find is the Gigabyte Q2005 @ Sybaritic for R2883. Intel Atom N550 (1.5GHz) / 2GB DDR3 / 320GB HDD / 10.1" LED / Win 7 Starter / 6-cell Battery.

Kalahari.net sells the same netbook for R1999, but this means 1GB memory, 250GB HDD and a 3-cell battery. The Sybaritic deal looks better to me.

I would have liked it to have an Intel Atom N570 (1.6GHz), but it seems they're not that widespread. I'm also not particularly excited about the 1024x600 resolution, but higher resolution screens = much more monies :(

Do you have any suggestions? Any great deals I should know about?
 
I know it's pricey, but check out the Asus Transformer with keyboard dock.
It's awesome.
 
Viva said:
I currently only own a desktop PC and I'm increasingly developing a need for a more mobile device. I thought about getting a tablet, but it might not be the best fit as I need to type some documents from time to time. The iPad and Android tablets are also a little expensive. The Kindle Fire's price is good, but I don't like settling for a dumbed-down version of Android. That leaves me with a netbook, which should serve my needs pretty well.

The best offer I could find is the Gigabyte Q2005 @ Sybaritic for R2883. Intel Atom N550 (1.5GHz) / 2GB DDR3 / 320GB HDD / 10.1" LED / Win 7 Starter / 6-cell Battery.

Kalahari.net sells the same netbook for R1999, but this means 1GB memory, 250GB HDD and a 3-cell battery. The Sybaritic deal looks better to me.

I would have liked it to have an Intel Atom N570 (1.6GHz), but it seems they're not that widespread. I'm also not particularly excited about the 1024x600 resolution, but higher resolution screens = much more monies :(

Do you have any suggestions? Any great deals I should know about?
Click to expand...

I"m currently quoting on two of these netbooks for a customer. One is a Toshiba NB500-116, the other a Mecer M1110Q+. While both are quote similar, the Mecer benefits from the Atom N570, the optional upgrades to the RAM and hard drive that Mustek does on your behalf, and both have built-in 3G modules. One other area where the Mecer would win is that you can get a higher-capacity 6-cell battery if you need that capacity.

Toshiba NB500-116 @ R3820

Mecer M1110Q+ @ R3009

The only caveat about the Mecer is that you'll have to specify that you want the 3G card installed/bundles, and if you want any larger hard drives the option is there. This will work out better for you if you have a friend with an account with Mustek. Personally, I've played with the Toshiba and its a very good buy. One could even install Linux instead and get better performance, though you'll have to double-check for drivers for the 3G modem.
 
NAG - Wesley said:
I"m currently quoting on two of these netbooks for a customer. One is a Toshiba NB500-116, the other a Mecer M1110Q+. While both are quote similar, the Mecer benefits from the Atom N570, the optional upgrades to the RAM and hard drive that Mustek does on your behalf, and both have built-in 3G modules. One other area where the Mecer would win is that you can get a higher-capacity 6-cell battery if you need that capacity.

Toshiba NB500-116 @ R3820

Mecer M1110Q+ @ R3009

The only caveat about the Mecer is that you'll have to specify that you want the 3G card installed/bundles, and if you want any larger hard drives the option is there. This will work out better for you if you have a friend with an account with Mustek. Personally, I've played with the Toshiba and its a very good buy. One could even install Linux instead and get better performance, though you'll have to double-check for drivers for the 3G modem.
Click to expand...

The Toshiba looks like old stock and it's a little overpriced. The Mecer looks alright, except for the fact that a 6-cell battery is not standard. lt also looks like the 3G is not build in - it's an optional: "1 x Half Mini PCIe Slot for Optional Internal 3G Module".

So far the Sybaritic deal still looks the best.
 
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I have a couple of netbooks with 10.1 screens they are nice and portable one with 3 cell battery and one with 6 cell battery
traveled abroad with the 3 cell . was no problem because there is always power . the 6 cell netbook is a lot heavier .
but if possible look for a 12 inch screen my sister has one they seem the ideal size screen not to small and are still easy to lug around
 
Viva said:
Thanks! There are some great prices, especially on laptops. The netbooks unfortunately have older Atom CPU's. I'm a little cautious about buying older hardware.
Click to expand...
That deal from Sybaritic is probably the best you'll get.

The N5xx series Atoms have twice the performance than the older single cores according to passmark so definitely get one of those.
 
FNfal said:
I have a couple of netbooks with 10.1 screens they are nice and portable one with 3 cell battery and one with 6 cell battery
traveled abroad with the 3 cell . was no problem because there is always power . the 6 cell netbook is a lot heavier .
but if possible look for a 12 inch screen my sister has one they seem the ideal size screen not to small and are still easy to lug around
Click to expand...

I agree, 12" is a much better size screen. Unfortunately, that pushes the price higher than I'm willing to pay right now.

Silverlight said:
That deal from Sybaritic is probably the best you'll get.

The N5xx series Atoms have twice the performance than the older single cores according to passmark so definitely get one of those.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm really hoping the N550 won't disappoint. Then it will be the Gigabyte Q2005 from Sybaritic. Thanks for everybody input - I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing some or other great deal.
 
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I have a Samsung N220 with 3 cell. It is really light and lasts for 6+ hours of actual surfing. Use on photo shoots to dump from SD card. When I need to crunch, I''l use the big quad-core Acer notebook, but you'll hardly feel the netbook in a bag. Mine's for sale btw.
 
I ordered the Gigabyte Q2005 from Sybaritic today after the price was lowered to R2507. What a steal!
 
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I got an Asus 15.6" K53U with an AMD E350 processor. While there are times when you can see it doesn't have the raw processing power of a desktop, it is a quick little thing, and it seems to be holding up very well :).

I bought it for R3k in July, so it's probably come down in price.
 
scotty777 said:
I got an Asus 15.6" K53U with an AMD E350 processor. While there are times when you can see it doesn't have the raw processing power of a desktop, it is a quick little thing, and it seems to be holding up very well :).

I bought it for R3k in July, so it's probably come down in price.
Click to expand...

Got the Acer version with the same chipset and 5gb ram.
The built in AMD vision(HD6310),is very nice to have since it can actually do some gaming.

My friend has the Gigabyte Q2005 netbook and its only downfall is the 1024 x 600 resolution of the screen.
Quite a nippy netbook though.
 
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