Netbook vs Notebook

D

djEJ

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Hi guys,

I have had good experience with a netbook (Lenovo S10e) in the past and would like to get a new one as my current one is falling apart quite literally. As I haven't been in the hardware scene for a while, I need the advice of the experts on this forum... if you guys don't mind.

I am looking at the following [edit]three:
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/28493483/Asus+EEE+PC+1015BX+10.1"+AMD+Fusion+Netbook/
+
http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/31157925/Asus+K+Series+K53U+15.6"+AMD+Fusion+Netbook/
+
http://purpleflytrading.co.za/shopping/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5458

One a netbook, one a notebook, with a price difference of about R800. I prefer portability, hence the 10". But... just look at that 15.6" display, better graphics and a DVD Writer to boot! (check the K53U specs).
[Edit] Added the Lenovo.

Any help/advice would be appreciated. I want to do some light gaming, hence the Fusion processors. Looking for something below 4k though...

Thanks guys!
 
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If you're keen on buying the Netbook, I'd suggest you chuck in a low-cost SSD to speed things up because its still a lowly dual-core you're dealing with.

If its gaming you want, I'd go for the ASUS 15.6". The beefier APU in that one will turn out better performance than the one in the netbook.
 
You, sir... are a legend. I've wanted a good response like that. If I get the netbook and add an SSD, it's cost the same as the bigger system, just without a DVD-ROM.

And with a price difference of under R800 with a DVD drive and a better APU, I'd say it's the better choice too. That Lenovo isn't worth it, is it?
 
djEJ said:
You, sir... are a legend. I've wanted a good response like that. If I get the netbook and add an SSD, it's cost the same as the bigger system, just without a DVD-ROM.

And with a price difference of under R800 with a DVD drive and a better APU, I'd say it's the better choice too. That Lenovo isn't worth it, is it?
Click to expand...

Nope, the Lenovo trails by a mile in graphical performance. It may pull ahead in a few performance metrics, like decoding through iTunes, but on the whole the APU is the better bet, especially with more software products supporting technologies like OpenCL, which uses the APU to speed up things like video decoding and transcoding (you know, like changing a video from .mkv to .avi or something like that).
 
Noted. So unless I were to get something with an Intel HD3000 (I think) or something, the Fusion is the best?

Why are only you and I replying? Doesn't anybody on the forums have an opinion, especially in terms of battery life (fusion wins, I know), portability, etc.

I am in essence looking for something small, light and functional (not just for office work) that won't make me frustrated when I want to play the odd game or program the odd piece of Java/C/C++/PHP code. I know PHP doesn't take much, but I think you catch my drift. I don't want to spend more than 4k though. I have access to a desktop for working at home and it's fine for that.

I just need something small and light for travelling mainly. And sitting in bed watching movies. :P
 
djEJ said:
Noted. So unless I were to get something with an Intel HD3000 (I think) or something, the Fusion is the best?
Click to expand...

Well, the HD3000 chip isn't terrible for gaming, but Fusion is way better.

djEJ said:
Why are only you and I replying? Doesn't anybody on the forums have an opinion, especially in terms of battery life (fusion wins, I know), portability, etc.
Click to expand...

There are others who do (have an opinion), but I guess they're tired of one too many netbook/laptop/ultrabook threads. I write about this stuff for a living anyway, so its like doodling for me.

djEJ said:
I am in essence looking for something small, light and functional (not just for office work) that won't make me frustrated when I want to play the odd game or program the odd piece of Java/C/C++/PHP code. I know PHP doesn't take much, but I think you catch my drift. I don't want to spend more than 4k though. I have access to a desktop for working at home and it's fine for that.
Click to expand...

Then go for the 15.6" APU, its perfect for that. Some people I know have also used tablets for the same things you're looking to do, but they're not always the best thing for the job.
 
A while ago I actually thought about gettting the K53U too, but the price was about R1000 less if I remember correctly, also from Purple fly. I think the Notebook would definitely be a better buy, It's really not that much of a difference in size (might just seem like that to me, seeing as my laptop is quite bulky, not heavy at least). The K53u would also allow you a bit more if you want to "sit in bed and watch movies" or play the odd game. And to be honest, the slightly larger screen size will not make you contemplate suicide when you have to do that bit of php editing away from home. So in short, I agree with Wesley on this one.
 
Dan C said:
Why not something in between if you still want portability , like this (but a bit more expensive ..)

http://www.eshopper.co.za/pU32U-RX012V/Asus-Ultra-Thin-133-Ultrabook---U32U-RX012V.aspx
Click to expand...

Sweet! This is exactly what I was looking for. Small (but not too small), light and with the specs I need. Anybody played around with a 13 incher? In comparison to the 15", what is best (remember, I love my 10.1" lenovo s10e and never had major issues).

Thanks for all the comments and recommendations, guys. My logic and everything in this thread says I must go for the 15" laptop (with DVD-ROM), my gut says this 13" one...
 
13" is a good compromise, the resolution on a 10.1" display is usually 1024x600(too low, especially if you are actually planning to do work on it) whereas 13" and 15" displays are usually 1366x768 and the keyboard will be pretty much full-size minus a numpad.

Do you really need an optical drive?
 
KhoisanX said:
13" is a good compromise, the resolution on a 10.1" display is usually 1024x600(too low, especially if you are actually planning to do work on it) whereas 13" and 15" displays are usually 1366x768 and the keyboard will be pretty much full-size minus a numpad.

Do you really need an optical drive?
Click to expand...

Need: No.
Want: Maybe.

I have had my netbook for 3 years (using it more than my desktop at most times) and have never NEEDED one. There is the DVD player to play DVDs... And other software, I can convert if need be to an ISO or other form. I haven't NEEDED the drive at all..

I guess the 13" incher is the way to go. Best compromise. Too bad there isn't one with a drive for a low cost.

Thanks all you guys!
 
Bad news... I saw 11.6" netbooks as well. Now before you guys get upset and say I've made my decision... I take a while (up to months) to follow through with anything that involves money (call me a jew).

There's the Sony VAIO Y35: http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/27353330/Sony+VPC-YB35+11.6"+AMD+Dual+Core+Notebook/
then the Aspire one AO725: http://www.have2have.co.za/product/...-Aspire-One-AO72&utm_campaign=shop_comparison

Obviously, the Sony has better specs with a larger HDD, E450 instead of C50 processor and the graphics card which is an upgrade. And for R200 more, it seems worth it.

Of the two, I've seen the Sony get bad reviews while the Aspire got good ones even though the Sony is "better" in theory.

Any advice from the sages of MyBB.
 
My brother is also now looking at buying a new one.

djEJ, what did you get, or are you still looking?
 
SharkBait said:
My brother is also now looking at buying a new one.

djEJ, what did you get, or are you still looking?
Click to expand...

Hi Sharkbait,

I didn't get any one of them yet, but I think I might just go for the acer 1015bx for the cost factor
http://za.asus.com/Eee/Eee_PC/Eee_PC_1015BX/

It has everything I need and is the same form factor as my old netbook, which was comfortable for me.

My brother got the vaio and is happy with it. He can watch everything he needs and is satisfied with the battery life.

What exactly does your brother need in terms of portability/speed/size/keypad/disk drive?
 
Well, he has the Samsung NC10 now, but the screen is giving issues. So, he wants something that is the same, but I don't know if there are new ones with faster processors out and that stuff...

The one in your link seems fine. Found one @ R3300+- and he will add a 120GB ssd drive to it and use the 500GB hdd in an external casing.
 
SharkBait said:
What's wrong with this one?

http://www.rebeltech.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=59&products_id=6855
Click to expand...

Nice... 1.86Ghz dual core.

The reason I prefer the AMD fusion processors is because of the discreet (and quite good actually) graphics card which even seems to trump the Intel HD3000. I've seen demos of people playing GTA: San Andreas on it easily. And I mean on high everything. That's an old game, but if you wanna play some WOW, you can with these cards as well. I'll check out the Gigabyte too. Price seems good.
 
I'll go with the 13" ultrabook or one of those 11.6" mentioned above for the higher screen resolution.
 
As promised (and long overdue), the comparison of AMD and intel...

http://www.tlbhd.com/intel-atom-n2800-vs-atom-n570-vs-amd-e-450c50-benchmark-comparison-10489/

The AMD is a LOT better when it comes to graphics (especially later games). So if you want gaming performance on a netbook, it's AMD all the way (E350 should perform similarly to the E450 I think). If you want processing power (multitasking) but little to no gaming, go intel. I hear that the AMDs can lag a fair bit when it comes to multiple windows and applications being open at once.
 
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