Netbooks

I keep thinking about getting one but sometimes I think about how an actual laptop only costs about 100 more, so it never seems like a good idea. I'd rather buy a crappy laptop than a good netbook. Really, what are you getting?

 

I have the MSI Wind U100 series. After some research, I found that to be the best.

I like that it has one-touch overclocking.

 

Does anyone here with a netbook use it primarily to remote into a desktop PC at the office or at home? I'm out on the road a lot and the Blackberry just doesn't cut it when sophisticated urgent issues come up that require me to use email. It forces me to either end sales calls for the day and head into the office immediately or delay action on items that could cost my company thousands of dollars.

Carrying a laptop in my car just doesn't seem practical whereas the latest generation of netbooks can almost fit inside my portfolio.

Another question: Are Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T at $60.00/month for 5GB the only decent options for mobile internet access? Wi-Fi doesn't cut it because I need to have access wherever I am and $60.00/month is more than I want to pay.

 

I couldn't vouch for the viability of netbooks themselves but 5 gb of bandwith is worthless to me, and I'm just a casual Internet user

 

i love my netbook, got mine in Feb, its an Acer Aspire One, here are the specs from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NTFCLE/ref=ox_ya_oh_product

8.9-inch display, integrated webcam, and 6-cell battery with up to 5.5-hours of use
1.6 GHz Intel Atom processor, 160 GB hard disk drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max)
54g Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g); 10/100 Ethernet; Intel GMA 950 graphics
Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 headphone, 1 microphone, Secure Digital slot, multi-format memory card slot, VGA monitor output
Pre-installed with Windows XP Home operating system, Mouse included

I paid $330 shipped back then, probably can find the same model/specs for about $250 or less now.

I primarily use it as a secondary computer, I still live and die on my desktop, but if I need something remotely and my G1 phone isn't cutting it for browsing, I use this sucker. People bicker about the lack of DVD-Rom drive, I hardly ever need it since I have my 250gig external drive and don't really watch movies much on a PC unless its a d/led torrent.

I use Verizon's broadband service through a USB modem, works beautifully, and I pay $30/month, since, well, im an employee.

FWIW, Cricket has broadband service available also for $40/month, but I think has the same 5 gig restrictions, but lacks coverage as Verizon/ATT/Tmobile has.

 

Asus EeePC 1005HA for $321 after rebate and cashback till the end of today (7/26). Upgradeable RAM to 2GB and battery life can reach 10.5 hours.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=1470661

Cnet is very high on it as well: http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-eee-pc-1005ha/4505-3121_7-33698049.html?tag=mncol;lst

 

i bought the asus 1000he for someone. used it for a few weeks to install stuff n check it out. the keyboard is nice n spacy but takes getting used to n it kind of gives in the middle. the speaker is kind of low, but probably average to good for a netbook. those are minor complaints n about all u can complain abt it.
best bits, very nice screen n long battery life.

 

Everything I've read says to make sure you get one with a 6 cell battery for longer use.

 

I won a Cricket wireless card in a contest and got a whole years worth of free broadband service. My opinion on this thing is that I would never waste my money on it. I'm here in Houston and sometimes I have a hard time keeping the connection alive. Hell, many times I am connected and I can't get it to load internet pages, it will give me some error code back. This is the worst device I have ever used and I'm glad I don't have to pay for it. I don't recommend it to anyone, please don't waste your money on this crummy thing.

 

The AcerAspire One rocks with 7. I threw down 7 and never looked back. I'd recommend it, 6 hours battery, it can multitask, and I can do light photoshop. Emphasis on light. Plus, Aero woks fluidly with it because it is DX11 capable.

 

Glad I could help . I've still been trying to decide to buy a netbook or laptop myself so I've been monitoring them for a while.