Go to Windows 7 Insider Guide
Netbooks: Netbook questions (Looking to buy)
Netbook questions (Looking to buy)
by Rollbar - 2/16/09 8:08 AMLooking for lightweight machine to do web browsing, email, maybe a word doc, and when traveling, a DVD movie. Wireless connection mostly but need an RJ45 connection too. Want to use a mouse so a USB connection for a wireless mouse is essential. Finally need Bluetooth to tether a BB when I'm not close to a Wi-Fi broadcast.
I think a Netbook will do the trick for all the above but I'm not sure about watching a movie. Someone suggested I would never be able to watch a normal DVD movie on a Netbook.
I'm looking at the new Asus Eee 1000HE with the Intel 280 processor. I would also order a 2 gig memory dimm to replace the factory 1 gig and I would pick up a USB optical drive. Total cost just over $500.
I like the Netbook's size and weight in general though I think the Asus 1000 HE is close to 5 pounds. Most of them are in the 2.5 to 3.5 pounds range. I can do fine with the 10 inch screen for browsing.
If the Netbook won't do the job I'll have to find a lightweight laptop with a small screen. The wife has a 17 inch Dell with an HD screen and Bluray optical drive. It's nice but it weights 98 pounds and is a bear to carry around.
Looking for any help, suggestions, comments anything to either confirm that the Netbook will run movies just fine or alternatives that will suit my needs. Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Roll
I have the Acer netbook.
by R. Proffitt
- 2/16/09 8:29 AM
In reply to: Netbook questions (Looking to buy) by Rollbar
The 10 inch is now out at 349 bucks with 1GB memory, XP and all that 10 inch display. For 50 bucks I can get an USB DVDRW external and DVDs play just fine.
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AOD150-1165-10-1-Inch-Processor-Blue/dp/B001QFZFS0
For bluetooth I use this ->
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=USB06C&cat=NET
http://www.meritline.com/mini-type-wireless-usb-bluetooth-adapter-bluetooth-dongle.html
http://www.gizmosforgeeks.com/2008/04/10/super-mini-usb-20-bluetooth-dongle/
And there are even smaller ones like this -> http://www.iogear.com/product/GBU421/
Bob
PS. That 2GB memory.
by R. Proffitt - 2/16/09 9:11 AM
In reply to: Netbook questions (Looking to buy) by Rollbar
Do more research. The netbooks I know of did not support a 2GB dimm.
Now you're going to make me work... :-)
by Rollbar - 2/16/09 9:37 AM In reply to: PS. That 2GB memory. by R. Proffitt
I found a site while gathering informaion that gave step by step instructions on changing out the dimm and the hard drive; both are replaceable with upgraded versions. I'll try to find it again and post the link.
It was coupled with a review of the Asus model(s) as I recall.
"I'll be back!"
Roll (thanks for responding by the way)
Let me save you the trouble.
by R. Proffitt - 2/16/09 10:20 AM
In reply to: Now you're going to make me work... :-) by Rollbar
Look in these very forums and you see memory upgrade failures too often.
People try generic memory and go over the maker's spec and more.
-> Take your netbook, PC and head to Crucial.com if you want to be sure.
Bob
PS. I have the Acer, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard disk and see zero reasons to increase the RAM. What would motivate me to do this since its fine as it is?
Upgrading RAM and HD on an Asus Eee 1000
by Rollbar - 2/16/09 10:22 AM In reply to: Now you're going to make me work... :-) by Rollbarhttp://video.gearlive.com/video/article/q108-bleeding-edge-tv-207-asus-eee-pc-ram-upgrade/
Not the piece I saw yesterday but should do. The Eee 1000's have an access panel on the bottom that enables upgrading the RAM and HD.
Roll
Posts crossed in cyberspace
by Rollbar - 2/16/09 10:25 AM In reply to: Upgrading RAM and HD on an Asus Eee 1000 by RollbarWell... The memory upgrade from 1 gig to 2 gig is only $24.
Yes.... you have to buy the correct memory.
Roll
Is that the 1000HE in the video?
by R. Proffitt - 2/16/09 10:38 AM
In reply to: Posts crossed in cyberspace by Rollbar
Be sure to not go where others have not gone before on this one.
No it's not, but the Eee PC 1000 line.......
by Rollbar - 2/17/09 4:40 AM In reply to: Is that the 1000HE in the video? by R. Proffitt
....has the same access panel on the bottom. The video I saw before was a 1000 series Asus.
As for your comment regarding not going somewhere... I'm not sure what you are saying.
Roll
Good stuff.
by R. Proffitt - 2/17/09 7:33 AM
In reply to: No it's not, but the Eee PC 1000 line....... by Rollbar
Sorry for the miscommunications but it does happen.
I think you have it all in clear sight what you want and it should be fine.
My final comment is that my laptop on XP is all of 512MB and runs great and my Acer Aspire 1GB RAM netboot on XP is running great which makes me wonder why I would add more RAM. Why I would not add more RAM is this can result in less batter time. When the RAM is not being tapped, more RAM means more power. Not much, but you are tapping it just a bit more.
Bob
Do some research
by ztronicsalienware - 2/16/09 11:54 PM In reply to: Netbook questions (Looking to buy) by RollbarIf you are looking forward to buy a new laptop first and foremost thing is just do some little research. As now a days many laptops are availabele. But If you ask me which Laptop to prefer certainly I would go for Alienware. Just check it out for it.
Thanks Alien....
by Rollbar - 2/17/09 4:42 AM In reply to: Do some research by ztronicsalienwareI have researched the product.
That's why I'm looking for a netbook rather than a laptop.
So.... has anyone actually played a DVD movie properly on a NetBook?
Thanks,
Roll
Netbook
by ztronicsalienware - 2/20/09 11:55 PM In reply to: Thanks Alien.... by RollbarHi Rollbar,
As far as accessing Web-based applications, cloud computing, and rich Internet applications are concerned netbook is fine. No I haven't yet tried DVD on Netbook. But I don't think it would be better to go for netbook rather than for laptop.
Yes, I've done this (DVD)
by R. Proffitt - 2/21/09 8:16 AM
In reply to: Thanks Alien.... by Rollbar
But then again, what is "proper?"
To me it was as simple as pie. It played great.
Bob (Acer netbook owner)
Not a DVD, but close
by 3rdalbum - 2/22/09 12:46 AM In reply to: Thanks Alien.... by RollbarI haven't played an actual DVD on my netbook, but I stream videos in 640x480 h.264 to my netbook which is plugged into my TV. It handles the decoding perfectly well. I imagine DVDs require less processing power to decode than h.264.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
%20-%20CNET%20Netbooks%20Forums&srcUrl=http://forums.cnet.com/5208-19688_102-0.html?threadID%3D330637){kind=small}