Netbook Help

[JNev]

Hey,

School just started again and going through the classes I found I am probably in need of a laptop, or more specifically a netbook, because one of my classes is C+ Programing and another is A+ IT Essentials. Both the teachers communicate by email and one of them posts everything on Google Docs. So I have done some research and I believe I have found the best Netbook for under $300.

Here it is: Newegg.com - Acer Aspire One AO522-BZ465 Diamond Black AMD Dual-Core Processor C-50 (1.00GHz) 10.1" 1GB Memory 250GB HDD Netbook

It only has 1gb of Memory so I am going to upgrade it with this. And since it has Window 7 Starter and I don't want to shell out for an upgrade to Basic I am going to install Ubuntu 11.04. And eventually I would like to upgrade to an SSD I just don't have the money to right now.

Thanks,
JNev

[glc]

I'll take an Asus EeePC over an Acer in a heartbeat.

[JNev]

Which one would you recommend?

[glc]

Newegg.com - ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-MU17-BK Black Intel Atom N570(1.66GHz) Dual Core 10.1" WSVGA 1GB Memory 250GB HDD Netbook

Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 Laptop Memory Model KVR1333D3SO/2GR

Sorry, netbooks do not support 4gb ram. The Asus maxes out at 2gb, that Acer you were looking at maxes out at 1gb.

With that said, for $300 I'd get THIS instead...........

Newegg.com - Recertified: ASUS K52 Series K52F-BBR5 NoteBook Intel Pentium P6100(2.00GHz) 15.6" 3GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc Newegg.com - ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-MU17-BK Black Intel Atom N570(1.66GHz) Dual Core 10.1" WSVGA 1GB Memory 250GB HDD Netbook Newegg.com - Kingston 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 Laptop Memory Model KVR1333D3SO/2GR Sorry, netbooks do not support 4gb ram. The Asus maxes out at 2gb, that Acer you were looking at maxes out at 1gb. With that said, for $300 I'd get THIS instead........... Newegg.com - Recertified: ASUS K52 Series K52F-BBR5 NoteBook Intel Pentium P6100(2.00GHz) 15.6" 3GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics

WOW. That is a smokin deal. That will not be there very long.

[glc]

The P6100 is not a particularly strong processor, but it blows away any Atom or AMD netbook processor, and you get 3gb ram and Win 7 HP with the real laptop. It also has an optical drive, which a netbook doesn't.

[johnkon32]

Most Linux Distros are gonna work "out of the box" with Asus EeePCs. Therefore, I would recommend you as well to select an EeePC. I'm really satisfied and I've never had any problems with my 1001HA (I purchased it two years ago) and generally with any ASUS products so far.

[strollin]

The advantage of a netbook over a full laptop is that they are smaller and lighter making them easier for students to lug around from class to class. I wouldn't want one to be my only computer though.

EeePC netbooks are fine but so are the Acer Aspire Ones. We have 4 Acer Aspire One netbooks and 2 eeePC netbooks in our family. Functionally they are pretty equal although the eeePC keyboards are really flimsy compared to the Acer's.

The lack of an optical drive on my netbbok hasn't been a big deal for me. I went so far as to buy a USB external to use with our netbooks but it hardly ever gets used so I wish I hadn't bought it.

[glc]

Okay, but THAT particular Acer is a dog. 1 GHz processor and 1gb ram max.

[JNev]

Thanks guys I think I am going to go with the Asus eee PC because its lighter and way smaller. I currently have a 15.6in laptop and it just wont fit well in my backpack.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by glc Okay, but THAT particular Acer is a dog. 1 GHz processor and 1gb ram max.

I have to agree with you there.

BTW JNev, why would you be in such a hurry to remove Win 7 Starter and replace it with Ubuntu 11.04? My wife has a eeePC with Win 7 Starter on it and it is perfectly useable. I have Win 7 Pro installed on my Acer Aspire One and am very happy with it.

[JNev]

Well I have heard that Windows 7 Starter really bottlenecks your system so I just did not want to mess with it. But I don't care either way.

[strollin]

When Starter was first introduced, it had a built-in limiter that only allowed you to run 3 apps simultaneously but MS removed that restriction right away. Performance of Starter isn't any different than other versions of Win 7. It has certain features removed such as Windows Media Player and Media Center and it won't let you change the desktop background but other than that, it's the same basic OS.

[glc]

You can find a Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade from Starter to Home Premium for around 70 bucks.

[JNev]

Ya I just don't have 70 dollars right now so, I am trying to compare Windows 7 Starter to Ubuntu 11.04. I may buy Windows 7 when/if I upgrade to an SSD eventually.

I was looking around and I found these two lists:
1: http://almlys.org/archives/863
2:http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...1-6f4fc21c2ac0

There are a lot of things I see on these two lists, but one of the main things I see is Windows 7 Starter doesn't support multiple monitors, so why does the netbook include a VGA port on the side of it? :\

[strollin]

VGA port is there for what is intended for, to be able to use an external monitor.

Most of the features that are missing from Win 7 Starter are things you probably wouldn't use on a netbook anyway. If you need to use things like multiple monitors then a netbook probably isn't the right choice hardware wise.

[ESCAPEMAX]

I have an Acer Aspire One 721-3574. Its a 12" Netbook. AMD 1.7 CPU. Came with 2gb DDR3 which I upgraded to 4. I installed VM Player to run a GM Auto repair shop manual. And I run a Ford shop manual through an external USB DVD player.