Netbook Or Notebook?

[BCSpace]

Netbook or ultra portable Notebook that is.

Graduation gift. Have not kept up with these types of computers but otherwise we are quite computer savy in both hardware and software. Perhaps 5 or 600 dollars or a little more maximum. I see some overlap in these categories price wise and tend to want to go for an ultraportable laptop for that reason. He's going into Engineering but will serve his mission after one year of college. Have more kids coming up so we will see constant use no matter what.

Perhaps the only decision is how much we are willing to sacrifice for portability (14 inch screen vs. 10 or 11 inch screen). We've always been fans of Dell after seeing everyone else around us have problems with components going out in other machines (we're always fixing for them). In my day, it was an HP calculator. Recommendations?

Edited May 23, 2011 by BCSpace

[bookofmormontruth]

Netbook or ultra portable Notebook that is.

Graduation gift. Have not kept up with these types of computers but otherwise we are quite computer savy in both hardware and software. Perhaps 5 or 600 dollars or a little more maximum. I see some overlap in these categories price wise and tend to want to go for an ultraportable laptop for that reason. He's going into Engineering but will serve his mission after one year of college. Have more kids coming up so we will see constant use no matter what.

Perhaps the only decision is how much we are willing to sacrifice for portability (14 inch screen vs. 10 or 11 inch screen). We've always been fans of Dell after seeing everyone else around us have problems with components going out in other machines (we're always fixing for them). In my day, it was an HP calculator. Recommendations?

Congratulations to your kids!

I used to make fun of people who owned Macs. They were almost a "cult" to me and I refused to be part of this group. After two laptops made by HP and Sony failed in medical school and were "very slow" at their end, I decided to go with a Mac after seeing my then girlfriend love hers.

Despite being pricey (over your maximum), I've gone Mac and will never go back with absolutely no more "fixing". Well worth it!

In regards to the ultraportable laptops. A lot of fellow students had them and absolutely loved them. They were great to bring in with patients and great battery life etc... When I messed around on them - the screen was just way too small for my taste.

[frankenstein]

Here is my take. Liteweight.

I do not like the concept of a netbook, as it seems they do not have a cd/dvd/bluray tray.

I would a say a traditional laptop, we got one for Walmart for about 700$, cd/dvd/bluray player, 64bit OS, 4GB Ram expandable to 8, Ports: esata, HDMI, USB 3, media card reader.

Also, do not get suckered into buying Microsoft Office software, there is a legally free program called "Open Office" all the same functionality as MS Office and it is free.

I would say 14" screen is about right. When you go bigger the laptop becomes clunky to carry around. and when you go smaller, viewing anything becomes difficult.

As for Dell, if dell still offers the 5 year warranty then go with dell. The power supply on my dell broke every year for 3 years, and the motherboard went out once also, thankfully it was all under warranty. I would say go for the longest warranty.

[Spencer L. Jensen]

I would err on the site of portability.

For example, if I can't get away with using a bulky laptop at all during a slow Elder's Quorum lesson, how much surfing can I really do?

None, that's how much.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I do not like the concept of a netbook, as it seems they do not have a cd/dvd/bluray tray.

Could you imagine saying this to someone or writing it just 50 years ago, they would think you were speaking a foreign language...to so you still are; Me!

[etana]

If you can go to $500 or $600. I'd say ultra portable is the way to go. Current Atom CPUs in netbooks are just too weak and will become obsolete much more quickly than a CULV C2D or i3 or even an AMD Bobcat.

edit -

Dell is a good choice for a laptop, also HP and ASUS. With Dell and HP check their sites for refurbs/scratch and dents to stretch your budget even more.

Edited May 26, 2011 by etana

[frankenstein]

ultra portable = very small screen = unnecessary hassle for a college student writing paper and such.

there is also this:

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Remember you’re not the only one heading to college. Get ready to be the coolest kid on your dorm floor with a killer new Windows 7 PC and an Xbox 360 – all you really need for college.

*Get a free Xbox 360 4GB console with the purchase of a Windows 7 PC $699 or more, at participating retailers in the US from 5/23-9/3 or while supplies last. Verification of student status required. See participating retailers for full details.

**Xbox LIVE Gold membership (sold separately) required for Xbox 360 online multiplayer.

Edited May 27, 2011 by frankenstein