Netbook (web, email, maybe HD video)

[ThisIsNot]

Well, ANY netbook is going to be underpowered when compared to a MacBook Pro. Netbooks are designed to give you the bare basics for computing. You can run iTunes (though HD video playback is impossible and SD video playback might stutter at time, this is due to iTunes using software acceleration for video playback and not hardware), Office 2007 (or the latest version of OpenOffice), Windows 7, FireFox, etc.

The HP Mini 311 and Toshiba S1125 are both very capable machines with the Toshiba giving you performance that is very close to what a true notebook will give you. The Eee PC 1001P is also capable except when it comes to HD video playback. YouTube HD is definitely out of the question with that too but it will work with either the Mini 311 or Toshiba.

The only downside is that the more capable netbooks (and ultra portable notebooks) last about 6 hours on a single charge. The MacBook Pro models with the uni-body configurations get about 6.5-7 hours of real world usage. Basically the netbook (or ultra portable notebook) will act as a companion to your MacBook Pro. You can take it on short trips without having to haul around a 5+ lb notebook and still get the bare basics of PC functionality.

On a side note, have you thought about the Apple iPad? It is definitely more expensive than even a well equipped netbook but it can last for 10 hours of real world usage on a single charge, playback 720p iTunes Store purchases (along with other 720p mpeg-4 AVC videos), and thinner (and smaller) than any netbook currently on the market (even the older 6-7" ones). It runs the iPhone OS version 3.2 and looks a lot like a glorified iPod touch. However, Apple is coming out with Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for the iPad. Each application can open, edit, save, and e-mail Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents (even the new docx, xlsx, and pptx files). It can even playback YouTube HD videos quite smoothly and comes with an iBooks app (you can download newspaper/magazine subscriptions along with books at prices that compete with Amazon and the Kindle). I am not sure if you want to stay within the Apple universe though. An iPad with a paltry 16GB of storage costs $499, the 32GB model comes in at $599, and the 64GB iPad is $699. All of those use solid state storage so you can put the iPad in a paint shaker and it wouldn't skip.

Just something to think about. An HP Mini 311 will definitely have more features (as it runs Windows XP/7) and come in at a lower cost. However, many of the Apple fans are already drinking the Kool-Aid when it comes to the iPad. I plan on messing with one at the Apple store in northern Cincinnati whenever I move back there at the end of the month. The iPad will be released sometime in March, more than likely the end of March. I might just walk away from the store with a new product.

[safetyobc]

I had briefly thought about the iPad. I don't see how I can use it.....yet. For casual internet surfing, I would have to prop up the iPad in my lap or slump over a table to see it. Typing on it will not be easy because you will have to sit it in your lap or on a table to type with both hands.

I will probably wait until the end of March to see if Apple announces any more partnerships. Also, I have been reading around the web that the iPad may be lowered in price quickly if it doesn't sell (according to Apple). AppleInsider | Execs say Apple could lower iPad price if market demands it - report

But ultimately I think I will end up with a netbook. Probably just a web capable netbook will suffice. I don't want to have a redundant laptop laying around doing nothing. I use my Macbook Pro daily. The battery sucks on it as it is about 3 years old and lasts about 20 minutes on a charge. I don't use it away from my desk enough to worry about spending $100 on a new battery. LOL.

Do you think it is better to have XP or Windows 7 Starter or Windows 7 Home on a netbook with common specs?

[ThisIsNot]

About the iPad: Apple has a case for it. The case will allow you to prop it up almost standing straight up to watch a movie, turn it around and lay it down at an angle for typing (much like a physical keyboard), and then flip it around to cover the screen. So typing will be easier than you think with that accessory. The screen is also small enough that I imagine many people will learn to use their thumbs. I wouldn't trust anything from AppleInsider though. They are nothing more than a rumor and speculation site that like to "report" on news from "inside sources." They predicted a large touch screen iPod back in 2005 and 2006. They didn't get things right until 2007 but, after making the same prediction for two years, they were bound to get it eventually. They have also been saying that an Apple tablet (running full on Mac OS X) was going to be released every year since about 2003. They took a statement from an Apple exec, "analyzed" it, and are "reporting" on their "analysis." The exec said that Apple can be "nimble" with the pricing. AppleInsider seems to be making a big deal of it all when this isn't the first time such statements (and actions) have taken place. After all, Apple has decreased the prices of iPods over the years to keep up with the competition, the iPhone received a price slash not too long after its release, and the AppleTV received a price slash which helped boost sales. The Mac Mini, MacBook, and 13"-15" MacBook Pro models have also received price decreases. Students can purchase a MacBook for less than $1000. I don't know, I guess I just have a negative predisposition against AppleInsider due to their past track record.

Well, I am a fan of Windows 7 Home Premium, Pro, and Ultimate. Windows 7 Starter is complete garbage as it doesn't offer many of the advantages that Windows 7 has over XP. Windows XP is still a good operating system even though it is approaching an almost decade old age.

I wouldn't focus on the operating system though as you can always install Windows 7 Pro (or whatever) after the fact. Manufacturers like to charge a premium for Windows 7 (both Home Premium and Starter) on netbooks and I don't know why. Microsoft definitely isn't charging them an arm and a leg for 7 Home Premium (and above). Windows XP is being phased out of netbooks though as they are moving to 7 Starter. Either way, both XP and 7 (Starter and above) will give you roughly the same basic functionality. The main difference is that Aero (the graphical enhancement that makes everything look nice) is only available on 7 Home Premium and above. 7 Starter does not come with Aero (among other things).

Companies are continuing to support Windows XP with their software releases though. They will likely stop supporting XP over the next 3-4 years and, by that time, we should have Windows 8. Companies were quick to support Windows 7 simply because it is what Vista should have been. It is hard to judge what companies will support in the future. They were quick to drop (or never even add) Windows ME support, it took them many years to stop supporting Windows 2000, it took them about a year after Vista's release before it was fully supported, Windows 98 was dropped rather quickly after XP's release (it wasn't that old at the time), etc. My guess is that Windows XP powered netbooks and net-tops are going to be discontinued (or upgraded) over the summer and consumers will be faced with machines running only the different Windows 7 flavors (along with Mac OS X) by this fall. That is when other companies may start focusing more on Windows 7 support and then slowly drop XP support.

We will see. Either way, you should be fine with XP, 7 Home Premium, and 7 Starter. I don't like 7 Starter but that is nothing that a small upgrade won't fix (that is unless you feel like plopping down the extra ~$50 manufacturers charge for putting 7 Home Premium on a netbook).

[safetyobc]

I was looking on the school site to get Windows 7 as you instructed a couple of posts back. All that is offered through my school is Windows 7 (x64) and Windows 7 (x86). Will either of these work on a netbook or do I need x32?

EDIT: I see that the x86 says this in the description "Please note that this mail order includes Windows 7 Professional 32-bit version - Upgrade only."

Will this work on a netbook?

[ThisIsNot]

That sure will. x86 is the label used for a 32-bit computing platform, there is no such thing as x32. The upgrade only disc will perform a clean install of Windows 7 if the netbook has Windows XP on it (I think that also holds true if Windows 7 starter is on a computer prior to installing Win 7 Home Premium and above).

[safetyobc]

Just went and checked out an Acer One at Wal-Mart (only thing in this town that carries any type of electronics). It seemed like a nice netbook. I couldn't' really play with Windows 7 Starter because someone had password protected the thing and only got the log-in screen. The look of the LCD was very bright and seemed crystal clear. Would have liked it if I could have seen the applications and font.

I think I will be okay with a non HD screen. Now to narrow down the netbooks I like.

[safetyobc]

Well today I went to Best Buy and played with several ASUS netbooks. They look neat but after seeing the 11.6" netbooks, I gotta say that I can't see myself using the 10" with the lower resolution. I saw 2 HP mini 210 at different places and both of them had faulty trackpads. I liked the feel of the Acer netbooks a lot better than Dell, HP or ASUS. The toshiba NB305 was the best feeling netbook but too pricey. I loved the toshiba T300 series (same as the T115 but with the 13" screen). They didn't have the 11.6" toshiba. But I am almost certain I am going to get the T115.

[ericinboston]

Originally Posted by safetyobc

Well today I went to Best Buy and played with several ASUS netbooks. They look neat but after seeing the 11.6" netbooks, I gotta say that I can't see myself using the 10" with the lower resolution.

Yup...this is what I saw coming about a year ago...I have a Dell Mini9 from a few years back and it's great for what I use it for...but the screen is far too small (then and now) for any kind of real long-use enjoyment or even a video clip over an hour (I do watch a nice 40min workout video on it, however).

The 10", 11.6", and 12" screens seemed to come out at the same time back in early 2009...and maybe some year we'll move up to 13" or 14" (and likely come with SSDs) as the norm. My prediction is that it will never get over 15" as the norm because now the physical dimensions just make it large which may force people to think about a more powerful "computer" if they have to carry around a large bag...to them, they may not care about the extra 2-3 pounds of weight.

If I were to buy any netbook today I would recommend an 11.6 or larger unless you are going to rarely use the netbook (like me...3 hours a week for video playing and maybe a few hours a month for streaming iTunes into my stereo).

[netbooking]

I like to stay with the smaller netbooks in the 9in or 10in range. Each to their own. 8-) I carry the 9in a lot. I take the 10in on trips for school assignments because it is admittedly easier to use for typing. Anything larger will encroach on my MacBook which will outperform any netbook so I would go with it instead if I have more power needs (screen recording, Photoshop, Powerpoint building, DVD burning) and can manage the weight and size while traveling.