I'm #86

[wblynch]

Hello Everyone.

Just joined yesterday. Don't have a netbook yet. I'm shopping and want to buy today but it seems like better stuff is "coming soon" (isn't it always?)

So I'm in research mode. I have decided I want something that can display 720 or 768 though.

It looks like an exciting product space that's about to explode. I want to avoid the temptation to go too big so I'll stay under 11"

The 11.6" Acer seems too big to be a netbook. The Asus 1005HA has that strange touchpad so I'm thinking HP, Sony or Toshiba.

Glad to meet you all and I'm looking forward to learning from the site.

-Bill Lynch, Mission Viejo, Calif.

[Chris]

Hey Bill,

welcome to the site! I'm reviewing the Toshiba NB205 shortly so be on the look out for that on the netbook blog.

[ThisIsNot]

Hello Bill. Yes, make sure that you pay attention to Chris's blog as the Toshiba review should be up shortly. I also plan on communicating with Chris, real soon, once my HP Mini 110XP netbook comes in (which should be during the second week of August) as I would not mind completing an in-depth review for him (and netbookreviews.com).

There are also plenty of other reviews and user opinions here on netbookreviews.com

[ericinboston]

In my personal opinion, I would never buy a single HP product...nothing...ever....I had a horrific customer service issue about 2 years ago with a brand spanking new printer (ordered from THEIR website) and I will never buy again.

Not to mention that other friends who have purchased HP computers have had nightmares.

Yes, I am aware I may be slightly biased due to my recent issue (but that should still count for something), but I have also worked in the hi-tech field since 1993...so although I personally have had bad experience, my opinion to never recommend HP involves my larger view of HP as seen by co-workers/friends/family experiences.

Originally Posted by ericinboston

In my personal opinion, I would never buy a single HP product...nothing...ever....I had a horrific customer service issue

Interesting. I have a long running HP 1220C printer that has thankfully never needed service. That's why I asked about warranty service on this other thread.

It's great that we both can welcome Bill to the netbook forum.

[ThisIsNot]

Eh, everyone has their bad experiences. I don't think that there is one company that has 100% positive customer experience. I know some people who would never purchase an HP product, I know some people who hate Gateway, I know some people who despise Dell, and so on. I know that you (ericinboston) use eBay despite me having nothing but terrible experience with it.

I have a bunch of HP products that have lasted throughout the years. I have an Offiject G85 all-in-one from back in 2001 that is still running just fine. I also have an older Inkjet HP printer that came with a computer that I purchased back in 1995. I am now using a newer HP all-in-one printer, a 32" HP LCD HDTV, and a few other HP products. From my experience, they aren't as bad as any other company out there.

I will never purchase a Dell computer though, pretty much for the same reasons that you described for HP. I purchased an Inspiron XP Gen 2 notebook back in 2005. I spent $1500 for a $2000 notebook (I ordered it through their education store) that ended up dieing in 2007. The bluetooth module stopped working in 2006 and Dell refused to service the product despite me purchasing a 3 year extended warranty. They said that the bluetooth module stopped working because I opened the notebook and tinkered with it. That was strange as the repair guy (who came to my house, he was a Dell employee) had to break the sticker to fully open the notebook. Dell still refused to service it. My notebooks keyboard collapsed after normal use, Dell refused to service it. The notebook finally gave out for no apparent reason. It just turned off one day and won't turn back on. Again, Dell refused to service it.

I am not saying that people shouldn't value your opinion. I am just trying to get across that everyone has nightmare stories from all sorts of different companies whether it be HP, Apple, Dell, Sony, or so on. I even know people who refuse to buy Asus products. They purchased a first generation Eee PC only for it to die on them and experience Asus' terrible customer service.

This is Bill's welcome thread. Your posts fit better in the product area. Just saying.

[wblynch]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate them all.

Yeah, I'm the same way about HP after buying HP printers for 25 years and never getting a single good one. I'm sick of throwing money away on HP.

Funny thing is every one of those printers cost more than the new HP 5101 netbook !!

I'm just about to pull the trigger on an Asus 1005 or maybe the 1002. I like that metallic cover on the 1002.

-Bill

[wblynch]

Also sorry for not acknowledging your welcome posts sooner. I guess the forum default is no auto subscription. So I never got the traditional email notifying me of new replies.

I have updated my profile for that option.

Thanks again guys.

-Bill