O/T netbook advice

[Cadiz Seagull]

Going to buy a netbook when I'm in UK in a couple of weeks, any suggestions?

I need it for internet and Microsoft Office and Outlook mainly, I just need something that's light and easy to carry around. I'll plug in a normal keyboard when I want to work at home.

All suggestions much appreciated - Samsung? Packard Bell?

I'd prefer to buy from a store rather than online so I can see what I'm getting.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[ripper]

Samsung or Asus are good (I have used both). Avoid Packard Bell.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Avoid Packard Bell, they have the highest failure rates, Asus, Toshiba and Sony are your best bets.

 

[Bold Seagull]

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTM3NDg3NTI

 

[CheeseRolls]

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTM3NDg3NTI

Brilliant Apple don't even make a netbook, yet you are ready to recommend them, just in case they decide to enter the market Such blind devotion is very touching.

 

[skr80]

I have the Samsung NC10 - very pleased with it.

 

[essbee]

samsung NC10 - I also have one and they are quality.

 

[Gwylan]

Another vote for the Samsung NC10 - nice bit of kit

I have an Asus running Linux too but the Samsung shades it for me.

 

[CheeseRolls]

I am looking to buy my youngest a netbook and my current favourite is the Asus EEE 1215n

I was waiting on a detailed review before parting with the cash, but it seems that everywhere that had stock has immediately sold out. If this doesn't get sorted I will likely look at other models from Asus and Samsung.

Cadiz Seagull , you say you want to try before you buy. If you have the time, I would head to Tottenham Court Road in London, try a few then go buy online, from a reputable retailer.

 

[beorhthelm]

for some time the Samsung NC10 has been the daddy, i recall another has emerged recently to beat it but basically you wont go wrong.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Brilliant Apple don't even make a netbook, yet you are ready to recommend them, just in case they decide to enter the market Such blind devotion is very touching.

Love it. It was a guaranteed response. I think it's so funny that the Apple detractors are more passionate then the Apple lovers. Brilliant. Well done!

 

[CheeseRolls]

Great, so everybody is having a good laugh and getting along just fine. Now if we can just ignore your irrelevant suggestion and get back to the question in hand that would be fine.

 

[Bold Seagull]

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/

 

[beorhthelm]

http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/

you really are having difficulty with the requirements:

I need it for internet and Microsoft Office and Outlook mainly, I just need something that's light and easy to carry around. I'll plug in a normal keyboard when I want to work at home.

ipads dont do any of these things.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, Samsung sounds like the best bet, Does anyone know of any large stores that sell them so I can go and have a look - I don't think the sell them in PC World do they?

 

[CheeseRolls]

Report: Asus Has ''Off the Charts'' Reliability Score

Useful background stats on reliability

 

[Badger]

you really are having difficulty with the requirements:



ipads dont do any of these things.

That's not strictly true, you can get a wireless keyboard for the iPad, a snip at £50

I should know I bought one for my gf a couple of months ago foolishly thinking it would be £30 tops.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Well it does and it doesn't. I'm not an apple freak by any stretch. It makes me chuckle the vitriol people save for the brand though. I posted a link and it straight away gets an insulting response, as if on cue! I use both PC and Mac in my line of work, and know the pro's and con's of each.

That said, the iPad does all the things you say, just with different software. Instead of Outlook, you would have fully compatible Mail, instead of Office, you have iWork with Pages and Numbers which is compatible with Word and Excel. I've switched between these and it's not always 100%, Numbers documents sometimes are a little odd in Excel and need reformatting. They are easier to use than Office though.

IPad has bluetooth so you can connect wireless keyboard and mouse, put it on a stand and it's a desktop computer.

Got to say, the interface is amazing for looking at your Mail and websites. I don't think anyone would disagree that browsing on an iPad is very impressive. You won't find the ease of zooming and panning on any netbook.

But hey, you pays your money...

 

[bhaexpress]

I bought an Apad recently, it runs the Google Android system., It's similar (but obviously not as good) as an Ipad but it was about a quarter of the price. The really big drawback is that as yet it doesn't support a 3G dongle which a Netbook (and an Ipad) will.

 

[bhaexpress]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, Samsung sounds like the best bet, Does anyone know of any large stores that sell them so I can go and have a look - I don't think the sell them in PC World do they?

Try not to laugh but you see them in Cash Converters.