Ask Engadget: what's the best netbook out there now?
By Darren Murph 
posted May 6th 2010 10:41PM
posted May 6th 2010 10:41PM
Suggestions? Oh yeah, we're sure these fine folks have plenty of those. We've actually thrown this same question out in 2008 and 2009, but given all the changes since last decade, we figured the time was right to re-visit things. So, help a mother out, won't you?"This past week my mom decided she would like to be able to use her computer on the patio. The problem is she only has a desktop, so my question is what would be the best netbook for a not-so-tech-savvy mom? All she really would need is WiFi, access to the internet, and Word. Doesn't have to be too fancy, but she would want it to look nice too. Any suggestions?"
used IBM X60s or X61 thinkpad
12.1 screen, thinkpad keyboard/build quality. 300-400 smackaroos and a real CPU that will let you perform as a full laptop.
its one of the last pre-lenovo thinkpads so build quality is topnotch. I have a used X60s for 300USD, it blows chunks off a netbook for slightly more weight.
@wintermute000 Unfortunately the thinkpads are BUTT-UGLY! She wants it to look nice. Spec & build wise you're right though :)
i have the toshiba NB305 and it is great i also got the asus and its not bad but for someone that is not tech savvy i think toshiba has the easy interface
to me most netbooks have the same spec. with minor changes here and there so it rereallyoills down to company reputation
I'm going to chime in as well. I bought a Toshiba Mini NB205 last year and love it. Wish it didn't have a glossy screen, but that is my biggest complaint.
MSi Wind U130
Asus 1201N
For all the iPad pushers, please read the actual requirements...
"This past week my mom decided she would like to be able to use her computer on the patio. The problem is she only has a desktop, so my question is what would be the best netbook for a not-so-tech-savvy mom? All she really would need is WiFi, access to the internet, and Word. Doesn't have to be too fancy, but she would want it to look nice too. Any suggestions?"
She has a computer! She knows how to use it, obviously! She wants a smaller version of her computer that her son Garrett calls a netbook. It's a portable PC that looks the same to her except it's smaller. She recognises Windows, Word, the browser, probably email, the keyboard, etc, etc. This is what Garrett wants for her.
If the next "ask engadget" has someone looking for a touchscreen tablet because their phone is too small, or whatever the reason, I will not be here telling everyone that what you need is a netbook.
So please those of you that love to preface with an 'i', have some respect already!
i would look no further than asus eeepc 1015 or 1016-line. they offer everything you could want from a netbook and have 10+ real battery life.
Asus 1201n is best netbook
Asus EEE series is great for normal computing, plus ion is icing on the cake ;-)
absolutely adore my nokia booklet 3g. use it in the office as my main comp. have a 2 gb ready boost card and its incredibly quick. battery life is insane and it looks AMAZING...better than those hp/dell/letc POS
@hated one So where all these viruses you speak of? I can seem to find any, Of course, I don't click on flashing things that say I've won a free iPad.
The commenting system on engadget is ridiculous.
Everybody just dismisses the iPad.
Guys its the biggest technology launch in history. You CANNOT just ignore it.
@kutt
Good lord man wake up already!! No one cares about your precious pos Ipad!! These people want a computer...Not an over sized cell phone that cannot even make calls!! Just another clear example of apple supporters showing their ignorance! My netbook by itself without having to buy a single add-on makes your hyped up leap frog tablet look like what it really is----a novelty item!!!!
@kutt
I know plenty of non-tech-savvy people who would benefit from an iPad. But they don't have the intention of typing stuff out in Word, especially outdoors. Pages is not Word. It is a word processing program with merits in its own right, but for people who are familiar with Word and don't like change, they won't want to learn a new program. Likewise, they won't want to adapt to a whole new paradigm when, it seems, the mother in question is used to a desktop PC with its physical keyboard and Windows-based OS.
I'm LOVING my Asus UL20A...
sony x series! nuff said
why would you get a netbook as your first computer? get a macbook instead! it has decent specs at least.
@jmiotto
Yet another apple lover that can't read!
ASUS Eee PC Seashell 1005PR-PU17-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook (Up to 11 Hours of Battery Life) $400.
I'm actually considering getting one to replace my MacBook. I'll then get a core i7 desktop as well.
Since ASUS has switched to those teeeny AC adapter plugs I can no longer give them my seal of approval. For the gadget dork community this will be fine, but for the majority out there this will be broken in weeks with no readily available replacement for days. I'm really starting to become a fan of Samsung's netbooks with their matte screen and stereo speakers. The matte screen is a huge deal breaker for me since because this is a netbook i'll be using it in many locations including outside. Samsung FTW!
my msi wind running osx
@AskAppleFanBoys:
I want a Car that's cheap, does at least 45MPG and well reasonable looks...
Answer: Buy an iPad, it's awesome and when you have it in hand people will you give a ride to wherever you want...
.
.
@AskEngadget:
Buy an Asus or Acer one.
@RKK it said best netbook, the ipad is not a netbook its a tablet, witch falls between phone and netbook.
What's the best netbook out there?
I will answer your conundrum with another...
What's the most pleasant way to drown?
@glennS
I don't know what you're getting at. Netbooks aren't some magical force of evil that will hold your head underwater until you drown. They are inexpensive, smaller laptops that surely can handle Word just fine. For what Garrett describes, this seems to be suitable for his mother's needs.
@jupigare
Relax. It's a joke. The answer to both questions is, "There isn't one, they all suck."
The iPad is the best option for your mother. The iPad does the internet, Word processing, and has easy set up for wifi, AND it looks great and displays your digtal pictures when in picture frame mode.
@Cold Dead Fingers
The iPad doesn't do Word. Note that I didn't use the general term "word processing"; I specifically said "Word" because that's what Garrett's mother is familiar with. That's what was specified.
Also, have you tried using an iPad outdoors? Glossy screens just won't work for this use case. Neither will a slate device lacking a physical keyboard -- and don't bring up the keyboard attachment, as that kind of defeats the purpose.
@jupigare Oh shut the fuck up you moron!
First of all, a word processor is one of the most simple applications to understand, AND, Apple made it EVEN simpler. Don't throw that MS Word bullshit, here, because I don't care how much you use windows, Pages is fucking DEAD SIMPLE. My mother learned in minutes. Change the margins? You use your finger and drag to the desired size.
Second, I use my iPad outside EVERY SINGLE DAY. I got my iPad for school and I use my iPad in class and ALL around campus, so don't throughout that LED glossy bullshit, either! You don't own an iPad, so don't discredit something you don't own. I bet your one of those people who say the iPad is a bad ereader, too. I also bet you couldn't give two shits about reading virtual books.
Fuck off!
@Cold Dead Fingers
Thanks for making a bunch of assumptions about me without any evidence supporting it. Great way to support your argument.
@jupigare You, shutting the fuck up and not countering any of my points is proof enough. Go on Apple's site, then, click the iPad tab, followed by, the pages application and watch the video. There is you proof for pages, because I go the extra mile. Glossy screens? Most laptops purchased have glossy screens.
And, btw, I assume so much because you have the typical ignorant argument against the iPad. Please, like it takes so much skill to learn the easiest word processor in history. That is just as stupid as someone saying that the iPad is a bad ereader because of the backlit display.
I'm going to second the Vostro V13
Another vote for the iPad
iPad + Multitasking + 4G + Camera = Netbook Killer.
@Snowelevation
Are you an idiot?
Are all you Ipad leg humpers illiterate?
THE ARTICLE IS ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT RUNS MS WORD !!!!!!
Trolls need to be banned around here.
@Nunya Bizness Fuck Microsoft word, that shit's weak. And, you guys take that shit way too personal. Who the fuck cares? Pages is a dead simple application, it literally takes no skill to learn, on iPad. So, stop making a big deal out of it!
HP Mini 311.
Dell Mini 10v or a hackintoshed eee pc - they are the easiest to run Mac OSX on and are epic.
If she doesn't want Mac OSX them get the eee pc 1005HA - awesome battery life and a supprisingly usable keyboard makes it a winner in my books.
Best netbook-model is Asus Eee PC101MT, with convertible multitouch screen to enable use it as a netbook or as a tabled mode (screen turned on keypad).
http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=xK9O0XZhFswxrTrn
That machine enables your mom to handwrite, make art with touch, to play touch-games (some free with Windows 7 Touch Pack)...
Only disadvantages are that only 1024 x 600 pixel resolution and a little too thick structure. If only they would increase screen resolution to 1366 x 768 or 1024 pixel and sharp structure more to Asus Seashell modells, it would be absolutely ultimate netbook.
I can completely agree with the HP Mini 311 if she needs that much power. The Ion is a nice thing to have but an Intel GMA is enough for most day to day tasks. I have a Gateway lt2016u ($29 with my 3g contract) and I use it for everything. I use it for Office applications, terminal server access, web browsing, and even playing World of Warcraft. It does all of these things well, but not great. If I had to do it all over again I would have gone with an Ion.
iPad, and your Mom could rule the world.
Well I'm not a Professional Photographer by any measure but if I was going to recommend a dSLR to someone who is just getting started, (and for less than $800) then go for the Canon EOS 1000D (or Rebel XS) with the 18-55mm Kit Lens. The Image quality is outstanding and the low light performance is also superb, a massive step up from any point and shoot!
And Canon have LOTS of reasonably priced lenses to expand your kit if you choose to do that, and I can say the the build quality it great.. you CAN'T go wrong with Canon. I started with a 400D a while back and now I have a few lenses and soon I'll own a Canon 7D. Canon cameras are GREAT.
If you want to know about them then this site;
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/
is run by a pro photographer who has reviewed every canon lens there is (Even the $100 000, 1200mm uber telephoto lens) as well as all their dSLRS and he has technical analysis and sample images... his site convinced me to go Canon and I'll never regret it, please do your self a favour and check it out.
And ignore all those Nikon fanboys... they're worse than Apple fanboys sometimes :P
wtf engadget... this was in the 'which beginer dSLR thread'......