<p>Hi all… I am thinking of getting a mini laptop, and looking for advice-- I need word processing and internet, and nothing else, and I do most of my work on a desktop at home. But I end up waiting for my d for hours, at school events and such, because we live so far from her school. </p>
<p>So-- do those of you who have the new smaller laptops think that the screens are big enough, and speeds fast enough, to use for working on large documents, write email and do some minor internet stuff on? Or does anyone have a lighter larger laptop they recommend?</p>
<p>I can’t advise you, but have to say that yesterday when I took my car in for service, I brought my regular laptop in my cute, yet large laptop bag…but I noticed several other people waiting for their cars were pulling out minis from their purses! (ok, the guys didn’t have purses). </p>
<p>So will you be using it in places that have wireless access???</p>
<p>theres a review of light laptops in the WSJ today.
I would never get a netbook but than again, I do much more than you on the computer.
I prefer a light laptop…hooked up to a docking station when I’m home…which gives me a big flat panel monitor, regular keyboard and speakers. I’m in the market for a new one…looking a 14 inch screens…Costco has a decent HP for about 650.</p>
<p>Yes…(pathetically-- I can sit in my car outside the closed library!) I have a laptop whose battery is gone but it is so old and slow and clunky it doesn’t seem worth replacing the battery! I have a technology crush on those minis-- but are they worth it?</p>
<p>One thing to consider is whether or not it would work well for you to keep two computers going. Why not consolidate to one small laptop- and hook it up to a larger computer and keyboard when you’re home? If that’s a netbook fine. I just don’t like the teeny keyboards or low resolution of the screen. I also sometimes use the DVD player and they don’t generally have one.
I think it’s always best to buy a bit more than you need if you can afford it. The netbook Operating System and capacity are very limited.
But…yeah they are cute. I just can’t see adding yet another piece of equipment…my laptop and blackberry are enough!</p>
<p>So are you mostly wanting to fiddle on the internet while waiting in your “free” wireles spots??? Would you consider an Itouch or something like that? Very portable, you can always have it with you. I’m hoping to get one for Christmas! :)</p>
<p>H and I tried out an Acer netbook from Costco. The verdict - yes, it is just fine for us as far as surfing speed and simple word processing go, but the puny screen is just too much for our aging eyes to handle! So back to Costco it went (90-day return policy is GREAT!).</p>
<p>I wanted a netbook to replace my 14" Dell that is inching into its 5th year of service. I have a few issues though…they really aren’t that fast given the amount of “stuff” the Internet pumps out and I have yet to find one with a CD/DVD player (I would like to be able to watch a movie). I can assure you when I can find one that moves as swiftly as my “old” Dell laptop and has something like a DVD player (possibly I can download a movie or TV shows from iTunes and play them back?), I would most likely jump. The prices can’t be beat and I love the portability.</p>
<p>I just bought a netbook with 1G ram, 160G hard drive, Windows 7 and MS Office for $513 for DS for Christmas. I never really gave much thought to the display size, but I read on a Kindle and that’s fine, so I think it’s a matter of getting used to it. The keyboard size claims to be full size…I can’t stand entering text on my iTouch, so I would have a problem with a tiny keyboard.</p>
<p>Justamom, you sound just like me, down to the old Dell laptop! But I did not know about the Costco 90 day return…that makes it possible to really try it out.</p>
<p>Justamom, it sounds like you need a Dell Latitude E4300 (13.3’’ screen, weighs 3.5 lb and has all the bells and whistles of a normal laptop, and I think it can even be configured with a removable DVD drive to lighten the load for travel).</p>
<p>Gwen, Costco’s 90 days return policy on electronics is great - just keep all of the packaging. Additionally, Costco computers come with 2 yr warranty.</p>
<p>I think netbooks are wonderful and I’d love to have one. But, when I checked them out, I saw they require a monthly fee ($40?!). At that point I gave up and ruled them out. </p>
<p>Are you guys paying a monthly fee? Or do you know of deals where that’s not necessary?</p>
<p>db- i pay 40 per month for my blackberry data plan. It’s so I can be connected to my business email and internet wherever I go…I don’t need to depend on Wifi hot spots. Just VERIZON wireless service gets me there. So maybe you looked at some netbooks at a phone store?
For a standard netbook, you would have to find wireless hotspots to use the internet or email (like in a Panera). Plus you would tap into your own ISP at home, presumably through your cable or phone provider (Verizon or Comcast for example)…and yes, there’s a monthly fee. Most folks have bundles at this point (TV, PHONE, INTERNET).</p>
<p>DB…yes, most of them come with a wireless card.
I have had Dells for years…and have had no problems.
The Costco warranty and try out period is pretty attractive though. So I’m going to check them out first.
Not a netbook though… I want more than that…and want to keep myself to just one computer (especially since I can easily check email and so some internet browsing on the road with my blackberry).<br>
GF…good luck! If you get a Dell, be sure to pay extra for an enhanced warranty. Don’t get the kind where you have to send it to them in a box…that’s awful.</p>
<p>We got a Dell laptop at Costco for DD. Check Costco’s website as well - I recall seeing many Dells, and anything that is sold by Costco on the web is returnable to their brick-and-mortar stores within 90 days.</p>
<p>If you do get an extra warranty from Dell, get the kind where they send a Dell dude to your house or workplace.</p>
<p>I am still ‘trying’ out my ACER mini from Costco right now. I have saved all the packaging, but I think its staying. I love it! It came loaded with software, (word, excel), came with a wireless mouse, and an external dvd drive, but I never use those. I use it basically for internet, and it seems fast enough for me. It was only a little over 300 on an online special, shipping included.</p>
<p>The Costco 90 day return (on electronics–everything else is basically no time limit) is a no-brainer! If you look online they usually have specals every month.</p>
<p>Gwen Fairfax - yes I just learned about that Costco return as well, and like you, feel like it could give me a “real” chance to check it out. I wonder if there are any loopholes.</p>