Opinions, please
Since I've been saving a ton this past year and not really spending much, I decided I was going to splurge on something for myself for my birthday. I'm torn between doing two things:
1) Buying a new iphone 3Gs (I would have to buy it outright since I used up all my phone points last year)
2) Buying an iphone 3G and a netbook.
I keep going back and forth because I've decided to cross over to the dark side and get an iphone and I'd really like to have the radio feature of the new 3Gs (and it would mean I could get rid of my mp3 player). But on the other hand, it'd be really nice to have a netbook that I could just throw in my purse when traveling - my laptop is a dinosaur and weighs just as much, so it's a pain to lug it around all the time.
Does anyone out there have a netbook? I'm just wondering how practical they actually are - I'd basically be using it for internet browsing and email when away from home. I checked out a few today and the keyboards just seemed so small. Plus, the ones I looked at basically only had Internet Explorer loaded and no other software.
Some people have suggested just using the iphone while traveling, but I think it's just a bit too small for it to be my only internet access for a week at a time...
Labels: Technology
posted by Ksam @ 4:35 AM
7 Comments:
i would say get the 3Gs because i know how much you want the radio!!! then try travelling with it - it actually is really easy to use while on the road for long periods... and ifyou don't like it then by then maybe netbook prices will be down even lower and you can pick one up (or second hand?)
that's my .02 :-)
I have a laptop (Gateway tablet PC), a netbook (eeePC), an iPod touch 2G, and a Google Phone (HTC Magic).
I must say that with the kind of space that my phone gives now, I have not needed my netbook recently. But then, your milage may vary :)
good luck!
P.S. If you want, you are welcome to try out my netbook for your next trip, and see if you like the experience.
Me! I have a netbook, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Asus Eee PC with Bluetooth and a battery that gets "up to 9.5 hours" (which really means about 7-7.5 hours but still better than the 2 hrs I got with my Dell). I did some research before choosing this one and it got good reviews from other users. I like the feel of the keyboard, the 10" screen (don't go with the smaller ones, the screen and keyboard are way too small), and I finally bought a slim-line external DVD/CD which let me install some software so I can basically run my business with this from anywhere. Took it with me to the States last month and it was SO much lighter and easier to carry it. Have taken it to Aimee's tea shop and worked there; also Indiana cafes which have free WiFi. It's awesome. I can't speak for the iPhone models but GET THE NETBOOK. Your back will thank you later.
I have a first-generation eee PC with a 7-inch screen. It fits in a (large) handbag and does everything I need: email, web browsing, office software, file transfer, remote server access ... I didn't need to install any extra software. The first time I switched it on, I was picking up my email via a hotel wifi network within minutes -- it Just Works.
It would be nice if the screen and keyboard were a bit bigger, but it's fine for short periods when travelling, which is all I use it for (oh, I also use it to play MP3s via the stereo and listen to Internet radio!).
I wouldn't buy one with Windows, you'll get better performance and battery life out of one like mine (running Linux). You might even find one cheap on ebay!
@Veronica: Totally agree about the Linux one. And skype with voice and video worked with my Linux eeePC straight out of the box! :-)
Actually I've got the one with Windows XP and having no problems with it. I decided I didn't want to bother learning a new operating system right now... and as it is, my husband is trying to get me to go over to the Dark Side and buy a MacBook next time! But I am running my entire busness off this netbook now, and that includes web design changes to my web site and full graphics software, and although I keep a lot of files on an external hard drive to make them more portable, the performance on this machine is better than it was on my 2.5 year old Dell where the hard drive totally CRASHED last year.
But if you're in the States, the time to buy one is now so you can get the QWERTY keyboard easily.
I got a netbook at Christmas and I like it, but I wouldn't be happy if this was my only computer. This was a present so I didn't pick it or do any research into which is the best so my comments are based solely on my experience with the HP Mini. The keyboard is small even though my husband specifically picked one out that had the biggest keyboard available. It takes awhile to get used to but now I am pretty OK with it. The memory is non-existent. Therefore, after 6 months, by computer gives me a message almost weekly that C drive is full and I need to delete stuff. I just realized that I am just going to have to take all my music off the netbook even though I liked to update my Ipod when I am away on vacay (with the netbook). I think its just the nature of a netbook that you can't use it to store anything. I do find it convenient for downloading photos while on vacay so that I can immediately email them to people and clear out my camera memory for more photos. But again, this clogs up the hard drive and you have to move the photos to a more permenant home almost immediately.
The best part of the netbook is how easy it is to tote around. Also, the battery life on mine is great.
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