Finally bit the bullet and got my daughter a NETBOOK...

[HookeyStreet]

....and Im surprised at how good it is. Ive been putting off getting her a 'new' laptop for a while now (as I was out of work and shes only 11 etc). She had been using my old Fujitsu Siemens laptop and the wife gave me her nice new Acer Aspire

BUT..

I wasnt happy with this because even though my laptop is an old shitkicker now, it was MY old shitkicker and had EVERYTHING I wanted on it (ie 5.1 via optical headphone jack, VGA port on the left hand side so I could easily connect it to my TV etc etc). So as Ive started a new job I thought I would treat my daughter to a new computer.

I left it totally upto her and she chose the Acer Aspire One Netbook (Intel Atom 1.6 dual core, 160GB HDD, 1GB of DDR2, webcam, wireless and Windows XP Home Edition: £230) and I have to admit I really like it

Obviously, being a TPU forum member, I instantly thought "Im gonna need to upgrade the RAM on this!" and "XP! Thats going for a start!" LOL

Sadly, the ATOM N270 isnt a 64-Bit CPU so I couldnt install Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate on it . But apart from this, its running great. Anyone else been surprised by these little laptops?

[RejZoR]

I have one, from the older series (A150). I love it. But lately i've decided to pimp it up a bit so i've replaced one 512MB RAM stick with 1GB, so i have 1,5GB total RAM and i'll be getting Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB beast to speed up system and app loading and provide more storage for movies and music. 160GB is nice but it gets filled fast.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by RejZoR

I have one, from the older series (A150). I love it. But lately i've decided to pimp it up a bit so i've replaced one 512MB RAM stick with 1GB, so i have 1,5GB total RAM and i'll be getting Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB beast to speed up system and app loading and provide more storage for movies and music. 160GB is nice but it gets filled fast.

Good stuff

Yep, I sold one to a customer last christmas, they are surprisingly nippy, super portable and really cute too. Cracking little things and really well priced.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by kyle2020

Yep, I sold one to a customer last christmas, they are surprisingly nippy, super portable and really cute too. Cracking little things and really well priced.

Agreed. But I do think popping 2GB of RAM in them from the start wouldnt hurt

[DaveK]

I'd probably get one for college next year (September '10) but I'd probably need a disc drive, I have to say they are pretty well priced and have good features just shame about the disc drive.

Can't you only have a certain amount of RAM and HDD space in them?

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by DaveK

I'd probably get one for college next year (September '10) but I'd probably need a disc drive, I have to say they are pretty well priced and have good features just shame about the disc drive.

Can't you only have a certain amount of RAM and HDD space in them?

Im not sure. There may be a limit, but Im sure Ive seen them with 2GB+ of RAM (after sale upgrade)

Would you need the DVDROM all the time? If not, just grab an external USB slimline one to tuck away

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by HookeyStreet

Im not sure. There may be a limit, but Im sure Ive seen them with 2GB+ of RAM (after sale upgrade)

Would you need the DVDROM all the time? If not, just grab an external USB slimline one to tuck away

Do USB powered DVD drives exist? I wouldn't mind having one in my bag just incase I needed it. If so I'll probably pick up a netbook. Something that's small and can easily slip into a bag is handy to have.

[RejZoR]

What i love with netbooks is battery. I mean you can watch movies for 3 hours, listen to music for 5 hours, browse the web for nearly 6 hours.

[CJCerny]

Originally Posted by DaveK

I'd probably get one for college next year (September '10) but I'd probably need a disc drive, I have to say they are pretty well priced and have good features just shame about the disc drive.

Can't you only have a certain amount of RAM and HDD space in them?

I would make sure that you can type comfortably on it first. I have an Asus 1005 and think it's great, especially for the money, but I would not want to have to type a lot of papers on it. Consider a 11.6" netbook with a full sized keyboard if you do a lot of typing.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by DaveK

Do USB powered DVD drives exist? I wouldn't mind having one in my bag just incase I needed it. If so I'll probably pick up a netbook. Something that's small and can easily slip into a bag is handy to have.

Yep, USB powered slimline drives, like the ones in laptops

Heres an example: http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?W...source=froogle

[erocker]

I got an Asus 900HA open box for $179 a while ago and it's been perfect. Came with everything. I swear Newegg just gave me a new one. Anyways, I replaced the RAM in it with 2gb G.Skill ram and threw in a larger 7200rpm HDD. Couple of weeks ago I put Windows 7 Pro 32 bit and it's turned amazing. 7 works far better than XP with this thing. Higher def video even works better.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by erocker

I got an Asus 900HA open box for $179 a while ago and it's been perfect. Came with everything. I swear Newegg just gave me a new one. Anyways, I replaced the RAM in it with 2gb G.Skill ram and threw in a larger 7200rpm HDD. Couple of weeks ago I put Windows 7 Pro 32 bit and it's turned amazing. 7 works far better than XP with this thing. Higher def video even works better.

I was going to put Vista 32Bit on when I realised that I couldnt put Win 7 64Bit on it But I think it would really need 2GB of RAM to run it smoothly (an upgrade which you obviously did before hand ) As I dont want to upgrade it yet I may just pop Win 7 32Bit on it, surely that would be an improvement over XP lol

But like most peeps are saying, they are pretty nice little systems for the net etc

[newtekie1]

I have an ASUS 1000H. Wonderful little machine.

I ran it with XP home for a few days just to see how it ran, then popped Vista Business 32-bit on it(with 1GB of RAM still). With a SD card in always in the SD slot doing Readyboot, Vista actually seemed better then XP w/ 1GB of RAM.

I then upgraded to a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, and 2GB of RAM, and Vista worked perfectly.

I moved to Win7 as soon as possible though, because I like new, and I have to say Win7 is excellent on these little guys!

I don't really see not being 64-bit a problem, considering I don't think many of us are going to stick 4+GB of RAM in them.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

I have an ASUS 1000H. Wonderful little machine.

I ran it with XP home for a few days just to see how it ran, then popped Vista Business 32-bit on it(with 1GB of RAM still). With a SD card in always in the SD slot doing Readyboot, Vista actually seemed better then XP w/ 1GB of RAM.

I then upgraded to a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, and 2GB of RAM, and Vista worked perfectly.

I moved to Win7 as soon as possible though, because I like new, and I have to say Win7 is excellent on these little guys!

I don't really see not being 64-bit a problem, considering I don't think many of us are going to stick 4+GB of RAM in them.

Awesome

The problem about it not being 64Bit for me is the fact that I have Windows 7 64Bit and not 32Bit Otherwise, I would stick the 32Bit Windows 7 on it for her as Im sure that would run fine with 1GB of DDR2

Ive also got a spare, very small 4GB flash drive lying around doing nothing. Should I enable ReadyBoost on it for her (when I can install Win7 on it).....will it help?

[newtekie1]

If you've got the 64-bit version, you've got the 32bit version, you just need the disc which you can "find" online. The keys are completely interchangable.

[theonedub]

Netbooks are pretty sweet if you don't need a lot of horsepower. I was going to pick up that Aspire One (199.99 at my local Target), but they felt a little slow for what I needed it for. Ended up going the CULV route- which I think is a great compromise (3gb RAM, 64bit Win7, see specs).

One note, the N270 is not a dual core, it is a hyperthread enabled single.

[warup89]

Just beware that the earliest ACER Aspire One's will accept a maximum of 1.5gb of RAM since it already comes with a 512mb stick soldered on and only one socket available. Still 1.5gb for a netbook is more than enough, if you use it as a netbook of course not as a laptop.

[erocker]

Originally Posted by HookeyStreet

I was going to put Vista 32Bit on when I realised that I couldnt put Win 7 64Bit on it But I think it would really need 2GB of RAM to run it smoothly (an upgrade which you obviously did before hand ) As I dont want to upgrade it yet I may just pop Win 7 32Bit on it, surely that would be an improvement over XP lol

But like most peeps are saying, they are pretty nice little systems for the net etc

I'm pretty much on a lesser machine at work (s754 2.2ghz 1gb DDR 400) and running 7 32bit very well with it. You don't have to have 2gb's, but it will probablly help out with things like videos.

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

If you've got the 64-bit version, you've got the 32bit version, you just need the disc which you can "find" online. The keys are completely interchangable.

oic Trouble is, my 64Bit doesnt have a 'key' either

[MN12BIRD]

I just replaced the hard drive on one of these Acer Aspire One netbooks. The 160GB HD failed in it and what a PITA that thing is. I don't know if they have changed this yet but on this one I had to tear the entire thing apart. I mean keyboard off to open the clamshell and take the motherboard completely out to get to the HD and RAM slot!! WTF! Who puts a RAM slot on the bottom of the motherboard but then no hatch to get to it?? The HD and RAM are right under the motherboard, touching the bottom of the clamshell. Two simple trap doors is all it would take. Heck at least one for the RAM!

But otherwise it was great fun. It only had 1GB of RAM on it IIRC but I put Ubuntu Netbook remix on it and it worked very well!

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by MN12BIRD

I just replaced the hard drive on one of these Acer Aspire One netbooks. The 160GB HD failed in it and what a PITA that thing is. I don't know if they have changed this yet but on this one I had to tear the entire thing apart. I mean keyboard off to open the clamshell and take the motherboard completely out to get to the HD and RAM slot!! WTF! Who puts a RAM slot on the bottom of the motherboard but then no hatch to get to it?? The HD and RAM are right under the motherboard, touching the bottom of the clamshell. Two simple trap doors is all it would take. Heck at least one for the RAM!

But otherwise it was great fun. It only had 1GB of RAM on it IIRC but I put Ubuntu Netbook remix on it and it worked very well!

Yeah theyve changed the design. This one has 3 trap doors underneath

[pantherx12]

Have to say every netbook I'ev used has made me not want to touch them again.

I think its mostly due to full size laptops only being slightly more money for so much more hardware.

I always recommend to people saving up a few more pence towards a full sizer : ]

Especially if bought on line you can get systems with graphics and huge hdds etc for as little as 320 if you look around.


Glad someone likes them though lol

[FreedomEclipse]

Originally Posted by erocker

I'm pretty much on a lesser machine at work (s754 2.2ghz 1gb DDR 400) and running 7 32bit very well with it. You don't have to have 2gb's, but it will probablly help out with things like videos.

Running windows 7 64bit on my backup rig which is a FX-55 2.6Ghz 939skt, 2Gb DDR400, X850XT PE (still an awesome card) the mobo is...ummmm, I think its a MSI Neo2 Platinum (Nforce3 ultra??)

since i gave my DC 2.66Ghz X2 3800+ & Asus A8N32 Deluxe to my dad

[HookeyStreet]

Originally Posted by pantherx12

Have to say every netbook I'ev used has made me not want to touch them again.

I think its mostly due to full size laptops only being slightly more money for so much more hardware.

I always recommend to people saving up a few more pence towards a full sizer : ]

Especially if bought on line you can get systems with graphics and huge hdds etc for as little as 320 if you look around.


Glad someone likes them though lol

I get what your saying, but Im still impressed with the little thing. I personally couldnt use one day in day out. But its ideal for my daughter as she is only 11 I think they are ideal for work/college use also