Netbooks?

[CrAz3D]

My sister is looking for a new portable computer.  I suggested a netbook.  She doesnt do anything that is resource-intense, hence the netbook suggestion.  That said, I'm not sure how found of a small machine she will be.  I told her to go play with some at BestBuy.

Anyway, if she does buy a netbook, suggestions?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220941
That's my thought.  I understand eePCs to be good.

[dark_drake]

If she does get one, find one with a decent screen resolution. A lot of programs are difficult to run because they don't fit on the screen.

[Sidoh]

Yeah, screw netbooks. I think you're better off getting a 13" MBP. They're not much heavier than most netbooks, and it'll probably outlast any netbook you can buy. In the long run, it's probably cheaper.

[Falcon]

Yeah, screw netbooks. I think you're better off getting a 13" MBP. They're not much heavier than most netbooks, and it'll probably outlast any netbook you can buy. In the long run, it's probably cheaper.

Hell no don't get a Macbook...

[Sidoh]

I've had the same one for more than two years. With no upgrades and no hardware failures whatsoever, it deserves my recommendation. I've never had the same sort of luck with a PC laptop.

[Falcon]

2 years is really nothing. I've had my Gateway laptop for 2 years and still running strong, my mom has a Toshiba Satellite that is 4 years old and still works fine with no problems. Stop watching so much porn?

[iago]

I have a Toshiba netbook, and I love it for portability/traveling, but the screen/keyboard size make me crazy for day to day use. It works great, though!

[dark_drake]

I have a Toshiba netbook, and I love it for portability/traveling, but the screen/keyboard size make me crazy for day to day use. It works great, though!

I can't complain about my netbook for a typing some emails or surfing the web, but when I need to check something on Labview or in Aspen+, I want to kill myself. 

[Sidoh]

2 years is really nothing. I've had my Gateway laptop for 2 years and still running strong, my mom has a Toshiba Satellite that is 4 years old and still works fine with no problems. Stop watching so much porn?

I guess I have a Gateway tablet PC that's probably ~5 years old, but I had to install more RAM for it to be of any use to me, and the battery is pretty much useless (only lasts 30-50 minutes). It's currently in the other room serving my files.

What's your battery life like after two years? I still get 3-4 hours on my MBP with wireless, FileVault, etc.

It seriously pains me to use PCs these days. I think I still prefer Linux over OS X, but I just feel icky using a PC.

[Falcon]

My battery will usually last about 2 hours depending on what I'm doing, but most of the time it stays plugged in as I don't take it to class or anything.

[Rule]

For a desktop, I would still go for a PC, and install Linux.  For a portable computer, absolutely go for Mac.  Sometimes when you're just looking at technical specifications, they seem expensive compared to other laptops.  However, many of the most important features of a good laptop don't show up in these specifications.  A Macbook Pro has what most portable computers lack, and these things aren't on spec sheets.  It's durable, has a long battery life, it's light, has a nice screen, it's not noisy, and it doesn't overheat easily.  It would pain me to go back to using a PC laptop.