Mini Laptop's

[Karl Kennedy]

Anyone got one of these? Thinking of buying one but would like any helps,hints, tips

I would be using it primarily for Microsoft office, but also a bit of internet, watching dvds. I was looking at a Dell one on their site and liked the fact you can get coloured lids, I liked the look of the blue one.

My sister is looking one too so anywhere you know or sites that do deals for two would be welcome.

Thanks

[Aerlik]

i'm using one to do this.  It's a Lenovo with XP 160G HDD and 1G RAM.  Very convenient but the only negative point I have is the design of the keyboard.  I can touch type and there are issues with the shift keys.  Also, if you have hands like a brickie, then touch-typing can be a big issue.

[Eoghan Mag]

I got a notebook at Christmas. Seriously lighter than an ordinary laptop. Much less battery power. Great on a train. You might need a portable dvd rewriter to go with it or just rely on a good USB key. I wouldn't touch a Dell with a 40 foot pole they are over-rated. Get a portable 1TB hard drive and you don't need to worry too much about space on the notebook. 

[AbbeySider]

The MSI Wind from Argos is a little weapon of a yoke, and its upgradable to 2GB without breaking the warranty.

[viiv]

Got a Dell Mini from Vodafone, quite handy on the road when I need the net. (9inch screen)

[thewobbler]

I can't recommend the Samsung NC10 enough. I don't know how much things have moved on since I bought it a year ago, but the battery life and keyboard size swung it for me then.

[Bensars]

I can't recommend the Samsung NC10 enough. I don't know how much things have moved on since I bought it a year ago, but the battery life and keyboard size swung it for me then.

+1.   7 hour battery life too.

[down6061689194]

Ipad 3g will get some of this market. Surely worth a look at.

[Denn Forever]

I use a Samsung N130 and its only 1.5 kg, full size keyboard (I think but no being a touch typist what do I know?).  5 hour battery life.

The only down side is when playing mp3 with the power lead attached there is an annoying stutter during a song.

That said with memory sticks and downloads you don't miss not having a disc.

Ipad 3g will get some of this market. Surely worth a look at.

Think they are hideous looking and am always reminded of Dom Jolly and the mobile phone HELLO HELLO sketch.

[Karl Kennedy]

Thanks for your help. I forgot to say I would like to spend £200 or less if possible but would stretch to £250 max.

Do all mini laptops not have a cd drive?

If some of these mini's have a full keyboard are they not technically the same size as a ordinary laptop then?

[Denn Forever]

I got my Samsung from these guys for 320 euro.  Don't know what that converts to in sterling.  There are cheaper ones but it was my brother/computer guru who speced it out.

http://www.elara.ie/

http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1898640

[thewobbler]

Netbooks don't have CD drives. The whole thing about them is cutting down excess weight and options to increase mobility and battery life.  If you find that you watch a lot of DVDs on your laptop, then they probably aren't for you. They aren't great for cutting edge games either, as the processor just isn't as quick as a conventional laptop (which in turn gets shat upon by a proper desktop).

If you do a lot of typing, I'd avoid the 9" netbooks. Yes they're lovely and small, but it's very difficult to re-adjust to such small keys. Samsung and Acer's 10" version have almost full-size. The layout is a bit different to conventional laptop keyboards, which takes a bit of adjusting, but the main a-z, 1-0 keys are nigh-on identical. 


iPads will be the future in this genre, but it might be the 3rd or 4th generation of them before they can actually be used to browse the web properly (with Flash), and the keyboard becomes advanced enough to write office documents without hating the thought of it.

[Denn Forever]

From thewobbler

They aren't great for cutting edge games either, as the processor just isn't as quick as a conventional laptop

Also applies if you are streaming live TV or sport.

[Orior]

Another product from Israel

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7H0K1k54t6A

[ONeill]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJT-FtlDZD4