I am looking for a netbook with 1GB RAM, minimum 16GB HDD and running XP.

The Acer Aspire One and Advent 4211 have been recommended. Any advice on which is the better machine?

Equally any other machines with similar spec but less than £275 would be appreciated. Would prefer new or reconditioned to used.

Many thanks.

There are already threads about netbooks - have a search in Computer & Tech Chat...

Haven't used either of those machines myself as I have an Asus Eeepc 1000H and a Samsung NC10. The NC10 is a little over your budget but is worth considering as it's a quality machine and has received some excellent reviews, http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2008/11/17/Samsung-NC10---10-2in-Netbook/p1.

Hope this helps.

I recommend the Samsung NC10.

Its long battery life is well worth paying a little extra for.

I know the memory isn't 1GB but they are selling Acer Aspire notebooks in Asda for £150. It doesn't have XP on it but it can be installed (as can Windows 7 beta). There are more details on the following link

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/318205/acer-aspire-one-aoa150-ab-netbook-w

Having seen and used both the Asus and the Samsung, the Samsung is definately my preference.

Samsung just got the best review in some computer mag and the chap next to me has just bought one. It turned up today and looks really good.

Everyone is raving about the Samsung, and with good reason. They've produced the best netbook to date.

I bought the Acer Apsire One from ASDA .. they are doin them for £150 ..

OK it only has 512kb memory which is built onboard but you can add a 1gb stick .. so i ordered one straight from Crucial costing £10.34 inc postage

and is also come with Linux on it but .. i bought a brand new sealed copy of XP Pro from a forumer for £25 ..

at this moment in time its with another forum member who has now added the memory because its a complete strip down to get to it .. and then he is goin to put the XP on it for me ...

So for less than £200 i will have a Acer Aspire One with 1.5gb ram .. 120gb hdd and Windows XP on ... bargain .. :thumbsup:

Col ..

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

I did consider buying a cheaper model and adding to it but was worried about messing it up (or whoever did it for me messing it up) and also invalidating the warranty.

The Samsung was my other choice. Generally it had excellent reviews so I was prepared to go a bit higher. But several people have complained about the keyboard. Has anyone with the Samsung experienced any keyboard problems?

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

I did consider buying a cheaper model and adding to it but was worried about messing it up (or whoever did it for me messing it up) and also invalidating the warranty.

The Samsung was my other choice. Generally it had excellent reviews so I was prepared to go a bit higher. But several people have complained about the keyboard. Has anyone with the Samsung experienced any keyboard problems?

The keyboard is fine. I have not seen any complaints about the keyboard. In fact, I think its probably bigger than most because of the small trackpad. Some people find the trackpad a little small (in fact, its the only real complaint about the Samsung) but I have found it to be easy to use (in any case, I use a wireless mouse).

Thanks LordChaverly - good to know. Will now do a quick price check on wireless mice...

This is the wireless mouse to buy, recommended by both me and LordC :thumbsup:

Not the cheapest, but well worth the price.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=4460779&postcount=52

My OH is starting at Uni this year and she wants me to buy her a laptop, budget around the £300 mark. I've just been reading the comments on notebooks and I'm now thinking of ordering her the NC10. She'll only want it for the internet and word processing. I'm just a little hesitant regarding screen and keyboard size. I use a 17" at the mo so anything around the 10" seems too small.

Do users think they're sufficient, especially compared to, say, their desktop?

(Also, I can get the NC10 for £295 from Dixons. Anyone come across any better deals?)

cheers

My OH is starting at Uni this year and she wants me to buy her a laptop, budget around the £300 mark. I've just been reading the comments on notebooks and I'm now thinking of ordering her the NC10. She'll only want it for the internet and word processing. I'm just a little hesitant regarding screen and keyboard size. I use a 17" at the mo so anything around the 10" seems too small.

Do users think they're sufficient, especially compared to, say, their desktop?

(Also, I can get the NC10 for £295 from Dixons. Anyone come across any better deals?)

cheers

For latest prices, check out this site, which is a mine of information on all things related to the NC10

http://www.sammynetbook.com/plugins/forum/forum_viewforum.php?17

With regard to your other question, personally I wouldn't recommend a netbook as a main computer (I prefer desktops), although I know an appreciable number of people find it adequate for their needs. A netbook really comes into its own if the user travels a lot (e.g. to uni and back or through airports etc). Personally, I think it is near perfect for students, because they have access to desktops at uni and can use their netbooks for all other purposes.

This is the wireless mouse to buy, recommended by both me and LordC :thumbsup:

Not the cheapest, but well worth the price.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=4460779&postcount=52

I second this mouse .. i bought one of these for my Acer Aspire One .. i got it from a guy in Barnsley who is selling them on ebay for £19.99 ..

LINK TO SELLER (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260346469034&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=016)

Col ..

She'll only want it for the internet and word processing. I'm just a little hesitant regarding screen and keyboard size. I use a 17" at the mo so anything around the 10" seems too small.

A 17" lappie is likely going to clock in at 8 lbs or more. Defeats the purpose IMHO ;)

10" should be fine for the stated purpose. Any bigger and you're into 'real laptops', no point going for a netbook.

I make do with 7", which I think is still fine for the exact same purpose (web/word). I use a 19" WS TFT all other times.

You could do worse than take her to PC World or Currys for a looksee of a 'real live one', and let her make her mind up about the keyboard/screen real estate :)

PS - I'd fully second LordC on his point about not having/using a netbook as a main PC. Think of it as a 'satellite' adjunct to your/the house's main PC.

Hi,

I'm not sure what you need the lappie for, but if you are looking for portability then go for a 10" screen, but don't use it as a replacement for a desktop pc.

My desktop decided to give up the ghost on me about a month ago :mad:, luckily I have a laptop I can use, but am saving up to buy myself a new pc.

Thanks for replies - (sorry for thread hijack Kelly) Had a look at the NC10 on youtube and it's definately a "I want one" moment. Will "gently" persuade OH that this is the option SHE wants.

cheers