Netbook vs laptop

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:04 pm

I'm trying to decide if I want to get a netbook or laptop in the upcoming months.

Majority of use will be for browsing internet and basic media playing in various locations (so not too heavy and decent battery life). Heavy gaming will be done on a desktop. Initially, I was thinking I'd like to do light gaming on the laptop/netbook. A netbook with a dedicated video card is slightly cheaper than a cheap 15" laptop (with a dual core / cheap video card).

I guess the big decision for me is if I want to do any gaming on a laptop. If I choose not too, a cheap netbook makes sense.

What do you all recommend?

David · Post by **David** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:20 pm

What is more important, lightweight or gaming.

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:30 pm

As long as they are 3-5lbs. From my initial search, comparing two models, the eight difference was ~2lbs which for me, is insignificant. Currently, I'm lugging around a 17" XPS laptop so everything feels feather light in comparison!

I'm more or less leaning on the netbook side, but I've always hated integrated graphics. Which led me to find a netbook with a dedicated card... but the price was similar to a standard laptop.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:00 pm

http://www.cloudave.com/link/netbook-or ... about-size

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index ... forumid=20

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/in ... 307AA3EAmX

It seems like laptop, although I have no experience to give first hand.

Now, where have you been dude?...

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:12 pm

Hey Ken, thanks for the links, I'll give them a nice read.

I've been around

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:05 am

ssjDoh wrote:Hey Ken, thanks for the links, I'll give them a nice read.

I've been around

dude where have you been!!!

get a regular laptop. It will last longer.

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:32 am

Hey Nightowl, been awhile

I was leaning towards a netbook again. Cost is a big factor as I'll be building a new desktop (which will be an expensive build) at the same time. Currently, I have a laptop where I find that 90% of the time it's in portable use, I'm just on the internet or playing media files. When I play games on it, I bring it to my desk and connect my keyboard / mouse.

Just noticed all the members in this thread are all the ones I remember from back in the day

This will be happening in May / June period, so I have plenty of time to think it over still.

I'll cya guys in General time to time

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:53 am

Don't forget performance. Netbooks often cap at a gig of RAM, and while the Atom processors are decent..they're no balls of fire.

"Cute and portable" is the netbook, does the basic tasks for you.

Also think about the keyboard size, as well as the screen resolution limits of a netbook.

Personally I'd have a hard time getting below a 12" screen. A 14.1" screen is my sweetspot for portability.

Post by **Philip** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:42 pm

I use a 13.3" / 4 lbs. Sony Vaio, I like the portability & performance. I was getting tired of lugging a 15+" 7 pounder around.

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:52 pm

ssjDoh wrote:Hey Nightowl, been awhile

I was leaning towards a netbook again. Cost is a big factor as I'll be building a new desktop (which will be an expensive build) at the same time. Currently, I have a laptop where I find that 90% of the time it's in portable use, I'm just on the internet or playing media files. When I play games on it, I bring it to my desk and connect my keyboard / mouse.

Just noticed all the members in this thread are all the ones I remember from back in the day

This will be happening in May / June period, so I have plenty of time to think it over still.

I'll cya guys in General time to time

you should do what i did, get a off lease IBM lenovo series. I managed to pick up a IBM T40 with 1.5 gig moble/1 gig of ram 32 meg ATI Radion 7500/40 gig HD. They are solid laptops and will last a while. Most computer stores sell them for the same price as a netbook (400cdn).

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:00 pm

I was looking at those smaller 12-13" laptops but from what I could find, they were all over $1000. Note, I'm shopping in Canada. Ideally, I only want to spend $500. My desktop budget is $2500 however.

I really hate lugging my 17" around!

I tested a 10" netbook @ Best Buy and went to a few sites I visit and the screen size was fine. Keyboard was a tad tight, but ok for limited use. As for power, as long as it can run firefox with multiple tabs, play MP3s, and IM (at the same time) I'm happy.

Thanks for all your input! I'll keep my eyes open for cheaper "small" laptops.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:05 pm

nightowl wrote:you should do what i did, get a off lease IBM lenovo series. I managed to pick up a IBM T40 with 1.5 gig moble/1 gig of ram 32 meg ATI Radion 7500/40 gig HD. They are solid laptops and will last a while. Most computer stores sell them for the same price as a netbook (400cdn).

That's what I've done for the past several laptops....current laptop is a T61P, with a 256 meg ATI Fire GL, Core 2 Duo, 14.1" screen. Approx 5 pounds..but very portable. I snagged it for 680 bucks I think, and it was barely 9 months old, and almost 2,000 when new.

It came with 2 gigs of RAM, I upgraded to 4 gigs, put in a new larger 7,200rpm hard drive...she flies.

ss-doh...check out IBMs "X" model laptops, their ultra portable 12" screen models. What's nice about IBMs 12" models...a full width keyboard.

2.something pounds, 5-7 hours of runtime depending on the model. Can stuff them with 4 gigs of RAM and the core 2 duo models fly. Can pick them up cheap too at IBM factory outlets.

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:59 pm

check this site out:

http://www.ottawalaptops.com/

you might be able to get the same deal in Toronto at some computer store.

ssjDoh · Post by **ssjDoh** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:53 pm

Those Lenovo's do look really nice

If I can find one for a bit less, I'll definately pick one up!!

Thx for the link NightOwl, I'll check it regularly to see if something catches my eyes.

I'm in London, ON btw, and we have terrible stores here locally. I was looking on newegg.ca. If you know of any other Canadian online retailers, feel free to post them!

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:37 pm

there is:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca

and this is a list of all the computer stores in ottawa:

http://www.monitor.ca/marketplace/

happyday999 · Post by **happyday999** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:03 am

I am not a heavy gamer, I'd prefer light ones.