netbooks?

[kate_nepveu]

Last time I looked, it seemed like Samsung was making the best all-around machines, in terms of keyboard size, battery life, and weight. That still the case? And is Windows 7 an actual advance for netbooks, or should I stick with XP for operating system consistency?

Comments

[montoya.livejournal.com]

(I meant to include the link to the fairly positive Laptopmag review (http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/acer-aspire-1410.aspx?page=1). It's a bit weird in that they compare it to other ultraportables, most of which are $600+, rather than netbooks, but they do make netbook comparisons, too.)

[montoya.livejournal.com]

And they also have a review of the Samsung N140 (http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/samsung-n140.aspx), the replacement to the NC10 that you're probably thinking of.

It's the same price as the Acer, has the same battery life, but: Has a much slower processor (a single core Atom, literally less than half as fast), has Win7 Starter Edition (which really is pretty crippled), has a smaller lower-res screen, doesn't have an HDMI output, and is only a little bit smaller and is only 6 ounces lighter.

It's hard to imagine a scenario in which the Samsung netbook would be the better buy here.

[kate_nepveu]

Yesterday I saw a co-worker's N140 and I was astonished at how little the screen looks. Of course I have my work monitor in portrait mode, so I have a distinct preference here, but seriously.

[montoya.livejournal.com]

Physically little, or little in terms of resolution? Because I'm not sure how much physically bigger an 11" screen is going to be, but I think resolution-wise, the jump from 1024x600 to 1366x768 is a huge one.

(What do you think of Chad's 12" display on the ThinkPad? That's only 1024x768, I think, right? (Mine is 1440x1050, but I think he chose the lower-res, touch-friendly option.))

[kate_nepveu]

Just short, top-to-bottom. I didn't look closely at it.

[montoya.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay. Yeah, if that's your thing, modern computers must salt your cocoa. I hadn't thought of it that way, but even a 12" screen would be a lot shorter than my current 12" screen, due to the widescreen thing.

[kate_nepveu]

Yeah, I realize in the nature of portables there's not much to be done about it, but it was such a revelation when I turned my work screen into portrait mode, writing-wise.