Laptop/netbook/in-between Purchase Advice Please...

[williamj1]

Ok - so I need some advice about what computer to buy. I'm a little confused about all this stuff, but know the basics.

• I'm looking to buy a laptop / netbook / something in-between.
• Maximum budget of

 

[lunatic59]

I can't comment on any of those models except the Acer Timeline, since I have one. The 4810T came in two models, the one listed here with the single core processor and the one I have with the slightly higher spec'ed dual core SU9400 processor. Personally I am very happy with it. It is a fully functioning laptop and pretty responsive. The performance on the 3200 will be less, but for your needs it should be fine. What I like about it is it is light, thin and lives up to its claims of 8 hour battery life.

 

[williamj1]

I can't comment on any of those models except the Acer Timeline, since I have one. The 4810T came in two models, the one listed here with the single core processor and the one I have with the slightly higher spec'ed dual core SU9400 processor. Personally I am very happy with it. It is a fully functioning laptop and pretty responsive. The performance on the 3200 will be less, but for your needs it should be fine. What I like about it is it is light, thin and lives up to its claims of 8 hour battery life.

Thanks.
But surely seeing as this is only a 1.4ghz single core, I would be better of with the dm1 as its 1.3ghz dual core?

 

[lunatic59]

Thanks.
But surely seeing as this is only a 1.4ghz single core, I would be better of with the dm1 as its 1.3ghz dual core?

I think you might find this interesting:

Intel Atom vs. SU2300 vs. SU3500 ULV Processors | Netbook Computers

What you trade off with the dual core is power consumption. I've had HP laptops and they tend to be optimistic with battery estimates. So, if they say "up to 5 hours" you can pretty much count on 3 in real world use. I can attest to the longer battery life of the Acer ... and mine is the dual core SU9200.

Some of the other considerations would be that the DM1 has an 11" screen where the Aspire has a 14" screen, but (and this would be the killer for me) the Aspire comes with Vista, where the HP has Windows 7. Vista wasn't really as bad as the reviews made it out to be, but 7 is that much better. Plus the HP has a year warranty where the Aspire (reboxed) does not.

 

[williamj1]

I think you might find this interesting:

Intel Atom vs. SU2300 vs. SU3500 ULV Processors | Netbook Computers

What you trade off with the dual core is power consumption. I've had HP laptops and they tend to be optimistic with battery estimates. So, if they say "up to 5 hours" you can pretty much count on 3 in real world use. I can attest to the longer battery life of the Acer ... and mine is the dual core SU9200.

Some of the other considerations would be that the DM1 has an 11" screen where the Aspire has a 14" screen, but (and this would be the killer for me) the Aspire comes with Vista, where the HP has Windows 7. Vista wasn't really as bad as the reviews made it out to be, but 7 is that much better. Plus the HP has a year warranty where the Aspire (reboxed) does not.

Thanks. Very helpful & informative guide. However, battery & screen are pretty irrelevant to me. Even when using it in mobile places, all the trains I use and cafes etc all have power sockets. And i'd rarely use for more than 2 hours out and about anyway. Screen wise, I'm fine with 11.6". In many ways, I think the 14" would be a little pointless for me. I've got a pretty decent desktop (3.4 ghz, dual core, etc etc) + an htc desire. So ultimately this is just for doing stuff on the go that my desire can't - like word processing. If used at home, i'd probably hook it up to a monitor via hdmi anyway. Vista is kinda a killer for me too.

So now that i've ruled out netbooks, and the acer, all that's left is to decide whether the 1.2 ghz dual core in the hp, is worth

 

[darkendandroid23]

Never go for an atom stay away from one of those! Go for a Su7300 atleast!

 

[nRRe]

look into 'upgrades' for a laptop.

i spent $300US on a laptop, than spent $25US on Ebay for a better processor. went from a 1.6ghz single core to a 1.8ghz dual core. night and day difference. and to get that upgrade WITH the laptop, would of cost me close to $120.

 

[Martimus]

Sadly I've got to agree with others about staying away from the ATOM processor. It was designed as a cheap alternative. It works but is comparatively slow.

At my house I've got a HP DM3 and use it regularly for all of the things that you describe. My DM3 has a U4100 ultra low voltage processor in it which keeps up nicely with most everything I throw at it.

Personally I'd lean towards the DM3 on your list before the DM1... but that's just me!