Cheap Netbook for College?

DefiantAsh · 19 Aug 2010 at 13:57

I am looking to buy a small, but reasonable Netbook for my work at college, it would have to cope with standard internet browsing, like research, mainly textual research.

I've looked at the Acer Aspire One 531h that OcUK have for £159.99 (inc vat) and then the Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 for i think £184.99 (inc vat) but i was wondering which would be best as i would use it near enough every day at college for browsing the web, and using it to create presentations and typing up essays in Microsoft Word.

I have around £200 to spend on a netbook, but i have only seen these 2 as my main options, anyone else have an ideas?

richb93 · 11 Sep 2010 at 22:10

Most netbooks have roughly the same specs so what's really best to look for is one with a decent keyboard and good battery life, especially when you will be using it at college. Both models you have mentioned sound good; I can't speak for the Dell but I have used an Aspire One and it's a lovely machine.

DefiantAsh · 12 Sep 2010 at 10:09

richb93 said:
Most netbooks have roughly the same specs so what's really best to look for is one with a decent keyboard and good battery life, especially when you will be using it at college. Both models you have mentioned sound good; I can't speak for the Dell but I have used an Aspire One and it's a lovely machine.

Yes, ive looked at the Dell for a while, excellent reviews and comments about it, but i've seen the Asus Eee PC 1001p and for £200, its got the same specs, looks really nice, excellent reviews again, and is a lot easier to upgrade to 2gb ram, unlike the dell, probably waiting a few months till purchase as im spending money on other things.

PermaBanned · 12 Sep 2010 at 13:12

The 1001p is a great netbook, i'd recommend it. While the hardware in most netbooks is much the same it's the little changes that make all the difference, like ones with the new NM10 chipset which is the difference between four hours battery life and eight.

Besides, the whole Eee range is great with Linux, which i hope you would be putting on it...

lemonade · 12 Sep 2010 at 14:43

+1 for asus 1001p, probably one of the best value netbook out there.

DefiantAsh · 12 Sep 2010 at 17:42

Superewza said:
The 1001p is a great netbook, i'd recommend it. While the hardware in most netbooks is much the same it's the little changes that make all the difference, like ones with the new NM10 chipset which is the difference between four hours battery life and eight.

Besides, the whole Eee range is great with Linux, which i hope you would be putting on it...

nop, it comes with windows xp hp or maybe window 7 starter, but it only comes with a 3-cell battery from this certain place, however the dell 1012 comes with standard 6-cell. The battery life shouldnt be a problem, there are plug sockets everywhere at college so the battery life sohuld be an issue, and where as at home, i would only be taking it down stairs, away from plugs so i can use it whilst watching telly, but besides that it would be plugged into the mains when getting used.

The reviews seem outstanding for the 1001p, and the design is flawless (to me) and it does look very nice and tidy and watching a review today, the keyboard is one of the biggest in the asus eee pc range for a 10.1" according to the bloke, but it really does look like a nice bit of kit, and for £200, its a bargain

And again, dont think ill be running linux, as i will be upgrading to 2gb ram, and leaving on xp hp/w7 starter just incase of any file problems as my college uses xp, and i use w7 so.

Cheers for replies

PermaBanned · 12 Sep 2010 at 23:24

I really suggest getting a 6 cell version, i can find it from a reputable competitor for just under £200, just use Google Shopping and it's like the first one.

Comes with WinXP Home, which while it's a decent OS for some work it's almost 7 years old, use it for college work but you're really going to want to dual boot for everything else, be it UNR/KNR, Meego, Jolicloud, Mint... whatever. If for no reason other than security...

DefiantAsh · 16 Sep 2010 at 22:58

Superewza said:
I really suggest getting a 6 cell version, i can find it from a reputable competitor for just under £200, just use Google Shopping and it's like the first one.

Comes with WinXP Home, which while it's a decent OS for some work it's almost 7 years old, use it for college work but you're really going to want to dual boot for everything else, be it UNR/KNR, Meego, Jolicloud, Mint... whatever. If for no reason other than security...

dual boot? sorry, dont really understand what your getting at :|

EDIT: found a asus 1001p on the same website as before, with 6 cell, xp home and for £220

will look for your deal though, cheers