Netbook with higher resolution screen

mrochester · 11 May 2010 at 10:43

Hi all

I'm considering my options between an iPad or a netbook. However, Im struggling to find a netbook with a vertical screen resolution higher than 600 pixels. There is a Sony netbook with 768, but it looks like it has been discontinued? The vertical resolution is really important to me to avoid masses of scrolling on web pages. Has anyone found a netbook with a decent screen res?

Thanks!

Michael

mrochester · 12 May 2010 at 06:37

Right, iPad ordered! I need something that is good at email, web and IM, and is comfortable to use when lounging around. My old laptop was never very comfortable to use as I tried to balance it on my knees while sitting on the settee.

mrochester · 12 May 2010 at 17:57

Aod said:
but an iTampon will be good at none of those things

It works the same way as the iPhone does, so it is good at those things :confused:

.

mrochester · 13 May 2010 at 06:37

Aod said:
Lets see, lousy at emailing and im'ing because it has no keyboard, it's uncomfortable as hell because you can't let it rest - you have to hold it up constantly, and you can't balance it on anything

honestly, have you thought this through for even a second?

It has an onscreen keyboard...

Have to hold a laptop or netbook constantly too, which means one hand is always out of action for typing and using the trackpad. With the iPad, even the hand that's holding it can still be used to control the device, much like with a phone. So 1 hand for a netbook/laptop vs 2 hands for an iPad means the iPad is more comfortable to use!

mrochester · 14 May 2010 at 07:24

Amp34 said:
A laptop normally sits on the lap, no need to hold it.

two hands then to type and use the touchpad.

That's fine if you're sitting on the sofa with your feet flat on the floor, but as I sit with my feet up partially tucked under me, there is a need to hold a laptop because it isn't on a flat surface. That leaves me with one hand for typing and using the trackpad. I figured since the iPad doesn't have to be level or held steady to be used, it would be better for this.

just you wait to feel the handcramps you're going to get banging away on a keyboard that's essentially a backlit piece of solid glass.

I manage with my iPhone already, and I'll be doing much the same amount of typing on the iPad I'd guess. It should be more comfortable given that it is much bigger.

mrochester · 14 May 2010 at 08:58

OspreyO said:
Thats hardly normal is it...

...and your point is...?

mrochester · 14 May 2010 at 10:11

thepedster said:
By the sounds of it you saw the ipad and wanted to justify it anyway you could? Fair enough, but just admit thats what you wanted in the first place!

I just checked the res of the ipad screen: 1024X768, 4:3 bit backwards isn't it?

Actually I didn't! I derided the iPad from the word go! However, after getting a new laptop (13" MBP) I realised that what I wanted was something more comfortable to use, and I felt the MBP just isn't worth £905 (it's being collected by TNT today to go back to Apple for a refund). I had a hard think about it and it then seemed apparent that the iPad might actually be the best tool for the job!

Re. The screen, because you can use it either way, means you can have both a 1024 or 768 vertical resolution, which is much higher than a netbook since you can't use them sideways. Less vertical scrolling, yay!

mrochester · 14 May 2010 at 10:57

OspreyO said:
If your original post was you need something for very light browsing/email while on the sofa. Then fair enough. But you didn't.

I have an iPod Touch and its great for checking mail looking up a website while on the sofa, having a coffee etc. The iPad will the same. Bigger screen would be great. But beyond very light tasks, a small 13" laptop, with extended battery, full keyboard, DVD is vastly better.

My brother in law is getting is dad a iPad as he does nothing heavy, just email (one finger typying) and browsing, and he has us plagued fixing his ancient PC. Be interesting to see how he gets on.

I do need something for light browsing/email while on the sofa. I've tried using my iPhone, but the screen is too small for that to be comfortable for the more extended use. My use is *only* browsing, email (receiving, never sending!) and light IM, and it must be a comfortable device when I'm sitting on the settee with my feet up.

I had considered that a netbook might be suitable for this, but it ultimately has the same pitfalls as a standard laptop in that it needs a flat surface for two handed use, or you have to hold on to it with one hand if it's not on a flat surface. The vast majority of netbooks also have the problem of having a very low vertical resolution, which means you end up having to get a much bigger device to get a decent resolution, and again, it needs to be comfortable to use when I'm lounging on the settee! This was the purpose of my original post, to see if anyone knew of a netbook (10" screen or so) with a vertical resolution higher than 600pixels, but other than a seemingly discontinued Sony, there is no option. As such, for the purposes of screen resolution, size and comfort, it looks like the iPad is the best idea. Hopefully it'll live up to that!

mrochester · 14 May 2010 at 21:39

MasterSystem said:
You're going to be disappointed with the iPad compared to a 13" MBP for actual functionality and not epeen.

My 2 cent.

Well the MBP actually had too much functionality for what I need... GarageBand, iPhoto, iMovie, all needlessly adding to the expense, and things I will simply never use. That's why I decided that £905 for a device that I simply use to browse, receive email and IM was just too much, and hence it has gone back. £429 for an iPad, which is good at those things, is far more palatable!

mrochester · 15 May 2010 at 18:00

In the interest of fairness, I have just bought a netbook! An HP Mini 210-1003SA to be precise, from John Lewis, reduced to £249. I can take this back within 28 days for a full refund if I want since the price is already reduced (rather than being subject to a 10% restocking fee for the full £300 price). The iPad will be arriving on the 28th May, so I can compare the two, and decide which one I want to keep.