Which netbook? Is it worth it?

[Markeh]

I'm deciding on a netbook for christmas.

It's got to be from this page: http://www.kays.com/electricals/computing/netbooks/e/b/4875/s/bestsellers,0.end?cm_re=Computers-_-Banner-_-Netbooks
I don't want to buy it from here either, but it's that or no netbook.

I use my current laptop, a HP dv6, for browsing the web via Chrome, Habbo, MSN, and listening to music via iTunes and Grooveshark. I also use it for iPlayer and tvcatchup.com. I would be keeping the dv6, as it's a powerhouse. This machine is intended to do all the things above, but on the go. It isn't for that much heavy work, and would be used for storing music, (my collection is about 25GB, if I import all my CDs using an external drive, it might be as much as 120GB)

I'm tempted by this one here, a HP Mini 210-2001sa:

http://www.kays.com/hp-mini-210-netbook---charcoal-grey/800606523.prd?browseToken=/q/hp+mini+210&prdToken=/p/prod5150858-sku7882414

Would this be suitable?
I'd be upping the RAM to 2GB, and installing 7 Ultimate 32-bit (I have a spare COA). I really like its looks, and the touchpad looks OK, and if turns out to be crap I'll buy a wireless mouse.

[matt$]

http://www.very.co.uk/e/q/netbook.end?cmtag=o&_requestid=235185

cheaper on there and its the same company that runs both websites so yeah.

[Markeh]

We get 10% off at Kays, so the difference is only about £25, and my parents are hard set on getting it from Kays.

I want to know whether the netbook is suitable, mainly

[matt$]

Well i was wanting to get one of those a while back and ive read quite a few reviews and stuff and from what ive heard once the 2gb is in it works quite well, its up to you though.

[Markeh]

I think I'm gonna go for it and ask my uncle to get me a 2GB upgrade.

[Markeh]

Best choice for an external ODD? Ebuyer links pls :)

[mb-group.net]

That has a low resolution screen so Habbo and video playback isn't going to be very good on there. I've found any flash content to be very slow and choppy on my netbook which has the same processor. You'd be better off spending the extra money and getting an 11" ultraportable laptop with a 1366x768 pixel resolution display if you want to play games and watch video. The extra inch and extra pixels will be VERY useful.

[Toasten]

I just got a netbook for Christmas. I don't know much about technology but I was advised to buy mine. It's not brilliant but it's not bad either. Just slightly slow when surfing the net but worth the buy for me!

[Jam]

Save an extra £70 or so and go get a laptop or a cheap desktop, they'll provide much more use and aren't stupidly underpowered for the money.

[Markeh]

I tried to get a 11.6" or 13" laptop. The answer was "why do you want a laptop? you've already got one", referring to my 15.6" dv6.
And desktops, I've got my wonderful sig rig. (ok i really do use OCN too much).

It's for internet pretty much.

I have a spare similar specced desktop (an old Socket 754 Sempron, 2GHz, 1GB RAM, 40GB HDD, on XP) and that runs videos fine... but that might be because its on XP.

The Mini 210 in the original post has been ordered.

[skynet.]

Hi,

Really i think you should just get a cheaper laptop, or maybe go for a smaller laptop, i had a netbook before and playing habbo and watching videos were ust annoying!, also the mice on netbooks dont tend to be the same as a laptop, due to the space restricition. Although netbooks tend to be cheaper and almost silent, i would strongly go against buying one.

Tom

[Recursion]

I use a netbook at work, perfect for carrying around and runs fine on Windows XP, will be upgrading it to Windows 7 when we get some RAM in.