Dell minimalist netbook or notebook or ?

If somebody told you that they wanted to get a netbook for highly portable word processing and web browsing (and low cost), what would you recommend? A netbook? A notebook? Or perhaps an iPad?

GK

 

Ha this thread reminds me of the Intel training I had a few months back.

It really depends on your budget (300, 700?)

I don't really recommend the iPad at all. It is IT unfriendly (won't do certain Outlook stuff properly, has issues with secured wireless networks).

A netbook vs notebook debate can go both ways. I've owned a netbook and it was the biggest piece of garbage of a computer ever. Even with 2 GB RAM, it was slow (ASUS 900HA Windows XP Home). Plus there is alot of compromise in a netbook. I would rather get a low cost notebook or like those 12-13" slim notebooks, like my Latitude 13 which I am very happy with.

 

Thanks! I'm looking for such first-hand experience and opinion.

GK

 

Several manufacturers make ~3lb 11.6" laptops that are almost as small and light as netbooks, but have much nicer features and just a little more expensive. The HP Pavilion dm1z gets recommended a lot on this forum. Dell's counterpart is the Inspiron M101z, although for some reason I don't see it mentioned much.

 

Just to add;

Avoid the new ASUS netbooks with the very thin AC adapter. They break ALL the time, and ASUS as I last checked was calling it physical damage and not covering it under warranty.

I don't own an iPad but I have an iTouch (basically smaller iPad). You have to get used to the virtual keyboard (I can't stand it), and you have to deal with no Flash, overall I don't think iPads can be geared towards any business related necessity.

For a super thin notebook from Dell, again as stated I love my Latitude 13, I've played with an E4200 and it is very nice, though pricey for the specs, but I guess you pay a premium for the SFF. It's a real shame the E4200 never got refreshed. I have also used the Dell Latitude XT2/XT and yes pricey but they are very nice as well.

 

Spoken like a faithful IT grunt.

Perhaps not a netbook or the iPad, but something similar is coming fast to connect us to our cloud.

Edit: Admittedly, although I'm not a typist, I'm not comfortable with the thought of no real keyboard.

GK

 

Here is an interesting device - netbook / pad convertible.

However, the limitation of almost all the current crop of smaller machines is the limited vertical pixels which makes working with documents less efficient. Are there any ex-Dell Outlet E4200s or E4300s around? These have 1280 x 800 displays The E4300 does have a weight penalty but is a potent machine. Perhaps my Toshiba R500 is what you need, but it isn't up for sale.

John

 

That Samsung unit is very appealing... may call for closer investigation.

GK

 

I would look for an old D410,D420,D430 type in reasonable shape.