The ASUS netbooks, worth it?

My has one of these, and they look quite nice.

I am 15 years old, I have a powerful desktop that I built. I've always wanted something that i can use as a mobile computer cuz i do a lot of presentations using my computer (Powerpoint, movies etc).

I am also starting to DJ and i use a computer based setup.

Netbooks are cheap. The one i'm looking is $350.

Is it worth it for me? Or should i save for a real laptop? I could get this pretty soon, whereas i couldn't get a regular for probly 2 years.

Is a netbook powerful enough for my needs?

 

Well, if you plan on using a computer for DJing, you may want to just wait and save up for a fully functional notebook. As for you saying that it would take a couple of years to save up for a regular notebook, there are plenty of budget notebooks out there that are perfectly capable. The only way I could see it taking two years for getting a new notebook is if you were getting some uber notebook that has fans galore and is more powerful than most desktops.

 

Well, I'm only 15 and i dont think i could spend $800 or so bucks on something unless i had $800 more in my bank account. A netbook would really be cheap on teh pocket.

Any reason why i should geta full notebook for DJing?

 

for DJing? definitely not. for presentations? probably yes (assuming you don't do anything involving HD video or similar).

EDIT: about the DJing thing: first of all, screen size. when you're working the turntables, i doubt you will constantly want to bend down and squint at a 9" screen. moving on, HDD size. gotta save those tracks somewhere. finally, the ability to easily use an external sound card.

oh, and for 800$, you can get a decent machine, assuming you're OK with an integrated GPU (which is all you'll need for DJing).

 

Yeah man the Atom CPU is about as bottlenecked as you can get for audio processing. If you want to do multitracking and sampling I certainly don't recommend it. I am on my ASUS N10J right now but I use it for precisely this -- browsing forums and such

 

Hmm ok.

Well, HDD space isn't a problem. I'll carry everything on an external. But yeah, i can see everything else being a problem.

I may as well use my dad's and my mom's laptops (she has a full sized lenovo) until i get my own laptop. I'm using hers for DJing atm... it's decent.

 

Yeah... I hate to say it (I am in an ASUS forum right now) but a lot of people prefer the backlit keyboard of the macbook pro for obvious reasons on stage/set

 

Yeah, too bad i don't have 2k
my dad has a MBP too, it's nice!

 

True LOL... but they can be cheap used, no need for the latest and greatest. Also CoreAudio (audio subsystem in mac os x) is unparalleled if you are really serious about audio. I'm not just spouting crap either I'm certified by digidesign and have experience with audio on all platforms.

 

i'm a sound tech too, so i know what you're saying isn't crap. I want to get the M-Audio Torque system, so then the sound will be sent via USB to the midi control then to the mixer.

 

Ya it's just a little lame of me to be talking like a mac fanboi in an asus forum But good luck with your music!

 

Thanks man...
I just got a $300 contract for a 4hour evening gig . Good money for a starter DJ like me, i'm getting gigs cuz i'm so cheap

 

LOL that's good money bro, more than I made repairing computers when I was 15!! And you get to jam out... keep it up!!

 

Ok, if you are here in the States, go to Wal-Mart. You will see notebooks for as low as $400 around this time of year. There is also an eMachines laptop for sale at Best Buy now for under $400 ($379.95 if I remember correctly). It certainly isn't no powerhouse, but it should get the job done. Also, there is Craigslist.

 

It depends on what kind of job it is... OP is doing audio and DJ stuff.. if you're just sending some stereo tracks out with some effects and some random samples with a trigger or something you'll be fine with anything, relatively speaking. But doing a live set with something like ableton live with on the fly sampling it is going to be a nightmare. All those bargain laptops are the most CPU constrained which is bad news for audio processing.

 

The EEE is a great machine, but for intensive purposes, not the best pick. There are a couple other laptops with backlit keyboards, Dell, Apple, etc. I would say that is an important option for your position, as an external light may be annoing. My advice, if you are going to use it for a professional business medium, try saving up. Use the laptops you have available till you have enough for something with a little more bang. Apple is great but expensive. Lenovo has an above light that is not the best. Consider a Dell Studio with a coupon. Good luck.

 

There's a dell with a backlit keyboard? I knew that there was an HP military grade and a panasonic toughbook, do you know the model # of the dell?

edit: ok.. It's the E series... they have a youtube vid showing it. The HP option is called NiteVue for their rugged notebooks, the panasonic toughbooks have a backlight option, and the sager np5793 is backlit too.

 

Dam, the sager is backlit. And I thought it couldn't get better

 

I never did a DJ gig but even on pricey laptops I think the screens are junk and they are hard to upgrade. I would never put a lot of money into a laptop (and almost 20% of them end up needing repairs).

Personally I like netbooks just because they are mobile and cheap. You want to show people photos on a lappy its a pain to pass around - not the netbook. Laptops are too bulky to carry around and I dont like little hand held things where I have to use a toothpick on keys.

If you have to have a lappy you can get one cheap. Half decent ones been on sale for 500/550 all week (even with Intel Core Duos). You dont need a $1200 lappy because you have the good computer at home for games and stuff.

If you need something mostly for work as DJ then build something mobile yourself. I could buy a lan box or home theater case and build it up with an Intel dual core @ 2.6 and a 17" LCD for $350 - 400 complete just from shopping at Newegg. That would blow away most lappies and be very upgradable. If you added $50 you could have the lanbox from Thermaltake with the handle, window and blue LCD lights. Add a backlit keyboard for $40 and the whole system is sick and cost $500.

 

may you burn in ASUS-hell! J/k

 

LOL!! Indeed... indeed... I must repent at the G50V altar lol

**confession**

I miss my powerbook sometimes, does that make me lame?