Netbook Recommendation

bobtomay · bobtomay #1 (**permalink**)

02-01-2011, 08:49 AM

A friend is looking to buy a netbook for a friend's 11 yr old in a computerless household. They are getting set up with wifi access.

Any recommendations from any of you that are using these - or ones to stay away from if getting it somewhere like BB, Fry's or Walmart?

JohnCL · JohnCL #2 (**permalink**)

02-01-2011, 09:08 AM

Right now I have a Dell Mini 9 and love it. I have had a few netbooks and this is by far my favorite. Is is discontinued now, so the only option to buy is from the Dell outlet. It uses a PATA PCIx SSD drive has a 8.9" screen and can take up to 2gb RAM. Runs Win7 really well. The keys are kind of small, but for a kid that won't matter much.

I have also had a Mini 10z. It uses a traditional SATA spinning drive and has the 10" screen. Same on memory and the keyboard is a little easier to use. There are still variations of the 10" current with Dell.

All in all, we have had 4 Dell netbooks in the house and have never had issues with any of them.

Some of the Dell models only accept 1GB of RAM (a crime IMO), so make sure you get one that can at least accept 2GB.

chscag · chscag #3 (**permalink**)

02-01-2011, 05:03 PM

+1 for the Dell. They seem to hold up well and can be upgraded with more memory (some models). The other choice that I would recommend (at a slightly higher price) is the Toshiba.

wavinwayne · wavinwayne #4 (**permalink**)

02-01-2011, 05:15 PM

I have two Acer Aspire One netbooks. One belongs to me, the other to my 9 year old daughter. Mine (which runs Ubuntu) has been flawless since late 2009. My daughter's computer's screen no longer works, due to her dropping it more than once. My daughter's netbook will work if connected to an external monitor. With care, the Acers seem to be decent.

I've also seen good reviews of Asus and Dell netbooks, FWIW.

bobtomay #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,828 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	02-01-2011, 08:49 AM A friend is looking to buy a netbook for a friend's 11 yr old in a computerless household. They are getting set up with wifi access. Any recommendations from any of you that are using these - or ones to stay away from if getting it somewhere like BB, Fry's or Walmart? I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

JohnCL #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 29, 2009 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,018 Mac Specs: -->	02-01-2011, 09:08 AM Right now I have a Dell Mini 9 and love it. I have had a few netbooks and this is by far my favorite. Is is discontinued now, so the only option to buy is from the Dell outlet. It uses a PATA PCIx SSD drive has a 8.9" screen and can take up to 2gb RAM. Runs Win7 really well. The keys are kind of small, but for a kid that won't matter much. I have also had a Mini 10z. It uses a traditional SATA spinning drive and has the 10" screen. Same on memory and the keyboard is a little easier to use. There are still variations of the 10" current with Dell. All in all, we have had 4 Dell netbooks in the house and have never had issues with any of them. Some of the Dell models only accept 1GB of RAM (a crime IMO), so make sure you get one that can at least accept 2GB. 15" 2.4GHz i5 256gb SSD MacBook Pro \| Dual Drive 2.3GHz i5 Mac mini w/SSD \| 11" 1.7GHz i5 64gb MacBook Air \| Dual 2.0GHz PowerMac G5 \| 24" ACD \| 16GB Verizon iPhone 5 \| iPad 32GB Verizon LTE \| iPad mini 16GB \| TV1 \| TV3
	QUOTE Thanks

wavinwayne #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 01, 2010 Location: North AL Posts: 162 Mac Specs: Late '09 Macbook Pro 13"	02-01-2011, 05:15 PM I have two Acer Aspire One netbooks. One belongs to me, the other to my 9 year old daughter. Mine (which runs Ubuntu) has been flawless since late 2009. My daughter's computer's screen no longer works, due to her dropping it more than once. My daughter's netbook will work if connected to an external monitor. With care, the Acers seem to be decent. I've also seen good reviews of Asus and Dell netbooks, FWIW. Don't believe anything I tell you, unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your satisfaction. This is known as "doing your homework."
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
OS X in Asus Eee PC netbook?	AlienBZ	OS X - Operating System	1	09-11-2010 09:19 AM
Anyone know of a windows atom netbook I can get with 1280x800 that's affordable?	sabian	Schweb's Lounge	5	11-06-2009 06:32 PM

Netbook Recommendation

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)