Netbook or 2nd hand laptop?

[Barney]

Last night my wife again indicated that she would like a laptop so that she wasn't relient on my work one to check her email. Agan I suggested that we could get one for around £200 (I'll increase the budget to £300 though, but let's keep that between ourselves for the moment ) and she seemed to think that maybe we should get one. Not one to let the opportunity go, I'm now seriously looking at something like the Samsung NC-10 or it's bigger brother the N120, but should I also consider any other netbooks or maybe a 2nd hand 13" laptop?

As with all things in the computer world, progress happens so quickly and I'm sure things have moved on since I last looked into this.

Just to add, I'll want to upload photos in Lightroom on an external drive and do basic manipulation in LR (with a Wacom tablet), surf the interweb and email. My wife will only want it for internet access. Portability is key, but so is usability.

Any thoguhts?

[GeoffR]

I find the screen on my smallest computer hard work some times (10.5") though the keyboard is perfectly usable. I prefer the larger screen (13") of my MacBook. So my advice would be get a larger screen model.

[Barney]

Thanks, maybe I should add that I have my desktop at home still so I'll only be using it for Lightroom on the road. My wife just wants something she can surf on downstairs, she can't be bothered going up two flights to the office.

[BigWill]

You could probably get a nice new basic laptop for "er indoors" for £300 (or even a very decent second-hand one for £200) and personally I'd be inclined to go that way for the wife's choice as I agree with GeoffR that squinting at the tiny screen on a netbook might prove a pain for the wife when surfing the net for any length of time and where ultimate portability isn't a priority for her?

BigWill

[Barney]

Yeah but will, the wife's needs are secondary to mine (cos I'll be paying) so portability is an issue, sorry I should have been clearer.

Basically, I want something to use when I'm away, say on holiday or in Edinburgh for the Fringe, and as a bonus my wife can surf the net on it. So, portability is an issue, but then I don't want to be cramping up trying to use something to small on the train or in a Starbucks for a few hours at a time.

[GeoffR]

Portability is not just a function of screen size. A bigger screen need not mean reduced portability if the weight is acceptable and it will fit your bag. I find that the MacBook fits snuggly in the bags I use so it doesn't move around. The Philips on the other hand fits less well and moves around coming into contact with what ever else is in the pocket with it. Ideally you would have a compartment just the right size for your computer. I have carried a computer with a 15" screen and that is most definitely not ideal for portability.

[Bettina]

I have a Lenovo s10e from dabs.com and I love it. It really works well - I had originally bought an Acer netbook in Tottenham Court Road but it just kept crashing. So it took it back two hours later.

The screen is very good, browsing the internet is without problem and it fits in your handbag - I wouldn't take anything else to sit at Starbucks or Costas. Battery is not too great - only 3 hours and sometimes the screen resolution needs to be changed for some programmes.

[BigWill]

"it fits in your handbag"....................there ya go Barney..............I think we've found the perfect solution for you!

BigWill

[Barney]

"it fits in your handbag"....................there ya go Barney..............I think we've found the perfect solution for you!

I don't know Will, I'd have to lose too much my lippies, make-up, tampons, etc

[ermintrude]

"it fits in your handbag"....................there ya go Barney..............I think we've found the perfect solution for you!

I don't know Will, I'd have to lose too much my lippies, make-up, tampons, etc

May I ask where you insert your tampons?

[Barney]

"it fits in your handbag"....................there ya go Barney..............I think we've found the perfect solution for you!

I don't know Will, I'd have to lose too much my lippies, make-up, tampons, etc

May I ask where you insert your tampons?

I the little pocket on the inside, just by where my purse fits.