Hi guys I need help finding a small netbook or laptop under CAD $500 to do some school work on the train. Looking for something which very very light and something small, not too small that I can’t even type, you get the idea.
I heard that there is no MS office on such small computers, but I do need at least MS office to write essays and stuff and probably MS excel as well, but definitely some kind of word processing software to write essays which I can transfer to my USB later on.
Is there anything out there that falls under my criteria. I am not looking for anything luxarious…I don’t mind getting something from used store but I don’t know which brand or what to get. Thanks
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Just bought the Samsung NC10 for I think £320 and its great. Very lightweight (like carrying a small book), great bright display and sound. Only thing is the trackpad is on the small side.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Thanks Lemon.....what software does it comes with??
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Software...erm it didnt come with microsoft office as is the case with most PCs or laptops. I have bought microsoft office separatly though and installed it on the netbook and is worrking fine. The operating system is microsoft XP.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
oh so MS office works fine on it? Have you tries using words and saving documents etc?
I already have a good Dell laptop at home and looking for something that I can easily caryy with me which would be book weight light.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Yes Microsoft office works fine and saving documents is no problem. I also a Dell laptop for home use and found it quite bulky in my bag. This is very light weight, but keep in mind netbooks tend to be low specand it might seem obvious but they have no optical drives for your CD or DVD (i bought an external one)
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Thanks lemon. Ya I only need this to do my assignments stuff so I will be using USB to save documents.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
get one of those mini laptops, for under 300,-
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
which ones Gizzy?
I need names or models.....
Hi guys I need help finding a small netbook or laptop under CAD $500 to do some school work on the train. Looking for something which very very light and something small, not too small that I can't even type, you get the idea. I heard that there is no MS office on such small computers, but I do need at least MS office to write essays and stuff and probably MS excel as well, but definitely some kind of word processing software to write essays which I can transfer to my USB later on. Is there anything out there that falls under my criteria. I am not looking for anything luxarious...I don't mind getting something from used store but I don't know which brand or what to get. Thanks
Acer from best buy. It have light specs not sure about the weight but it will do the job for you.
Mac Slim is another light weight and light specs which should do the job for you but its 1500$s and you have to download boot camp on it to run windows.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
http://www.amazon.com/10-Inch-Netbook-Processor-Storage-Bluetooth/dp/B001QTXL8C
New mini laptop to cost under $300 - Computerworld Blogs
Linux-powered Asus Eee PC mini-laptop arrives
HP’s New Mini-Laptop Versus a Tiny Asus Eee - PC World
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/08/22/acer_us_cuts_aa1_price/
Look for ASUS Eee PC on google!
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/08/22/acer_us_cuts_aa1_price/
I actually had the Asus EEE PC. If you are not comfy with Linux you can reformat and install XP on it, but for the most part you should be fine with the OS it comes with. It has Open Office which can read/write MS Office (uptill 2003) docs, spreadsheets etc. My Problem was with the keyboard, it was a tad small for me. I guess I could’ve gotten used to it in time.
All in all it was a cute little box and never failed to turn heads when I whooped it out.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
wow thanks soooo much Gizzzy. I really like HP 2133 i found in one of your links. Only problem is it has Vista business installed on it and i beleive some reviewers said it makes it slow. Also the battery is lot low.
I actually had the Asus EEE PC. If you are not comfy with Linux you can reformat and install XP on it, but for the most part you should be fine with the OS it comes with. It has Open Office which can read/write MS Office (uptill 2003) docs, spreadsheets etc. My Problem was with the keyboard, it was a tad small for me. I guess I could've gotten used to it in time. All in all it was a cute little box and never failed to turn heads when I whooped it out.
thanks tofibaba. Is the screen for EEE 10"?
I was looking at this site and wondering if size is the only difference between 1000 and 901 and 900?? They all come with Windows XP and screen is 8.9". I found some at pricegrabber.ca
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
i am also looking for a laptop and i found some very decent price ones…
can you guys also help me find which one is best from these two lists ???
^-- from that list this is the best one when it comes to performance:
Compaq Presario 15.4" Laptop featuring Pentium Dual-Core T2390 (C771US) - Refurbished - Online Only
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10116284&catid=25253&PCName=laptop_499_under&logon=&langid=EN&MSCSProfile=3C79F0C7EA3162B2B9AD68C2316B6FA1ACD94A486BA0DB604E0C912F8F6C9EC7D4703F766C6ED4464BC23322C6B79932DC9D139B6EEF2CF9FADACCFE7F7B0FA9FEC757243C00DE045FA95E41BB4929D19771C0D6B0EF11785E49BC12FD249DFD3BD200D62CA4FDF2D0EC188A4CC76E32301E8A354ED86662
All the others are either the (tiny ones) with an Atom processor and small 8,9" or 10" screens, or with Celeron processor.
But this one is a refurbished one. Thats why its so cheap, if you have no problem with that?!
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Razia,
when looking for a netbook, are you keeping with the true intention of a netbook being a device for doing the simple things like web surfing, emailing, remote internet access OR do you want something more than that?
Remember that netbooks, unlike laptops, are primarily meant for cloud computing users whose needs are less demanding than other users who want to install apps on their own machines.
You've mentioned MS Office apps like Word and Excel... my question here is why not use Google Docs while you're on-the-go ? Why bloat your system by installing MS Office apps? If you want to remain true to the intended use of netbooks, then you should look into application service providers who can provide remote access to the apps that you use on a regular basis.
Having said that, now, coming to the issue of which one to buy, based on my own research a few months back, I had short-listed the following with Dell Inspiron Mini being the number one choice in terms of features and functions.
- Acer Aspire
- Lenovo Ideapad
- HP Mini
- Dell Inspiron Mini
Among the features that I was interested in, the differentiating factors came out to be the following: Native Screen Resolution, Keyboard Size, HDMI connector, and Integrated Bluetooth. Of course, this list could be different based on your specific needs.
Razia, when looking for a netbook, are you keeping with the true intention of a netbook being a device for doing the simple things like web surfing, emailing, remote internet access OR do you want something more than that?
Remember that netbooks, unlike laptops, are primarily meant for cloud computing users whose needs are less demanding than other users who want to install apps on their own machines.
You've mentioned MS Office apps like Word and Excel... my question here is why not use Google Docs while you're on-the-go ? Why bloat your system by installing MS Office apps? If you want to remain true to the intended use of netbooks, then you should look into application service providers who can provide remote access to the apps that you use on a regular basis.
Having said that, now, coming to the issue of which one to buy, based on my own research a few months back, I had short-listed the following with Dell Inspiron Mini being the number one choice in terms of features and functions.
- Acer Aspire
- Lenovo Ideapad
- HP Mini
- Dell Inspiron Mini
Among the features that I was interested in, the differentiating factors came out to be the following: Native Screen Resolution, Keyboard Size, HDMI connector, and Integrated Bluetooth. Of course, this list could be different based on your specific needs.
Great advice Umer. Thanks so much.
What is Google Doc? Will I be able to save documents on my USB stick?
My primary use for this netbook would be to use a WORD software to do my assignments, if I can strech it would be nice to have Excel becuz I think I might need that too once in a while.
Web surfing or e-mailing will not be my primary use as I understand most people use Netbook for that; however I do not really need that.
I also can use Citrix or Remote access to connect to my work which allows us to use any Office tools. But I guess in that case I will need to buy internet stick and service as well??? Like rogers is offereing.
My problem is that I do lot of walking and I need something light which I can easily carry around with me to write up assigments or whereever I am sitting down in a classroom, at work, or on a train.
I was hoping I will not have to use the internet becuz I beleive I will be paying for Rogers Service otherwise.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
Here’s another suggestion. Go for an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC).
Samsung Q1 Ultra is a little tablet PC with a thumb-board if you like to use the Blackberry type pads. Or you can use its handwriting recognition software that comes with it (that technology has come a looooooong way) or when you’re home you can hook up a USB keyboard and its like a regular computer. It fits in the smallest of places and is very portable.
Re: Looking for netbook or very light laptop
i just purchased the HP mini. it cost me about $350. altho i havent been able to hook it up to my wireless network and thus havent been able to browse the net as of yet…still seems good to me so far.
it’s tiny and cute 