Need a small portable laptop and cheap

[HELPNEEDED]

Hey Guys,

I'm going on an exchange program and will be traveling on completion and don't want to take my more expensive and bigger machine. I'm looking to buy a netbook and as cheap as possible.

Do they play 1080p mkvs? Are they half decent, any one have any input on net books?

Any suggestions on a cheap NB?

Thanks

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Hey Guys,

I'm going on an exchange program and will be traveling on completion and don't want to take my more expensive and bigger machine. I'm looking to buy a netbook and as cheap as possible.

Do they play 1080p mkvs? Are they half decent, any one have any input on net books?

Any suggestions on a cheap NB?

Thanks

Most netbooks will be similar enough that you don't really need to bother with comparing one over another too deeply. They should still be able to play 1080p mkvs with the right player/codecs. You may just be better off with 720p encodes if you can get your hands on those instead since a 10.1 inch screen isn't going to show very much difference.

Might not be a bad idea to buy one now, try it out for 2 weeks and see how you like it before you leave. Worst case scenario, the netbook idea just blows, and you return the thing in favor for something else.
Where will you be going out of curiosity?

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Most netbooks will be similar enough that you don't really need to bother with comparing one over another too deeply. They should still be able to play 1080p mkvs with the right player/codecs. You may just be better off with 720p encodes if you can get your hands on those instead since a 10.1 inch screen isn't going to show very much difference.

Might not be a bad idea to buy one now, try it out for 2 weeks and see how you like it before you leave. Worst case scenario, the netbook idea just blows, and you return the thing in favor for something else.
Where will you be going out of curiosity?

Hey thanks man,

Germany to school then onto Poland and krakow for fun.

Thanks for the input ill have to check itoit

[HPLovecraft]

Chromebook?

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Hey Guys,

I'm going on an exchange program and will be traveling on completion and don't want to take my more expensive and bigger machine. I'm looking to buy a netbook and as cheap as possible.

Do they play 1080p mkvs? Are they half decent, any one have any input on net books?

Any suggestions on a cheap NB?

Thanks

Netbooks are dead for a reason.

What's your budget? You're probably better off with a cheap Android tablet.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Netbooks are dead for a reason.

What's your budget? You're probably better off with a cheap Android tablet.

I agree with this although a good tablet with good keyboard addon will be more expensive than a netbook (which are basically dead, manufacturers stopped making them).

For travelling, I'd get a tablet. There's no reason to really watch 1080p MKVs on anything with less than a 22" screen even with ultra high pixel density.

[Rathji]

I thought about suggesting a tablet, but he is talking about doing a school exchange and then travelling. I don't think a tablet is a viable option for real school work at this time, unless you are talking about a Windows 8 one, with dockable keyboard, which certainly wouldn't be a cheap machine, imho.

My suggestion would be an entry level 14" ultra book, like the Vostro 2420 or 3360.

You can get a 2420 for $350 to $430 or a 3360 for $560.

The 2420 is more of a netbook type machine in that it is a little less powerful, which is reflected in that price point, but the 3360 has an i3 and 4GB ram, which makes it a fairly decent machine for the money. Both are very small and light, which for travel should be a primary concern.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I thought about suggesting a tablet, but he is talking about doing a school exchange and then travelling. I don't think a tablet is a viable option for real school work at this time, unless you are talking about a Windows 8 one, with dockable keyboard, which certainly wouldn't be a cheap machine, imho.

Hit the nail on the head here. Thought about suggesting a tablet but probably should have asked about budget first.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I thought about suggesting a tablet, but he is talking about doing a school exchange and then travelling. I don't think a tablet is a viable option for real school work at this time

I don't know about that, I know IT and business professionals that use iPads, etc. with good (that's the most important part) dockable keyboards for the majority of their work. The issue here is if his schoolwork demands specialized applications, etc. that would require an x86 machine.

[HELPNEEDED]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm debating just taking my ipad with a keyboard. But i'm afraid I may have to do some excel work, we'll see.

If not, maybe the Lenovo Yoga? The vostros just to large. I'm looking at max 11"

but thanks guys! keep the suggestions rolling

[Rathji]

I am curious, what are these people doing on their iPads that compare to what a student does on a daily basis?

You are talking about note taking, doing assignments, being able to access network resources at a school where you have no prior experience. Even something as simple as not being sure you would be able to print would be in question. Have you ever tried to make a presentation in keynote and tried to use it on a Windows machine for a presentation? Not a painless experience, I promise you.

Comparing that to using a fully compatible or custom designed CRM/ERP/whatever solution, while taking the occasional notes in a meeting would be like night and day.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm debating just taking my ipad with a keyboard. But i'm afraid I may have to do some excel work, we'll see.

If not, maybe the Lenovo Yoga? The vostros just to large. I'm looking at max 11"

but thanks guys! keep the suggestions rolling

Sounds like you have a bigger budget.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm debating just taking my ipad with a keyboard. But i'm afraid I may have to do some excel work, we'll see.

If not, maybe the Lenovo Yoga? The vostros just to large. I'm looking at max 11"

but thanks guys! keep the suggestions rolling

Lenovo's laptop line and price points have been very impressive the last few years. Though, purchasing through their website directly is typically cheaper than from 3rd party retailers.

EDIT: I lied, MemEx has it on for $599 (limited stock however).

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42080

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Sounds like you have a bigger budget.

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Lenovo's laptop line and price points have been very impressive the last few years. Though, purchasing through their website directly is typically cheaper than from 3rd party retailers.

EDIT: I lied, MemEx has it on for $599 (limited stock however).

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX42080

Actually Costco has it for 499.

I was thinking I'd sell one of my laptops and just buy this one.

That way the 200 dollars or so I do spend can be used after the trip.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Actually Costco has it for 499.

I was thinking I'd sell one of my laptops and just buy this one.

That way the 200 dollars or so I do spend can be used after the trip.

Ensure you compare specs with this vs the Costco one as well, as some have smaller SSDs and older Tegra chips.

[HELPNEEDED]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Ensure you compare specs with this vs the Costco one as well, as some have smaller SSDs and older Tegra chips.

Thank you will do.

How are these machines?? Will they be able to play 1080P movies?

I'm assuming their effecient enough for all MS office apps etc?

The Windows RTness kinda turns me off though.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by HELPNEEDED

Thank you will do.

How are these machines?? Will they be able to play 1080P movies?

I'm assuming their effecient enough for all MS office apps etc?

The Windows RTness kinda turns me off though.

Well the screen is only 1366x768 so a (1920x)1080p file would be kind of a waste, 720p would better.

They should be sufficient to run Office.

If you really truly want a 1080p 11" laptop, you will be paying a premium, such as the Asus Zenbook Prime UX21A which is both powerful and has an amazing screen.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Dell has a good deal for today only with it's 14" or 15 i3 Win 7 Vostro going for $349....

[HELPNEEDED]

again thanks guys.

How are asus zenbooks, my budget as been reassessed to 500ish..prefer to stay lower.

[HELPNEEDED]

Thanks for your many thoughts guys!

I've chosen a machine to get, however much outside my orignal budget: http://www.amazon.com/VivoBook-X202E.../dp/B009F1I1C4

The only quagmire now is the choice of CPU:

intel Core i3-3427U vs i5 3317U

Actually right now I snagged the i5 at a cheaper price the i3, but which processor would give better battery performence?

Thanks!