Netbook recommendations

[Betty]

My boss is in need of a netbook. Does anyone have any experience with them? Good reviews? Bad? Indifferent?

He's in need of the device as a quick mobile way to view things online. His smart phone isn't quite big enough and his notebook is way to big to comfortable stand and use for any length of time.

The netbook seems like the right solution for this.

Have you used one? Did you like it? Why? or not?

[Alex]

You mean literally be standing up and using it on the move? I couldn't see myself using our netbook that way. Definitely more mobile but still primarily of use in static sitting down situations.

Have you looked at Tablet PCs?

[BarTopDancer]

A netbook is essentially a smaller, lower functionality laptop with built-in wifi from a cell provider (most prominently, Verizon).

Just as an example, this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=95F009047F73858EF16653D3BA5 EDE4D.bbolsp-app05-01?skuId=9380065&productCategoryId=pcmcat164200050013&type=product&cmp=++&lid=abn_sku_2_Netbooks_SKU_9380065_TXT&id=1218095151820) netbook is 2inches smaller than my laptop. I couldn't remotely imagine standing and trying to type on it. You need more than 2 hands.

[Betty]

He wants to use it standing on the courthouse steps. Literally. I too think he may need a 3rd arm - but it's the boss so I'm not going to argue.

[Alex]

Yeah, a tablet PC with touchscreen may be of more of interest. Those are designed to be used while holding it in one hand and manipulating with the other. Think a big iPhone.

[Betty]

I know what a tablet pc is - I think it might be bigger than he wants? I believe they have more bells and whistles then what he needs... essentially a way to get online and view things in a very mobile way.

The netbooks with cell phone service seem to have some deals going which also makes them more appealing - $99 for a netbook with a 2 year service plan. I see comments about best buy and sprint offering a 99 cent netbook but have yet to actually find any info on that at Sprint or Best Buys website. (Still waiting to hear back from my sprint rep.)

From the comments though, it still seems like he's going to have a tough time standing and using the device.

[Alex]

Well, if all he's doing is reading standard documents then you might consider a Kindle or Kindle DX.

The DX is larger but has native PDF support.

[Betty]

Reading websites which use javascript, have logins to get the data and it has to be up to the minute updated which means it has to be online.

[BarTopDancer]

From the comments though, it still seems like he's going to have a tough time standing and using the device.

He will.

[Alex]

Yeah, if you want to use it standing you need a touchscreen.

If a cell phone is too small then a small tablet like this one (http://www.umpcportal.com/2009/04/test-gigabyte-touchnote-t1028m-10%E2%80%9D-touchscreen-netbook), even if it is overfeatured, is the best option for usability. Using a standard netbook is just like using a regular laptop. The advantage being that it isn't such a pain in the butt to carry around.

Or tell him to set down on the courthouse steps.

[Betty]

Thanks for the product rec. Alex. That looks like it would work well for him... and it's not backordered as long as the other tablet netbook I saw.

[Prudence]

Apparently we will be acquiring a netbook in the very near future. The Rat ordered one and it has shipped, but I don't know anything else about it.

[Betty]

It's rather odd - there's a ton of news stories and blog entries about the 99 cent laptop with Sprint and Best Buy and no one knows a thing about it. Further, no one at Sprint will even respond to inquiries about it... which means I actually have to pick up the phone and call repeatedly I guess. I would appreciate an "I don't know" rather then being ignored.

I sense this is going to be a day of people getting on my nerves. Maybe I should try and shake that... blah.

[dlrp_bopazot]

i'm looking forward on going to Best Buy and get an Netbook the US Dollard is still a pretty good deal for Europeans . a NEtbook cost like $250 so in euros it would be like €170 .

Do you think Best Buy is the best place to get an Netbook ?

[Moonliner]

How is he going to connect to the Internet? A lot of netbooks do not have an express card slot. Some have built in 3G. All have built-in WiFi that would work with a MiFi Card (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_mifi)

[Betty]

He's either going to have it built in or use a USB mobile broadband stick.

[Moonliner]

He's either going to have it built in or use a USB mobile broadband stick.

The 3G-USB sticks are a pain when you are on the go. They stick out too far and are always getting in the way.

[Betty]

I agree Moonliner. At this point I'm thinking the Best Buy / Sprint version is probably going to be a good deal at $99 for what he's going to use it for.

I'm still getting ignored on the 99 cent deal so I think that's a no-go.

[Moonliner]

I agree Moonliner. At this point I'm thinking the Best Buy / Sprint version is probably going to be a good deal at $99 for what he's going to use it for.

I'm still getting ignored on the 99 cent deal so I think that's a no-go.

How is Sprint coverage out there? Out here it's, to be kind, rather spotty.

[Betty]

I don't have much of an issue where I use it - but you have a good point.

I know his coverage preference is Verizon over Spring though... probably worth the money just to go with the better cell coverage I suspect.

When it comes down to it, I present him with the info in as succint a way as I can and he makes a decision that I carry out... the 99 cent version was just so hard to pass up - but it's disappeared in a whiff of smoke.

And actually, I don't have Sprint. I'm on the Nextel network that was supposed to be merged with Sprint but never was. The bill is from Sprint but it's not Sprint. However, the netbook would be.