Advice on buying a mini laptop

[happymommy]

I have a credit at HP (from Verizon) for $300, and I'm wanting a mini laptop. I don't have a laptop computer (my kids do, but theirs are over 6 pounds, which is fine, but I want one that is very light and portable).

I mostly will use it for surfing the web in the kitchen, plus taking while we are away. I'm going to go back to Netflix as well, as DH and DS loved it! So streaming videos is a big deal.

Since I have to buy it from HP, I found a couple of ones that look nice, especially the newest one with HD.

Does anyone have any advice? Since our home router is an "n" one, I'll upgrade to an n card for wifi. Other than that, I'm a bit torn...

For a little bit more, they have a portable laptop (slightly bigger than a mini) with real windows 7 64 bit, not the starter 32 bit that comes in a mini. It is a little over 4 pounds, while the mini is under 3. I don't know if a pound makes a difference! The new mini's battery is supposed to last 9 hours, though, which would be nice for plane flights!

I have such a hard time with this one - why, I don't know!

If anyone has any advice, as far as video streaming, etc... I'd love to hear from you. I also would probably get the external dvd drive, as if you buy it bundled it's only about $50, but separately it's about $80? That way we can put use DVD's when we're traveling (and ditch the portable DVD player at home).

Thanks!

 

[dr_zero]

If you could post the model #'s I would be happy to take a look at them

Netbooks are pretty cool but you can get a small laptop for not a lot more and some have built in dvd.

Just a quick glance and I would go with this model
CQ61Z series

Has the wireless N built in along with a modem just in case has LED for monitor vs cfl tubes so less fragile good memory and they are offering a free upgrade to 250gb HD! and built in dvd for watching movies.

Not the lightest but a good all around unit imho.


Oh external drives and the likes check out Newegg.com this where we order many parts for the shop they have all kinds of computer and electronics and are reasonable and fast.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have an HP netbook that I bought last Jan and I love it. I use it for on-line bill pay and have taken it with me to WDW, so easy to carry and will fit in the small safes. I haven't tried streaming from Netflix. I surf the web and Dis on it and DH will watch youtube sometimes. I have a seperate CD/DVD player/burner that can be attached, but I haven't used it yet.

We have a 15" laptop that our router is hooked to and I have the mini and I don't even use the larger laptop unless I need to print something. It has been the best money I have ever spent.

Suzanne

 

[happymommy]

Thanks - I'm looking at the new 210 or the 311, or maybe the slightly larger lightweight laptop (I forget which it is) with full windows 7 home premium (instead of starter). Ugh...

I guess if Youtube works fine, then movies will too. I just don't want to get it, then regret not upgrading one thing or another... It would be nice to bring on vacations! Not that we hang out a lot on a computer, but for downtime.

 

[rock_doctor]

I have a toshiba NB205 w/o bluetooth. The toshibas are a little more expensive then the others but they come with the faster atom processor and are built like a fisher price toy (i.e. very durable). Order it with the 2 gig memory upgrade or get the 2 gig card separate. The card is easy to change yourself and with win 7 you can do anything on it you can with a normal full sized laptop (except for watching HD video which just skips). Youtube works fine, MS office ultimate works fine, firefox/thunderbird work fine, full web access plus has a webcam and mic. I use it to travel with and it does everything i use my normal machines for... Plus...massive battery time. I have seen better then 10hrs with mine and when i do take it to work i don't pack the charger as the battery will easily cover a full day of use. If you want to get the bluetooth then that cost a bit more. It only weights 2.6 lbs...I highly recommend it.

 

[happymommy]

I see bluetooth as a help when printing, but that would be all. I print from my desktop, so don't know if I'd need that.

HD skips - is that with an n card? HP new mini 210 comes in an HD version, with higher resolution, so I was considering that. I really don't want video to skip or lag. That is my concern really, as I'd be using it to watch stuff on netflix or the like.

I have to go with HP due to the credit - most of it's paid for.

 

[lucigo]

Can you hook an external keyboard to these? THey look like a carpal tunnel nightmare to me.

 

[happymommy]

I tried out the HP mini 210 (the new one) at Costco this week, and I think the keyboard is fine. They say it's about 93% of the size of a regular keyboard. It just doesn't have a lot of space around on the sides of it, as a regular larger laptop does.

They do need an external optical drive, for loading software that comes in a CD/DVD or watching DVD movies (we get a lot from the library and redbox, and am signing up for netflix again).

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I watched Netflix on mine all day Saturday and it was great. I don't have a hard time with the keyboard at all, no more than I actually type on it, I wouldn't be able to sit a type a report or anything like that probably, but then again I don't have to do that either.

Suzanne

 

[lucigo]

I watched Netflix on mine all day Saturday and it was great. I don't have a hard time with the keyboard at all, no more than I actually type on it, I wouldn't be able to sit a type a report or anything like that probably, but then again I don't have to do that either.

Suzanne

Good point, I wouldnt' want to type reports with my laptop either, but I have been known to take my work with me, and I just plug in an external keyboard and mouse in that case. The minis look like they would be great for vacation.