[alisont]

Hello first post here, I have been looking to buy a netbook but am a total IT novice when it comes buying new computers!

I have seen the Acer netbooks the aspire 1 but not sure if this is the best one to go for?

I have got a Dell main pc here I share with the family and an Acer Aspire 1353XC laptop which Ive had atbout 4 years I guess? The laptop is really slowing down now,internet connection goes on/off, not sure why. How long do laptops last on average?

Im after a small portable laptop/netbook to use when out and about on trains UK holidays etc, for browsing forums, putting photos on to view, would store on memory stick/SD card. Id stick to the main pc for online shopping/banking.

I dont know much about wifi but am due to upgrade my phone soon so would also get mobile broadband to use with the netbook as there doesnt seem to be much wifi where I live?

Are there any netbooks with built in wifi? Or would I be best with using a dongle?

Did look at iphone but not what Im after and too expensive!

Price wise looking at around the £250 ish mark, would wait for the Jan sales in case of reductions.

Any info/advice would be great, not sure where to start looking really!

Thanks Alison

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

With a £250 budget you definatly want a netbook not a laptop. If it is literally as you describe just for documents and web browsing then you don't need more than a netbook anyway.

If you could stretch a bit I'd recomend the Samsung NC10 at £317 it has twice the RAM of the Acer A110 and a bigger hard drive.

However sticking to your budget my choice would probably be the Acer Aspire A150 Ab it runs on Linux, not Windows which is the generally preferred OS for netbooks, however if you're not used to it it could be annoying, or it could be the best thing that ever happened to you, or a steep learning curve - depends what sort of person you are

[alisont]

Thanks for the info

Have been for a browse today in Currys and PC World. Think I needed to up the budget a bit so those you mention would be ok price wise.

From reading reviews and looking at the various netbooks I so far like the look of the Advent 4213 and the Samsung NC10, there was also a Dell Inspiron mini 9 that I looked at.

Im use to Windows XP here but would consider Linux - always happy to get use to a new system!

Main use would be surfing forums/net and showing photos - Id prob keep those on a memory stick save clogging up the netbook (like Ive done with the laptop/main pc here!) Id have i tunes on it too.

So at the mo a choice between the Advent and the Samsung.

Id prob get a PAYG dongle - 3 have one for £97 with 12 months internet access on - Id not use that at home just when out so should last a while, not keen on signing up for a 24 month contract. Having said that 3 did offer me mobile broadband for £5 a month if I move to them which Im considering as time for a new phone.

Still not sure what exactly an embedded sim is.

Il have a look on the net and here for info on both netbooks

Cheers Alison

[Carbon]

The NC10 is by far the best netbook on the market right now and if you can afford it it's your best bet.

I'm not sure what sort of connection standards those mobile internet things use - if it's PCIMCA, you're likely out of luck. These things tend to have USB only.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by Carbon

I'm not sure what sort of connection standards those mobile internet things use - if it's PCIMCA, you're likely out of luck. These things tend to have USB only.

Most of them are USB anyway.