Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: Variola on 08/04/2009 15:34:07
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Hello all
I need to buy a laptop for my studies, but I have been looking at the cheaper ( but smaller) notebooks.
Being completely void of any comp knowledge, I was wondering if the notebook would be a feasible option?
All I need it for is connecting to the internet, ( I have wifi router on main computer that my lad uses for his xbox), for word documents, excel, powerpoint, adobe and some RASMOL type softare, but the latter is not essential.
My only problem witht he notebook is that the screens are piddly small, but if it means spending a lot less then its worth it!
The Pox
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Laptops and notebooks are mostly marketing categories and used mostly interchangeably. I think you are talking about netbooks. They are indeed cheaper and a lot lighter. Most of them are around 1-1.5 kg, which makes a huge difference compared to 2.5+kg of normal notebooks if you have to carry them around a lot.
The computing power of netbooks is more than enough for office applications and reading pdf files (I guess that's what you mean by Adobe). Ummm what is RASMOL?
Netbooks have screensizes of 10" which is indeed small, but it's something most people get used to. The other thing to get used to is the keyboard. Try them out at first, esp. if you will type more than just a few emails or letters on it.
Something else to think about is the size of the harddisk most netbooks habe 160gig, some have solid state "disks" which are a lot smaller, but make the netbooks lighter and run longer without having access to mains. So think about how many documents you will need unless you are willing to carry an extra USB stick with your netbook. Most solid state netbooks will have Linux as operating system, which means no Microsoft Office, but Open Office.
How much time will you spent relying on battery power alone? If that's an issue make sure your netbook has a 6 cell battery pack.
All those comments go for normal notebooks as well. How does the keyboard feel, how big is the harddisk, how long can it run with out being plugged in.
The cheaper notebooks have 15.4" screens, which is enough for most applications. But they weight about 2.5kg, most of them closer to 3kg, they cost about the same as netbooks, but have more computing power and have a DVD writer built in, which netbooks don't have.
You can get notebooks with 18" screens by now, but they are still expensive and HEAVY. They are concidered as desktop replacements.
Ummm, that's all I can think of at the moment. HTH
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Laptops and notebooks are mostly marketing categories and used mostly interchangeably. I think you are talking about netbooks. They are indeed cheaper and a lot lighter. Most of them are around 1-1.5 kg, which makes a huge difference compared to 2.5+kg of normal notebooks if you have to carry them around a lot.
Ahhh that explains my bafflement when looking at the range in Curry's Cometn etc!
Yes a lighter one would certainlybe a bonus, and easier to transport back anf forth to uni, although thats not my main reason for getting one.
The computing power of netbooks is more than enough for office applications and reading pdf files (I guess that's what you mean by Adobe). Ummm what is RASMOL?
Yup I meant pdf. RASMOL is a molecular visualization software for protiens, I have it on my desk PC so its not essential to have it on a laptop, just useful.
Something else to think about is the size of the harddisk most netbooks habe 160gig, some have solid state "disks" which are a lot smaller, but make the netbooks lighter and run longer without having access to mains. So think about how many documents you will need unless you are willing to carry an extra USB stick with your netbook. Most solid state netbooks will have Linux as operating system, which means no Microsoft Office, but Open Office.
I will have quite a lot of documents stored on it, mainly as reference, how much space does an average word doc or pdf take up? Or powerpoint? ( I really have no idea!)
The operating system is an issue, I much prefer open office but Uni computer software, powerpoints, email attachments etc are all in Microsoft office. Midn you nothing to say I cant stick microsoft office on there I guess??
How much time will you spent relying on battery power alone? If that's an issue make sure your netbook has a 6 cell battery pack.
Prob not that much as I wil use it at home mainly ( my daughter is surgically attached to my desk top PC!) and sometimes at Uni, so can use it plugged in.
The cheaper notebooks have 15.4" screens, which is enough for most applications. But they weight about 2.5kg, most of them closer to 3kg, they cost about the same as netbooks, but have more computing power and have a DVD writer built in, which netbooks don't have.
You can get notebooks with 18" screens by now, but they are still expensive and HEAVY. They are concidered as desktop replacements.
Yep I have seent he bigger ones, they do look good but if they are just as heavy, and they do cost a lot more than the smaller ones. Naturally I would prefer a bigger screen,. but I think I will take your advice and have a fiddle about on a smaller screen one to see how it feels.
Ummm, that's all I can think of at the moment. HTH
Yep it has helped a lot thankyou !!! [;D]
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You really can't tell the avarage size of documents, to check the size of a file right click on it and select properties. But a 160gig harddisk is more than enough for most people, unless you plan to store millions of mp3s on your computer.
If the operating system is Windows you can use Microsoft Office or Openoffice, but if it's Linux you can only use Openoffice. (OK, there are ways to run MSOffice under Linux, but they can't be recommended to non-geeks.)
Oh yeah... attaching an external monitor and a keyboard to the netbook/notebook/laptop is an option too. Which is nice when you have to type a lot.
Feel free to ask more questions, and to post the specs of the netbooks/notebooks you are considering to buy. The guys at the shops often aren't that neutral, they want to sell you something after all.
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Feel free to ask more questions, and to post the specs of the netbooks/notebooks you are considering to buy. The guys at the shops often aren't that neutral, they want to sell you something after all.
Thanks loads you are a star!! [;D]
The guys in the shops treat customers like they are mentally deficient simply because they have no idea about computers,I usually get quite abrasive when they are like that!
I think I'm gonna go for a small net/notebook, even with the smaller screen the idea of lighter transport appeals, and I can then use the WIFI at uni. At home I will use it when my daughter is surgically attached to this one, plus the idea or curling up on the bed to work appeals! [;D]