May

Going Mobile with a Netbook

Samsung Netbook

Last summer I bought a Dell Studio laptop from a local Staples store. There were a number of laptops to choose from but I have always had a good experience with Dell and their support. I ended up getting the Studio laptop for $700 and also bought the 2 year service from Staples. I don’t usually buy the warrantly, but the salesperson promoted it and it sounded like a great deal. Apparently if I run into any problems with the laptop, i.e. hard disk, battery, display, etc…, they would take it back and give me a brand new one, no questions asked. This service was an extra $190. After leaving the store I felt buyers remorse not for the laptop but the 2 year service.

Fast forward 9 months and the Dell Studio laptop gives me an intermittent hardware failure error message on boot up. I have to say that this is the first time seeing this type of error after using Dell laptops for the past 10 years. Thinking back now, I am feeling pretty good about my decision to buy that 2 year Staples service package. I actually despise changing computers because of the headaches in moving files and re-installing apps, but don’t really have a choice in this case.

Deciding on a Netbook

I consider myself a highly mobile person. I use my Android G1 phone and laptop to constantly connect online, even while at home. Most of my usage is through the browser, whether that be reading news, watching videos, social networking, blogging or keeping up with sports. I use MS Office heavily from my office laptop but don’t anticipate needing it too often from this new one. I really need battery life because often times I’ll pick up my laptop and head over to a coffee shop to get some work done. More often these days it has become harder to sit near open power outlets. I have a desktop at home, but find it very limiting as I like to work in different rooms throughout the house depending on my mood.

I had been reading a lot about Netbooks over the past few months and saw a few really cool ones at CES earlier this year. For all of the usage reasons mentioned above and since I have an opportunity to pick up a new laptop, it is probably going to be a Netbook.

Which One to Buy?

After a cursory look at the Staples website, it looks like my options are going to be the Samsung NC10-14GW, Dell Inspiron Mini or ASUS Eee PC 1000. From what I have read, the Samsung has the best battery life and the most efficient keyboard. I am still partial to Dell because of the great experience I have had with their service department. I have never used an Asus branded laptop, but I have only heard good things about the them as well. A quick Google search of reviews for the products came up generally positive for each. I recently started doing Twitter searches as well to see what people are saying, recommending and writing about which is how I found this informative blog post: 10 Things To Consider When Buying a Netbook.

Do I go with brand, features or price? All of the above? It will be a tough decision for sure.