In case everyone is wondering where Anne got off to, she's on a well deserved family vacation this week and being the good buddies were are, Kelley and I have been filling in for her but she'll be back next week feeling so frisky we'll wanna slap her! Ummm....just kiddin' Anne! You know we'd never do THAT but allow us to be a little jealous. Okay?
Soooo I'll take Anne's day and her space to announce I am getting a new computer. Don't know when it'll arrive but I can tell you right now, I'm ready to kick this old one I'm using right out the damn window. Don't get me wrong...we have several computers in the house. Besides min
e there are two other desktops and they are both new but they aren't in my ROOM. I need something in here in case I want to work on a spectacular masterpiece (Allow me my dreams please). I've always gotten the leftover computer. Someone gets a new computer and the old one is given to me. I don't know how that trend started exactly but it SUCKS. Soooo, finally, finally it's my turn to get something that has that great 'new computer smell'.While my mind is geared toward gadgets, I've been wondering about something. Several friends have gotten these mini-netbooks. The ones pictured here are Dells but there are plenty of other brands out there. These friends not only can slip them in their purses so they can take care of business while on the road but they can read pdf format books on them just fine. The only difference is you scroll down instead of turning a virtual page. Most of these little beauties cost around $300. Not bad for something you can do so
many things with...including READ.Now there may be die-hard 'page turners' out there who prefer an e-book reader. We all know the Kindle and the Sony top of the line versions are plenty expensive, ranging in price from $400 to $300. Other ebook readers are making their debut as well. Tons are coming on the market with very attractive prices. The Cool-Er e-book reader shown here costs around $250 and comes in many, many mouthwatering colors. Neat, huh? Plug Cool-ER ebook reader into your browser and check out their site.
Most of you know, I have an e-bookwise which definitely serves the purpose. It's a little heavier than most readers but does have a backlight, which I love. Still, I'm lusting after something a bit fancier.
Lately, I've been leaning toward just getting the 10" screen mini netbook. For the price, it'll do more. I love the idea of traveling with something small enough to carry in my purse that fills so many functions. For the price difference, this seems the better deal to me. What do ya'll think?
29 comments:
Regina,
I have an ebookwise that I loved, but I bought an Acer netbook a couple of months ago and I LOVE it for reading ebooks in pdf format. It's easy to use and, as you said, it has lots of other features.
Teri
I love the mini netbooks. I want one! I need a new laptop so bad. I just wonder if they have as much space on them and such as a regular laptop.
Hey Regina,
I guess I'm old school. I have a 13" macbook that is everything to me. I write on it, read on it, basically do life on it. MAC are awesome, and yes they do everything a PC does only easier (ok had to put that in, lol) But if I want to just have something to read and stuff here's what I use... my ipod touch.
Yup. I know you're thinking, way too small. But I love it. I can read books on it, listen to music play games and with the new headphones I can ever use it as a phone over wi-fi. It's everthing in the coolest package. And it fits in my pocket let alone a purse.
Anyway, just my 2 cents. If I want a computer, I use it, no substitutes that have only a few functions. But for pure fun, ipod is it.
cheers,
p.s. those e-readers do look cool though, and ya know I love the pink one.
Teri, a friend of mine has the Acer and I asked her about it. She just loves the little thing. She can write, read, do email, whatever! I'm really leaning in that direction.
I was so delighted to see your post because, as of last Sunday, I'm the proud owner of a brand new, little midnight blue netbook.
I just bought an Asus Eee PC when I was down in the States. I love it, love it, love it.
I downloaded some books while there to see what it was like to read on it and it was wonderful. I bought the one with the 10 inch screen and everyone was amazed at the quality and with the keyboard. It seems that Asus has just moved some keys to make the board more compact, yet the actual letter and number keys seem the same size as regular computers. You can also use the mouse to make the screen image larger or smaller.
I didn't take a laptop when I went down to Kansas City as I knew the laptop backpack would kill my back. I just set my new baby in my backpack when I came home and never even noticed it was there. It weighs two or three pounds-something obscene like that. The netbook may not be for everyone and I only got it last Sunday so it's still new to me, but I'm delighted with it. It was recommended to me by my son who has a degree in multi-media and is always reading reviews and cruising Best Buy sites to see what's new and amazing. Hope this is helpful. I'd be delighted to expound at greater lengths if you want to email me. Sorry the post is so lengthy, but Midnight (my new computer) and I are in love.
Kaenar Langford
www.kaenar.com
Kell, I haven't done a whole lot of research but I plan to. I understand that the minis work better if you have fairly small hands. But honestly, I love the idea of sticking it in your purse. I think one version has a 10" screen and another (slightly more expensive) has an 11" screen.
Ah, Kris! Interesting you mentioned this. I've been trying to talk my sister into a reader FOREVER. The other day I asked her what phone she uses...the IPHONE. I told her about Stanza. It is owned by fictionwise and she downloaded free software and can read from her phone. She is MAD ABOUT IT! Loves it. PLUS they offer lots of free reads. She's on the road a lot and this is great for her.
My daughter recently got an ITOUCH so I'll have to tell her about this. Okay...she just walked in the room and we're discussing it. She says that ITOUCH is cooler than heck and offers lots of applications!
AHHHHHH. I'm so glad to hear your report on this Kaenar! YAY for you on the new baby! I'll have to check out this brand but sounds like your son knows his stuff about what kind to get. I mean, seriously, laptops are freakin' HEAVY. I don't care WHAT they say! I tend to carry large purses when I travel and I can't imagine anything easier than just slipping it in my purse.
I know this is probably DUMB but I love the colors. Guess it's a 'girl thing' but damn. Yes. I think I'm getting one. sigh. I'm in love already.
Like the idea of a keyboard that is the right size too.
There is a flexible "roll-up" keyboard you could stuff in your bag. Ditto for the small mouse. That's what I would do if I was going to get a small 'puter.
I actually have pretty small hands and might not even need one of those rollup keyboards.
Hi Regina, what an interesting topic! I bought an acer mini netbook also and LOVE IT! Although I don't read any books on it, I use my ITouch for that, this little netbook is fabulous!! I write on it, search the web, do worksheets, word documents, read email and so much more. Just wanted to put in another love it for the ACER. :)
Midnyte
I have the Aspire netbook, my husband the Dell. He absolutely loves it for work. He's a computer hardware technician and so he can whip it out and it boots up fast so he can access manuals or other info he needs at his fingertips.
I love the Aspire, but it has some quirks that annoy me. No matter the speed of the mouse, it moves when you don't want it to -- closes the file you're working on, changes the page view and you suddenly have your work in several pages too small to read.
What I really love about it is the screen is so much easier to read outside than my older laptop. I sit outside with it quite often.
I have a faulty battery -- it's the 3-cell that comes with it, but instead of lasting three hours, it's almost an hour. They are supposed to be sending me a replacement. You can buy 3-cell, 6-cell and 9-cell batteries, they are costly. I believe the 9-cell is about half the cost of the netbook itself.
You will also need to purchase an external cd drive in order to reinstall if you need to at some point, or put on any other software you aren't downloading from the net.
I've seen a lot of reports that say you can't do near as much with these babies as you can with a full size. It can't handle all of the software. My netbook has everything my biggie does and more.
Anymore when we travel, we use the S10 instead of my car. Not a lot of cab space. The netbooks are perfect for this and I purchased an ac adapter -- Walmart has them half the cost of Best Buy. The only thing is, the bottom of these baby's heat up and get hotter than the full size. It would be wise to purchase a cooling pad - I also use a throw pillow in the truck to raise it up off my lap, more eye level.
Reading ebooks on it, isn't bad, I've only done it a couple of times.
Large fingers take some time to avoid hitting two keys at the same time, but my husband hasn't complained. You'll have learn where some keys are moved to.
I tell you, there for about three weeks, my biggie was down and I used the netbook day in and day out, going back to the biggie was the strangest thing to look at. It just didn't seem right, the display was gigantic. It took a few days to adjust. lol
You'll love the netbook. Especially if you write in a public place. Less people will be reading over your shoulder, you the feel that they do will lessen.
I have the Sony 505 eBook reader (not the touch screen...pout).
I want a netbook and if I get it I'll probably give the reader to my mom. Being able to enlarge the font would be nice for her.
For me the netbook is a good plan so I can take it to appointment and will have my calendar handy to setup future appts and I could still read while I wait. I want it for other reasons too but as far as the reader goes it's pretty much a tie. The extra uses tip the scales to the netbook.
PS: I'm a programmer so I like tech toys. LOL
My friend, Desiree, has the Acer and absolutely adores the little thing. I waffling back and forth about which brand to buy though. I just don't know.
Bekki, thanks for the thumbs up on the Aspire and the Dell. Damn. I sure wish there was a way to test drive these! I'm glad to hear you can do almost everything with these that you can do with a regular sized laptop. Good suggestions on the batteries. Sounds like a bigger battery would be a good investment.
the Acer is good, so are the HPs. The biggest part of buying the netbooks is you need to know what you want. They are not all alike, just like the readers. I've helped a few people pick one out even though I can't get one yet.
You sound like me, Connie. I have a reader too but I just like the idea of paying the same price as a new reader for something that does even MORE. And scrolling down rather than turning a 'virtual' page doesn't bother me at all.
I saw the HPs Connie but haven't heard any reports on those. You think those are pretty good, too?
I mainly want to be able to write, read, do emails and browse the net a bit. Nothing big. Lets put it this way...I don't need photoshop on it. LOL
Since i can't get all of them, even when I do get money, I'll go for more bang for the buck. page turning isn't an issue for me either. I did convince someone today that eBooks are as good as print ones. LOL
Connie
My brother is a high up programmer at IBM and he got his wife a HP. They are good and hold up well (I'm on a HP laptop at the moment).
Yep, for writing, email, calendars and web surfing the netbook is the way to go. It's like buying a car, you need to see what options you want.
Hmmm. The HP sounds really good and I think the price is comparable.
Oh and YAY for you on spreading the word about ebooks!
If you want, maybe off loop, I can tell you the bigger selling points to watch for, if you don't already know.
GRIN Hey, I gotta help my friends!
That'd be GREAT, Connie. You have my addy. Drop me a line and fill me in on the specifics. This is so interesting.
THANKS!
MUAH!
Sure! I'll do that. :0)
I find it interest but but I usually bore people with it. LOL
Not me. I promise.
Cool! If I had money I would be a techno-phyle but since I don't I'm a bit of a computer geek. LOL
I've had an Acer Aspire netbook for the last couple of months, and it is great. Not only can I have Adobe Reader *and* Microsoft Lit reader on it, I have all my WiPs as well, plus the added bonus of a built-in wiFi for those useful hotspots at coffee bars and airports etc.
The only drawbacks I've found are the slow boot and log-out, [but mine is at the cheap end of the market and it only has 1g of RAM, so I shouldn't expect miracles] and that I have to pay for the Windows software after the trial periiod ran out. The solution to that was to download Open Office for free. It'll do rtf and doc files, so no problems there.
A trial would be great, Regina.
Chris, I've had not issues with boot and shut down -- so fast, it stuns me. I'm used to the slowness of my full size, that I think I can do other things while it does its thing, but it's done before I can get my butt out of the chair.
Mine didn't come with a Windows trial -- it came normal with the full Office 2007 package.
It's sounding like maybe not all the machines were equipped alike -- software or battery -- that's not good.
Connie -- my husband likes all the gadgets, too. I have to rein him in.
Bekki Lynn - my lack of money is what keeps me reigned in. LOL
They are no where close to all being the same. If you're going to buy a netbook you need the research the options. With Dell and HP you can basically build one to suit your needs, including software. When I have the money I'll probably buy from a local store unless I can get a good online deal.
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