11,6 inch netbook for a future university student

[Battery low]

Hi all!
In a couple of months I'll begin to study at the university and I want to ask you what would you choose if you were me.

I need a silent 11,6' netbook/subnotebook with a decent battery life. I don't need a "fast" CPU (if is possible call "fast" a ULV CPU), just a chip that allow me to use the Microsoft Office suite and a C compiler (just for simple exercises) without huge lags.

I found a couple of 11,6'' PCs with this characteristics, the Aspire One 725 and the Asus Eee PC 1225C.

The Asus has a better battery life, but his CPU (Atom N2600) is extremely slow... I read it can show 1080p videos sometime with lags. You know, I'll not watch video in Full HD at the university, but my camera is a 1080p model and having problems with this video on the netbook would not be happy. I think, this Asus should create less heat than the Aspire One, due to the lower TDP and the 32 nm CPU (vs the 40 nm of the Aspire One)

On the other side, the Aspire One 725 has a slightly better processor, AMD's C-60/70 APU, that is capable of 1080p videos (on YouTube too).

I found both this netbooks/subnotebooks just over 210 € (270 USD) and this price is affordable for me, but both these CPU are 2 years old and both will be replaced soon by Bay Trail and Temash/Kabini. These platforms will have lower TDP than Clover Trail and Brazos and I hope there will be fanless netbooks.

My question is: if you were me, would you wait 2-3 month and buy a Temash/Kabini netbook (or more month for Bay Trail), maybe buying a more expensive netbook or would you buy and Aspire One 725/Eee PC 1225C?

Bye,
my apologies for my bad english. I swear I didn't use any translator: I like challanges

 

[ggadrian]

Hi all!
In a couple of months I'll begin to study at the university and I want to ask you what would you choose if you were me.

I need a silent 11,6' netbook/subnotebook with a decent battery life. I don't need a "fast" CPU (if is possible call "fast" a ULV CPU), just a chip that allow me to use the Microsoft Office suite and a C compiler (just for simple exercises) without huge lags.

I found a couple of 11,6'' PCs with this characteristics, the Aspire One 725 and the Asus Eee PC 1225C.

The Asus has a better battery life, but his CPU (Atom N2600) is extremely slow... I read it can show 1080p videos sometime with lags. You know, I'll not watch video in Full HD at the university, but my camera is a 1080p model and having problems with this video on the netbook would not be happy. I think, this Asus should create less heat than the Aspire One, due to the lower TDP and the 32 nm CPU (vs the 40 nm of the Aspire One)

On the other side, the Aspire One 725 has a slightly better processor, AMD's C-60/70 APU, that is capable of 1080p videos (on YouTube too).

I found both this netbooks/subnotebooks just over 210 € (270 USD) and this price is affordable for me, but both these CPU are 2 years old and both will be replaced soon by Bay Trail and Temash/Kabini. These platforms will have lower TDP than Clover Trail and Brazos and I hope there will be fanless netbooks.

My question is: if you were me, would you wait 2-3 month and buy a Temash/Kabini netbook (or more month for Bay Trail), maybe buying a more expensive netbook or would you buy and Aspire One 725/Eee PC 1225C?

Bye,
my apologies for my bad english. I swear I didn't use any translator: I like challanges

I would wait and buy a 400€ thin&light with the new AMD or intel processors. The difference in performace is going to be more than noticeable.

I wouldn't recomend a 210€ notebook if you're going to use it every day at school, you're gonna end hating it for being underpowered in a few weeks.

For people that works in $: in electronics usually 1€ = 1$.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't follow AMD much anymore. But it seems like when AMD launches processors, it takes a while before they show up in products. So I'm not sure I'd wait for an AMD netbook, unless you already know of one that is already in the works.

Baytrail just seems too far out to wait for. Sounds like Christmas time. I'm not that patient.

Unfortunately all the Atoms other than maybe Clovertrail+ suck at 1080p video. And I'm not sure why Clovertrail+ has only shown up in phones, not sure if this will ever arrive in tablets or netbooks. I did see one convertible coming that pairs a Clovertrail+ in the tablet section and an Intel Core i-series something in the base and it runs Android and Windows, sounds neat and expensive. But other than that, haven't heard a whisper about a Clovertrail+ only netbook or tablet. It's a shame, seems like a Z2580 would be much better than the Z2760.

 

[cheesehead]

Spending anything less than $400 on a laptop is a poor decision. Either you're receiving a product with very poor build quality, or you're buying an Atom-based netbook unsuitable even for viewing YouTube.

You can get a secondhand X60s for around this price on eBay. It would be a better investment.

 

[Sweepr]

How about this Acer $299: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-AO...QTI_B009AANCLK

Celeron 847 is a dual-core Sandy Bridge running at 1.1GHz, fairly capable CPU (compared to the average netbook).
Also worth noting that Bay Trail-M (next gen mobile Atom) will be realeased in September.

 

[Torn Mind]

Old Atoms are rubbish, although the dual core Atoms might be "passable" compared to those godawful single core Atoms. But HD video, forget about it.


C-series APUs might be a bit better, but they're still sluggish.

Not to mention you will be getting a 5400 RPM HDD to worsen your experience.

 

[Zorander]

What is your reason for wanting something as small as a 11-12in netbook? I'm guessing you plan to carry it around, hence need for something as light and small as possible? Keep in mind however, with netbooks, you will sacrifice power/speed (lots of pauses - frustrating) and viewable areas (be prepared to squint a lot). 720p or 768p resolution is the highest resolution you will find. No 1080p.

For uni work, I honestly recommend you go for something higher than a Netbook. It will be far less painful to use. There are plenty of i3-powered 13" models out there. If you want something light and light, this will fit the bill. They are also far more powerful (and useable) than Netbooks.

 

[lightningbaron]

Not necessarily in your budget range, but the Asus X202E is in the size of 11.6". The only downsides are the 2 cell battery and charging is slow.

http://www.amazon.com/VivoBook-X202E...rds=asus+X202E

 

[cbk]

Your English is fine! Wouldn't of even guessed you where not English! Maybe French? I know they use commas instead of decimals, and decimals as commas. (Ex. In English, 11,6" would be 11.6") This Asus X201E has great build quality, with a decent price, the version with Ubuntu is $300, but the Windows version is $380. The Celeron 847 will power what you need. The only downside is that it is a bit loud, but the sound of a conversation or a TV in the background will dampen it.

Windows 8:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-X201E-DS...dp/B00B7JRH9U/ref=amtcd_B00BQH8QTI_B00B7JRH9U

Ubuntu:
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-X201E-DH0.../dp/B009F1I16K

 

[cbk]

What is your reason for wanting something as small as a 11-12in netbook? I'm guessing you plan to carry it around, hence need for something as light and small as possible? Keep in mind however, with netbooks, you will sacrifice power/speed (lots of pauses - frustrating) and viewable areas (be prepared to squint a lot). 720p or 768p resolution is the highest resolution you will find. No 1080p.

For uni work, I honestly recommend you go for something higher than a Netbook. It will be far less painful to use. There are plenty of i3-powered 13" models out there. If you want something light and light, this will fit the bill. They are also far more powerful (and useable) than Netbooks.

If the OP wants something a bit bigger, the Asus X501A is a great buy. The Pentium runs videos and streams at 1080p like a boss on it's 15.6" display. I am using one right now, and it is bliss. It's a steal, at only $320! There is a Celeron and an i3 verison, but I don't think you really need something more than the Pentium.

Windows 8:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...FVNo7Aod53wANg

 

[Zorander]

If the OP wants something a bit bigger, the Asus X501A is a great buy. The Pentium runs videos and streams at 1080p like a boss on it's 15.6" display. I am using one right now, and it is bliss. It's a steal, at only $320! There is a Celeron and an i3 verison, but I don't think you really need something more than the Pentium.

Good buy at that price indeed, as long as OP is ok with the weight of a 15.6" laptop.

 

[Sheep221]

OP I recommend to buy used 2 years old dual core Dell laptop or something with either APU or i3 - i5 CPU, don't buy netbook, it's piece of shit intended only for text chatting, not a serious video/programming work, this can be said even about the newest ones.

 

[Chiropteran]

Pay a little more and get one of these-

http://www.amazon.com/VivoBook-X202E...VivoBook+X202E

Best you can get in the form factor, and it's really not that much more expensive.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I suspect he's looking at Atom netbooks because he's looking for something with longer battery life and doesn't mind sacrificing performance for it. These low end laptops with 2 cell batteries and Ivy Bridge processors are probably only going to get him about 3 or 4 hours versus the 7 or 8 hours with an Atom.

I don't really pay attention to netbook, so don't know if there is anything with an Atom Z2760 or Z2580 in it. My focus is more on the tablets and convertibles, but they are more expensive. I think an HP Envy X2 or Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500T seem to be among the better Atom tablets with decent keyboards. The Lenovo Lynx Atom tablet is only $350 and it's an okayish cheap feeling tablet that works just fine. However you'll want to use a bluetooth keyboard with it since the optional keyboard dock is horrible.

 

[Whiskey16]

Old Atoms are rubbish, although the dual core Atoms might be "passable" compared to those godawful single core Atoms. But HD video, forget about it.

Incorrect. Clovertrail Z2760 systems are quite capable of rendering 1080 at fairly high bitrates, when using software that supports DXVA for this hardware. Potplayer is one example of exceptional rendering with CPU usage peaking at around 30%.

For the OP, I strongly recommend an Atom Clovertrail Z2760 system. Other than cost, it will meet the rest of his requirements and exceed every x86/AMD64 alternative in battery life. The one problem will be that of price, as only a few of the tablets retail less than US$400 and then a keyboard would be needed. As the previous poster noted, all of the hybrid docking systems do cost more.

When with a good keyboard and running MS Office, this currently is the only and best route for an all day 11" and a silent use platform for a student.

 

[Battery low]

What is your reason for wanting something as small as a 11-12in netbook? I'm guessing you plan to carry it around, hence need for something as light and small as possible?

I'm looking for a netbook because I don't like tablets and hybrid PCs (subnotebook/tablet).

Keep in mind however, with netbooks, you will sacrifice power/speed (lots of pauses - frustrating) and viewable areas (be prepared to squint a lot). 720p or 768p resolution is the highest resolution you will find. No 1080p.

The low power of netbooks' CPUs is not a problem for me. I own a notebook yet (with an enough fast, for me, i5-3210), but it is a 15.6'' and is 2.35 KG heavy, too big and too heavy to be carry around every day when there are thousands of people in the underground and hudreds on trains.
Yes, I know 720p or 768p is the highest resolution in 99% of netbooks, but I can't say right now that I'll not plug it to a TV or a 1080p monitor i.e. showing videos of my holidays in Full HD.

Your English is fine! Wouldn't of even guessed you where not English! Maybe French? I know they use commas instead of decimals, and decimals as commas. (Ex. In English, 11,6" would be 11.6")

Thank you! Yes, here in Europe we use "your decimals" as "commas" and viceversa (honestly I'm not sure if they use is in Germany and UK too).

If the OP wants something a bit bigger, the Asus X501A is a great buy. The Pentium runs videos and streams at 1080p like a boss on it's 15.6" display. I am using one right now, and it is bliss. It's a steal, at only $320! There is a Celeron and an i3 verison, but I don't think you really need something more than the Pentium.

Just one information: what does "OP" mean? I'm sorry... right now I don't know what is its meaning!

don't buy netbook, it's piece of shit intended only for text chatting, not a serious video/programming work, this can be said even about the newest ones.

I'll use Word, PowerPoint, maybe Excel, and a C compiler just for an exam, I don't need anything more than half performance of the slowest Celeron or A4 APU on the market. The problem is that these processors usually in most of netbooks create a lot of heat, that means a lot of work for the system fan --> louder PC.

I suspect he's looking at Atom netbooks because he's looking for something with longer battery life and doesn't mind sacrificing performance for it. These low end laptops with 2 cell batteries and Ivy Bridge processors are probably only going to get him about 3 or 4 hours versus the 7 or 8 hours with an Atom.

You got it!

 

[Torn Mind]

Incorrect. Clovertrail Z2760 systems are quite capable of rendering 1080 at fairly high bitrates, when using software that supports DXVA for this hardware. Potplayer is one example of exceptional rendering with CPU usage peaking at around 30%.

For the OP, I strongly recommend an Atom Clovertrail Z2760 system. Other than cost, it will meet the rest of his requirements and exceed every x86/AMD64 alternative in battery life. The one problem will be that of price, as only a few of the tablets retail less than US$400 and then a keyboard would be needed. As the previous poster noted, all of the hybrid docking systems do cost more.

When with a good keyboard and running MS Office, this currently is the only and best route for an all day 11" and a silent use platform for a student.

That statement was made in reference to "old Atoms"; my wording in the prior statement after the conjunction "although" not quite clear on that.

He's also NOT look for tablets and convertibles, so your "new Atom" pimping is not helping him out in any way.

 

[Torn Mind]

Noise is better controlled through Windows power management and setting it to power saver setting. Netbooks will have worse heatsinks and smaller fans.

I know my family's Toshiba NB505's fan will be run because the XFCE desktop environment's power management is garbage and keeps the clockspeed at 1.66 Ghz, which is enough to have that N455 processor run HOT(50+ degrees Celsius).

 

[Ancalagon44]

What about the new Acer V5? It is 11.6 inches big and has the new AMD CPU. However, it only has the lower SKUs of it, which could mean it is underpowered.

I wish the manufacturers would hurry up and bring the new AMD chips to market. Interestingly, news articles mention that HP was supposed to release its new Touchsmart 11 netbook around the end of June - I dont see it yet, other than on the HP.com website.

 

[Battery low]

What about the new Acer V5? It is 11.6 inches big and has the new AMD CPU. However, it only has the lower SKUs of it, which could mean it is underpowered.

The Acer Aspire V5 is a nice PC, but where did you read that it has the new AMD CPUs? (I mean Temash or Kabini) I found only V5 versions with AMD C-60, or low-end Celeron 877.

 

[Whiskey16]

He's also NOT look for tablets and convertibles, so your "new Atom" pimping is not helping him out in any way.

Yes, yet the rest of his requirements lend to a Clovertrail Z2760 platform and I don't think any of us are away of a laptop form factor using that latest Atom release.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Unfortunately tablets have pretty much killed the netbook market. Don't think anyone is really making netbooks anymore. So he might have to consider a tablet convertible if he want's an x86 PC with really long battery life. Or just experiment with an older netbook.

 

[Battery low]

Yes, yet the rest of his requirements lend to a Clovertrail Z2760 platform and I don't think any of us are away of a laptop form factor using that latest Atom release.

Probably right now the best thing I can do is wait the launch on the market of new subnotebook with an AMD Temash A4-1200 APU (the one with a TDP of 3.9 Watts, hoping there will be fanless models).

Unfortunately tablets have pretty much killed the netbook market. Don't think anyone is really making netbooks anymore.

I think Acer (at least) will produce others 11.6'' in the future

 

[Zorander]

Hi Battery_low (you are the OP),

I own an AMD C50-powered Netbook so I speak from experience. I use it a lot for playing movies (DXVA-enabled decoding) on a TV and it works beautifully. However, for general web browsing or even installing OS patches, it is noticably laggy. Gaming and non-accelerated video playback are impossible, thanks to its meagre 1GHz speed.

This thing is noisy too under the load (I honestly doubt there are any quiet models at that price level).

If you are set on getting a low-powered CPU, I strongly suggest going for at least an E-450 or E1-1800 processor. They have a 650-700MHz lead over the C-series processors and will thus be more usable. They don't cost much more either.

Regards.

 

[cbk]

Good buy at that price indeed, as long as OP is ok with the weight of a 15.6" laptop.

That is why I am planning to buy a X201E, I can't carry this X501A around.