NetBook for reading

[ronnn]

Would like a netbook for the normal stuff - browsing/email/video - but would also like to be able to read down loadable books without killing my eyes.

So I assume I need one with a good screen and the power to run word to be able to resize the fonts and whatever. Any recommendations?

 

[CrazyLazy]

Most netbooks have built in magnifier software. Even I think I would have trouble reading an entire book on it. You might just want to go with a Kindle but what you have described.

 

[ronnn]

They do look interesting, but I would like the functionality of a netbook.

 

[ronnn]

ASUS Eee PC 1000HA These look pretty good?

 

[MSP]

I have the Acer Aspire One and like it a lot. From my reading it would seem the Asus 1000HA, MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One, and Dell Mini were the ones to get. I chose solely based on price.

 

[ronnn]

thanks

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: MSP
I have the Acer Aspire One and like it a lot. From my reading it would seem the Asus 1000HA, MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One, and Dell Mini were the ones to get. I chose solely based on price.

Don't forget the Samsung NC10, which many reviewers feel is the best netbook on the market (and the one I have chosen to buy).

 

[MSP]

Oh yeah, those are nice. Samsung didn't have a SSD or Linux offering, plus it was an inch longer and wider. It wouldn't have fit in my coat pocket! Not to mention it was out of my budget. I picked up my One for $239!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: MSP
Oh yeah, those are nice. Samsung didn't have a SSD or Linux offering, plus it was an inch longer and wider. It wouldn't have fit in my coat pocket! Not to mention it was out of my budget. I picked up my One for $239!

I hear ya. For me a 10" machine with a big keyboard is realistically the smallest I can tolerate - I am 6'4" and have big hands - plus I have no interest in Linux or SSD, but I fully understand my priorities are not necessarily everyone else's.

 

[Christobevii3]

The samsung nc20 is a 12" and comes out in a week from monday.

 

[sindows]

Here is my opinion when it comes to reading something on a netbook, IMO none of them are good at all. Their screens are just too small for a comfortable viewing solution. The smallest laptop that I would consider for comfortable use is a 12" none widescreen laptop or a 13.3" widescreen notebook. Its not just the dot pitch either, there is just something wrong about staring at a 9" screen. A XGA+ 14.1" screen is much more tolerable than a 9" screen and they have similar dot pitches. I would suggest that you go to BestBuy and try them out for yourself.

 

[between]

 

[nortexoid]

if reading is your primary purpose there are much better ebook readers for that. some even have web browsing capabilities (some with hacks, and buggy). they're certainly much easier on the eyes, and if you're hungry, you can eat them.

 

[Emulex]

the dell mini-9 has a fantastic screen. but sadly backlit screens are painful to read from compared to e-ink.

 

[zerogear]

backlight ultimately equals eyestrain.

 

[ronnn]

Yes I would like an ebook reader, but not one that needs the sony store or whatever to get books.

 

[Skott]

I have Kindle e-book reader and I love it. You have to be a heavy reader though to get full value out of them since they are expensive. If you only read one or two books a month then a e-book reader like the Kindle probably isnt the right way to go. Considering the price of of netbooks I'd say they probably are not the right way to go either if you only read one or two books a month.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Yes I would like an ebook reader, but not one that needs the sony store or whatever to get books.

Sony ereader and kindle don't require either stores to get books. They're just options. But the books you buy from them are lock to their own proprietary format so that only their own readers can read them.

 

[Emulex]

theres like 100gb of books on demonoid

 

[ronnn]

Ok just looked at a sony ebook and am sold, but the $350 Canadian is tough to swallow. Still I will get one after a bit of price watching. I like the battery life, size and ease to read.

The bad part is I will still need a net book. :disgust:

 

[zerogear]

Well, in the end, its all down to what you need first Reading or a netbook? I bought my netbook, I'm still saving up for a eReader 700

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Ok just looked at a sony ebook and am sold, but the $350 Canadian is tough to swallow. Still I will get one after a bit of price watching. I like the battery life, size and ease to read.

The bad part is I will still need a net book. :disgust:

If you'll get a netbook anyway, why not start with that. It may work well enough for your ebook needs, and you'll save the expense. If not, you were going to buy 2 machines anyway...