Mac Book Air Vs Cheap Netbook

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vela.faltu

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Dear All,

I am considering buying a new small ultraportable or netbook. My requirements are:-

1) Great Battery Life
2) Programming
3) Surfing
4) Video Chat
5) Should run a Unix Variant (Ubuntu or OSX should do).

I mainly intend to use it to take notes in the classroom (so I should be able to use it all day). Further, I intend to use it for surfing. As my organizer. For light programming (python or C++).

Kindly suggest what I should go for?

50-60K - either Macbook Air
50-60K - cheap Netbook + laser printer + scanner + server (10K)
 
I would advise you to get a hp dm1z for about 25k.bump up the ram to 8gb and run virtual machines for any os you want.you can buy all other stuff too.
 
Thanks for the advice. It's just that the MBA is so enticing (I am waiting for the new one that'll probably be released by July end 2011). I think I'll go for a netbook or something in between like HPDM1Z or X120e from Lenovo.
 
If you have only light usage you can go for and laptop within 35k and spend the other money you got as per your needs

buying a macbook air would suffice your needs but then you would feel like having wasted a lot of money for no extra usage, thats what i feel and have heard by a couple of friends
 
Look out for netbooks under 25k. There are ones with 8-12 hr battery life from some companies, target them. They make the best buys. When it comes to buying a device for being on the move, you need gigantic batteries. And today netbooks surpass even many tablets in battery life. And with the new Ubuntu Unity netbook interface in 10.04 version your unix needs will be more than just satisfied.
 
A netbook is netbook. Underpowered. Low build quality. Cheap. A MacBook air uses a ulv CPU and has a decent integrated gfx card. So even light gaming is possible. No compromises on quality, performance or battery life. Plus with Sandy Bridge turbo boost, SSD and 4gb ram, the machine will outperform any netbook.

Now it all depends on your use, personally I need mine for light Photoshop/Flash work, so I am buying the new Air. If your needs are CPU intensive buy the Air, if not buy the HP netbook with a 11" 1366x768 screen. Brilliant res. Don't buy a 1024x600. Useless for most purposes if it's ur main machine.
 
I would like to differ on that. A netbook is powered right for its usual purpose. And I've seen netbooks with much much better build than entry level acer or samsung laptops.

Anyway there is also the Alienware m11x to consider along with MBA if OP wants to do stuff like photoshop on an ultra mobile. Also there is MSI CX340 and the AMD E-350 based laptops to consider that offer more power.
 
I recommended the hp dm1z to the OP because:
1.screen resolution better than netbooks-useful for programming and web surfing.
2.better graphics(windows experience index of 4.0.can play most games barring a few.
3.very easy to uograde.
4.7200 rpm hard drive
5.hd playback
6.more usb ports than MBA to run all the accessories you want.
7.overall more economical
8.good battery life
9.best amd fusion 11-12 inch notebook in the market.
10.If you are a student,you can buy a 22-24 screen for use at home with the money you save!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
After launch of MacBook Air:

steve-jobs-fixes-the-netbook-7834-1287633266-6.jpg


Jokes apart, there is no reason that you should get the horribly outdated Core2Duo MacBook Air right now. We are yet to see the SB refresh. Either wait for it or go for a netbook.
 
I am a student and I intend to primarily use the console, and some surfing and watching videos/movies on campus (not important). So, what I need is something I can carry everywhere with me without any worries and use it as a portable diary and other things rolled in one - a personal planner and a student notebook so to say. That's my intention. In that sense, the netbook will become my primary laptop as I'll be using it most of the times (My 14" laptop will be only used for watching movies, and CPU/GPU intensive programs such as MATLAB, etc).

I am not sure if I'll actually need 11 hours of battery backup. I think I will be close to a power source most of the times. but a nice portable cheap machine I guess I can carry without fear of losing or damaging due to rough handling.

I think the most important thing for me is the screen, keyboard, webcam, sound quality (headset is an alternative), mic because I'll be using this laptop all the time.

Is a 10" laptop worthwhile for a lot of usage for over two years? [I think I should start a separate thread for this as it is quite a pertinent question for everybody].

The new MBA will definitely have a good screen, a good full sized keyboard, good webcam. So, I think it'll be extremely good for heavy usage day in and day out. The only issue then is that of battery - 5 hours. Ah yes, there is the cost issue as well. Let's see.

I was thinking of a 10" netbook but it seems for extended usage, it's not such a good idea. Let me start a new thread for this question.
 
I've had my MBA for ~5 months now and I love it to bits. It handles anything I throw at it with consummate ease. It really is the perfect student laptop, IMHO.
 
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