Question Buying a netbook

[DanM]

My past few months have been characterized by increasing frustration with this failing, aging laptop and a clunky set up that makes it hard to move to where I prefer to study. I've decided to solve this by getting a netbook to use solely for school purposes (yes I know tablets are the way of the future, but a netbook meets my needs more closely).

I'm not planning on using it for any intense tasks, just web browsing, programming, word processing and CAS (currently I use Maxima, I might switch to MathCad, Mathematica or Matlab if I need to for class). Does anyone have a recommendation of which one I should buy or which brands I should stick to? My price range is open to anything around or under $200.

 

[Eccentrus]

well if Android have some equivalent of those programs, I can recommend the ASUS Transformers series, if not, the Vivabook from that manufacturer combines both world in quite the affordable package, although I won't commend it for its processing power. IF you need both mobility and power absolutely, then the new Surface Pro series from Microsoft will be the better fit, although with a hefty pricetag attached to it.

 

[IronRain]

It looks like you need quite some calculation power (not sure because I don't know the programs but it looks like it), so are you sure you want a netbook, especially with a $200 budget? Word processing won't be a problem, but I'm afraid coding (read: compiling) for example will.

 

[Quick_Nick]

My recommendation is always Dell Outlet's refurbished laptops with a 20-30% coupon on top. Their refurbished laptops are good as new but much cheaper.
They currently have summer deals up to 30% off.
I think you're still going to have to raise your budget though.
For $340, after 25% off coupon code and $25 tax, I got an Inspiron 15 with an i3-3227U and 6GB of RAM.
I haven't actually had to download CAD, Matlab, etc yet though. I just remote desktop into the campus computer lab.

 

[gertz]

Anything but with Intel GMA 3600 inside - it is the only worst case.

 

[movieman]

I have a Transformer and wasn't that impressed with it; the keyboard dock seems like a good idea until you try to use it, then it wants to topple over all the time because all the weight is in the tablet.

I don't think you can buy netbooks any more, because I tried to find one when the keyboard on ours broke last year, and ended up just buying a replacement keyboard. But there are a number of reasonably cheap 11-12" laptops which will do the same job.