I'd like a smartphone or iPhone, but....

[wraithfodder]

While the phones aren't too pricey, the monthly plans are too much. I mean, I'd have to dump cable if I did that, so.... I'm looking for a netbook, one of those mini PCs so I can check my email at lunch (since all email at work is considered 'evil' - so AOL, Yahoo - is blocked, as are all 'social networking' places, including now, sniffle, Twitter).

So, does anybody have one or recommend any or hints on what I should look for on one? Thanks in advance!

Comments

[rasmizar.livejournal.com]

I got an Acer Aspire One in January and I love it. =)

The netbooks in "my" price range (about 300 Euro, then) seemed to be quite similar regarding the technical stuff (Windows XP as OS, size of harddisk, RAM, processor, number of USB/SD slots, etc).

When I looked around at stores and tested several netbooks, I found my main criteria were:

- keyboard:
all of them have a relatively small keyboard of course, but the arrangement or slightly larger keys can make all the difference. Actually I choose the Aspire One mainly because it was the only one I could really write with

- display size / resolution:
the maximum (then) was 1024x600 px, which means more-often-than-usual vertical scrolling on websites or programs (and even not being able to use some programs because they simply need more vertical resolution); but that point may be moot, I think many netbooks have bigger displays now

- battery power:
sadly not the Aspire One's strongest suit (lasts only 2 hours), but may be an important point depending on how you plan to use the netbook

- general robustness *g*
(assumed you want to carry it around with you)

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Thanks for all the detailed info. This helps in making a decision. :)