Netbook for a mac lover

Pam,

I'm also a confirmed Mac user but also looking for something smaller, lighter and less expensive to travel with. While the MacBook Pro is a great computer, it's too big, too heavy and too expensive for "travel purposes". It would be a major problem if it was ever lost, stolen or damaged.

I've been looking at Netbooks for the last six months or so, and have more-or-less decided on the Toshiba NB305 which was just introduced recently (it's been getting some good reviews). I have to use XP at work, so I'm sure I can manage with a Windows 7 PC (however at work, I can call the IT Dept. to take care of any problems).

You might want to have a look at the "Netbook Software Question" Thread in this section, as I received some great feedback on software issues.

One point to mention regarding the "Hackintosh" computers. While they may still "look and feel" like a MAC, they will still have severe limitations with some software, as the "underpowered" processors used in Netbooks won't have the horsepower to run all applications. The conversion may also void the warranty?

I had great hopes for the IPad but unfortunately it seems to be more of a "multimedia" device, and while it will be great for the purpose it was designed for, I don't see it as a substitute for a Netbook. The 64GB memory is a bit low for my purposes. I'll continue using my IPod Touch for music, etc. and the Netbook for E-mail, blogging, etc. It would seem relatively easy to use the display from the IPad, attach a Keyboard, OS-X and a Hard Drive to make a MAC Netbook, but I doubt that APPLE has any plans to do so.

Good luck and happy travels!

We are a Mac family since the days of the IIe. Actually I am waiting for the iPad to see what it is capable of. In the meantime have been using an Asus Eee PC. It is adequate for storing photos, checkin email, etc. although a bit slow and only 4 or 5 hours battery life. Since it is a couple years old, I am sure there are better models available today. The netbooks are a big trade off in speed, functions etc. They are not a substitute for a good lap. So keep that in mind.

Thanks for the quick reply...I checked out the reviews of the ipad and am concerned about the keyboard. I love to blog back to friends/journal while we travel and I'm not sure that would be as comfortable as a regular keyboard. The rest of it sounds great.

We are confirmed mac users as well, and also look forward to getting our hands on an iPad. I think it should be noted, however, that it is others who place the iPad in the "netbook" category, not Apple. Apple intends this device as a multimedia experience and not a laptop substitute. So all the knashing of teeth out there regarding what the iPad is or isn't is all self-inflicted pain. The iPad is something new. It will likely be the best thing out there for watching a preloaded movie, surfing the net, doing email, and gaming - to say nothing of reading books or the world of a zillion apps. But if you think you need to write a novel while on vacation, edit a movie, or run any of the common software programs currently on your desktop, forget it. It was not intended to do that.

In fairness, though, while many windows netbooks DO do that, they do it poorly.

Every time I sit down at a windows machine I do so with high hopes - telling myself that it really isn't that much different than my Mac at home. Within ten minutes I want to throw the thing out the window. I'm a cheapskate in most respects, but I will pay extra to not hate my experience on a computer. It's worth that much to me.

If you absolutely must do "real" computer work while on the road, remember that the Macbook Pro 13" is quite compact and is a very powerful computer with 7 hours of battery life. If you don't want to spend $1200 or risk it being taken, I would seriously consider buying as used Macbook for around $600 either on eBay or at a used computer store. That's still a useful computer that runs all the programs you are familiar with.

Even if you find a netbook that you don't hate, as a confirmed Mac user, would you touch it while you were home? I doubt it. Buy something that is useful for more than just vacations.

"It will likely be the best thing out there for watching a preloaded movie, surfing the net, doing email, and gaming - to say nothing of reading books or the world of a zillion apps."
That's as long as you don't want to multi-task...and as long as you don't mind adding to the price by purchasing Apple's adapter cords so you can transfer stuff onto the iPad from other sources.
"while many windows netbooks DO do that, they do it poorly." I guess in the eye of the beholder....I've never had problems running what I need on Windows-based laptops or on the new netbooks. I guess it's what you're used to....and whether or not you want flexibility, or you want to be tied to Apple's apron strings.

Pam

The big issue I have with the netbooks is that the keyboard is too small for extensive typing. If you think you are going to go a lot of typing/word process then you need something with a bigger keyboard. As I said earlier, a netbook is not a substitute for a lap top.

Thanks for all the input! I love these boards. And I love the neverending Mac/PC debate. What I really think I'm looking for more than anything is a way to bore my most loyal friends at home with my blog while I travel. We do a lot of that these days in retirement so I feel justified in adding a new device to my techie repertoire. My iPhone is great but just a little terrifying overseas (god forbid I should forget to turn off the browser) and my laptop is too heavy and has too many irreplaceable things on it should it come to some unthinkable end while traveling. The iPad sounded like the answer but I can forgive Steve Jobs for having something else besides my own personal needs in mind. It may become another must have as my eyesight fails and I can no longer read the screen on my iPhone. But at this point I am resigned to making the effort to master a PC (without IT support). Perhaps I can rely on the kindness of strangers in a strange land. So it's off to Best Buy, armed with your sage advice. As intriguing as it sounds on your link, the hackintosh is way beyond my techspertise and any of that of my closest friends. Norm and Randy: Play nice! :)

I disagree with netbooks having small keyboards that make typing awkward. My 10 inch netbook has a keyboard that is over 90% the size of a regular keyboard. I really don't notice a difference from a regular keyboard.

Now if we're talking about speed, there's a big difference. But making it awkward to type? It all depends on what you buy.

I've used both a netbook and a tablet PC. For traveling, the tablet PC wins hands down. Both aren't real pleasant to use to type much on, but I have a folding keyboard that is small and lightweight that I can plug in if I know I'll have to do much typing. Adding it to the weight of the tablet doesn't equal the weight of the netbook, and I can leave it in the room and just carry the tablet when I'm out. In addition, the tablet has much better battery life.

To me, I am eager to see the Apple iPad because Apple has a well-deserved reputation for making things work well. It has a bigger screen than either the standard netbook or Windows-based tablet. That is going to be an advantage. The one downside: The lack of standard ports, such as USB ports. My tablet only has one, but I can plug a hub into that one and then plug in memory card readers, the keyboard, a mouse, etc.

If you are a "confirmed mac user" and don't use a PC much (or at all), you may quickly be frustrated with the Windows world. I'd give the iPad serious thought.

Paul,

"It has a bigger screen than either the standard netbook or Windows-based tablet"

Actually, most "standard netbooks" these days are equipped with a 10.1" display, and some of the newer ones have 11.6" screens. The IPad has a 9.7" display (according to the spec's I've seen so far).

I suspect the IPad will be a bit less "robust" than a Netbook, and more prone to being damaged during travels. I'll be going with a Netbook.

Cheers!

My netbook is from an earlier generation so my screen is smaller. I'm a big believer in traveling light. When a netbook's screen gets to be 10 inches and greater, the netbook is getting closer to being more like a laptop to me. Although it makes it easier to work with, that's too big for traveling . . . at least for my tastes.

Paul,

The displays on the newer Netbooks are only about 1.4" larger than the "early models". That's still a fairly small display, especially compared to the 15.4" screen on my MacBook Pro. With a weight of only about 2.5 lbs., the new models are still reasonably easy to "travel light" with.

Unfortunately, my eyes are not as good as they once were. Although it's not "ideal", the slightly larger screen will be somewhat easier for me.

Pam -

We just bought an iPad for a 4.5 month trip to Europe we are taking this Fall. I think it will be the perfect device. We got the $499 model WiFi only with 16GB of memory. I'm hoping to blog a bit on how it works out. As for backing up photos, we got the camera kit, will upload photos to the iPad and then to Flickr. We can also use the camera connection kit to upload movies for entertainment. I really like the the size, weight and typing on it is not too bad as long as you're not writing a novel. We also uploaded some game apps like Monopoly and Yahtzee and will buy some books as well. I think it will be the one stop shop for communication and entertainment.

One more thing, we also loaded the Skype app so we can call family back home for free or cheap. From what I've heard, WiFi is pretty readily available, especially in Northern Europe, so connecting should not be a problem. Hope it works out. We were in the same place, considering a netbook or iPad and I'm happy we went with the iPad. Cheers!

• Rick

Since this old thread has been revived I'll throw in a new comment. If I were Pam I'd get an iPad and then get an external keyboard -- one of the folding portable ones. I can't recall if the iPad has Bluetooth, but if it does, and if it worked with a keyboard, that would be the best solution. Otherwise, you have to use Apple's proprietary connectors.

The reason I say this is because typing on a netbook is hard for me. The keyboard is just too small and typing much of anything sets off my tendonitis. I've used a separate keyboard with my netbook and with my tablet PC (a Viliv running Windows XP) and I much prefer it. As someone noted in a February post, the weight of a portable keyboard plus table/iPad is still often less than a netbook.

Paul, Yes, people report using a Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad. I recall mention of a folding one (iGo?) and thought I would check it out if I tired of the on-screen keyboard. So far the built-in keyboard works fine for me (and I do more than the average amount of typing, though not the great American novel). When I'm back home I will probably experiment with some light USB keyboards I use when traveling with my PB ... the camera kit is supposed to support USB keyboards.

FWIW, the WiFi on the iPad is working better than on my iPhone. I turned on the iPad and it connected to the hotel's network without a hitch. It has even 'remembered' the hotel password for the entire week. My iPhone, OTOh, refuses to detect the hotel's network.

Just came back from Amsterdam, Prague and Brugge with an iPad, worked great, downloaded some apps for those cities which were semi-useful but at least fun and easy to use. They helped locate nearby restaurants, etc. Frommer's free app was great for currency conversion and time changes. Typing for email takes some getting used to, very sensitive to the slightest brush of a fingertip. We kept it locked in our rooms' safe at night, fits nicely! Went through airport scanners in the US within a backpack, but had to take it out only twice, once in Prague leaving and once in Amsterdam on the way back to the US. My wife also used it to read a book she bought for the trip, and to play games on boring train rides. Had to wait to get home to download/sync pics from our iMac (uploaded from our older digital camera) to the iPad, but a great cool way to show off pix to family and friends!

To bad NAC is something served at a fast food place only :) As you can tell, I the only Apples I like grow on a tree.

Back to the question: I use a Acer One Netbook. 7 - 8 hours battery life. 250gb hd, dual processors and Windows 7, the best OS from MS ever as far as I am concerned and I have delevoped software for every version since day one of PC's. This has a built in web cam, and card reader so I can empty my photos and also view them and edit them during long flights home.

Another vote for "stay away from windows netbooks" if you're a Mac lover like me! Last year I bought a HP Mini netbook and haven't touched it since my trip. I hate windows and it's already buggy and messed up after only using it for two weeks! I just got a 32Gb Wifi Ipad and I am SO GLAD I bought it. Now I have digital books, interactive magazines, all my favourite movies/tv shows, music, etc. And I can email and blog from anywhere (got the external keyboard for blogging--not a huge fan of touchscreen keyboards in general). IMO it was totally worth the expense, especially because i know I'll use this one every day instead of the HP Mini collecting dust, expensive battery replacements (that don't last long & are bulky) and a very very low resale value.

Darrell...send it to me.....I've used a netbook for a year now, and have run movies and music, cruised the internet, blogged, e-mailed, called home via Skype for free, stored and uploaded photos. I'll make sure I get good use out of your HP...

Same experience as Norm with my Dell Mini netbook running XP. Last summer I was able to watch the season finale of Lost via my slinbox and the wifi connection aboard the Thalys train from Paris to Amsterdam. On my non-stp flight from NYC to Hong Kong I was able to watch three seasons of Battlestar Glactica. Never had a single problem it, traveling through Europe, China, Hong Kong, and Mexico.
Also found a million uses for it around the house like watching the World Cup in my kitchen while preparing dinner:)

Pam,
As a fellow Mac user, my recommendation if you decide to get a windows netbook, is to educate yourself about virus protection software and exactly how to use it. A while ago I purchased an Acer netbook for travel (before the ipad was launched) and thought I was using the virus software correctly. However, the computer got a virus that has killed it. Evidently, I thought I had the settings correct but I guess it wasn't updating enough the way I had it set. I had no experience with virus protection software.
If I were journalling, I would back up either to a jump drive or by regularly emailing myself the text. My sister has just returned from a RS trip where she took a netbook and she is raving about the journaling benefit over writing every day by hand.

Just to wrap this up with a little closure...I got the ipad 3G and it worked out beautifully! I bought the lightweight apple blue tooth keyboard but decided to leave it home (packing light and all that). I didn't mind the touch pad keyboard at all and journaled happily. We were a little wifi deprived in small villages in Italy but when we had it the ipad was great. I didn't get the camera kit in time but I'll have it for the next trip. One glitch...in an attempt to access free wifi in Milan I inadvertantly powered down and the original connect to computer screen came up. A visit to an apple approved store about 2 blocks from our hotel resulted in an interesting Italian/English conversation with the genius there and he reconnected me...this glitch wasn't uncommon but could be a problem when you are thousands of miles away from your home computer. One other plus...if you aren't getting the attention of the waiter at a cafe in Europe...take out your ipad and you are the most popular patron there :).