Small netbook Laptop for travel
 

We will be traveling to Ireland in August and wondered if anyone has had experience with taking their laptops to help with researching addresses, destinations, etc. I bought an Acer netbook specifically for the trip but now have some second thoughts on its usefulness. If anyone can help me decide, I will appreciate it very much.

I have a Asus EEE that I take with me. I use it to look up train schedules, weather, email, music, and to watch movies at night. I can also access my bank accounts to transfer money or pay bills. It's small, weighs only 2 lbs. so it's worth it to me.

I LOVE my netbook! I bought it for a trip to Germany last year and used it for checking train schedules, restaurant hours, mapping, etc. It is so much easier to carry than my
laptop. And if I happen to stay somewhere without WiFi I can easily tote it to a coffee shop or other hot spot. It is actually faster than my HP laptop. I have downloaded Google Earth and a couple of games and still have plenty of space and speed.

Since there's usually no CD/DVD drive on a netbook people often think they can't watch a movie or two.... so put movies onto a USB thumb drive.

If you use DivX you can fit several movies per drive and watch them from there. Uses much less power than watching off the netbook's hard drive.

Rob

You can also add Microsoft's AutoRoute program to the computer and now you have mapping and a GPS!

I also have an ASUS EEE mini and took it on two trips this year - Spain and Japan. Most places I stayed had wifi or LAN access. I found it so convenient to keep in touch with friends and family as well as look things up like train schedules, addresses, etc. I also was able to upload some photos to Picasa so people at home could travel along with me. I can't imagine going without it now.

We bought our Acer recently after hauling a "photo wallet" storage device to Africa last year. Our netbook isn't that much bigger. We can download digital photos directly from the memory card to the 160GB hard drive -- and still have all the other computer functions. If you install Skype you can also use it to call home cheaply (or for free if others are also on Skype).

I usually take my laptop with me. I use it for GPS, photo storage and communications. Smaller is certainly better in my opinion and if the netbooks work, then so much the better. I haven't tried one, but I may if I keep reading positive comments.

I also have a Eee and love it. We often travel "space available" (family member is airline pilot) and cannot make hotel reservations before we are assigned confirmed seats at the airport. WiFi is available at most airport--sometimes for free, sometimes a credit card is all it takes. We are really happy with the Eee.

I have the Acer and won't travel without it now!

I bought a Lenovo S10 before my recent trip, and it has totally replaced my previous laptop (I also have a desktop). I had wi-fi in all my hotels (I spent a month in France), and I loved not having to trek around to find an Internet cafe, and being able to check things at night.

However, I travel very light, and even though the Lenovo doesn't weigh much, by the time you add in the weight of the power cord, and of the bigger daypack with padding, I'm not sure I would take it on a more adventurous trip.

Love my Acer, wouldn't leave home without it!

Thank you- your responses have helped- I'm keeping it!! Now I need a tutor to teach me all the functions you speak of getting on this little wonder. Happy and safe travels to all.

I have netbook envy. I saw one of my co-workers this past week now I'm lusting after new electronics.

Am I correct that this would be an easy backup for photos from my digital camera while traveling?

I can put the SD card from my camera into a slot on my netbook, and just copy the contents. Then I upload the photos from the netbook to smugmug, so they're doubly backed up. Dead easy!

I'm reading the specs on some but I don't see electricity mentioned. Am I correct that they are all dual voltage? Do I just need to get an adaptor for where I'm traveling or is it more complicated than that?

I've considered these notebooks, and maybe I'm too frugal, but it's just not worth it to me. And to have yet another piece of electronics to worry about, in terms of theft and carrying-around are other factors. I will admit, however, that I have a blackberry (provided by my employer), and I use it for a lot of the things you mention here - check museum and restaurant times, look up restaurants or restaurant reviews, check the news, weather, and email to friends and family back home. Maybe I would feel differently if I didn't have that. And I guess we don't take enough pictures on trips to have to keep on uploading them, so we don't need that capability.

<i>Am I correct that they are all dual voltage?</i>

That is probably a safe assumption. I have never seen a laptop that isn't dual voltage.

<i>Do I just need to get an adaptor for where I'm traveling or is it more complicated than that?</i>

You will need to get just the plug adaptor, but you won't need a voltage converter. You can also replace the cord that feeds into the power brick, but I wouldn't bother for a vacation, only if moving for an extended period.

Personally, I always take a laptop. I have the Vaio P which is amazingly small and light, but often have to lug along my work laptop, as well.

I've taken my Asus EEE on three trips to Europe in the past year and will continue to do so. The WIFI is great when it works but not always. It did work on the Stena Line ferry from Wales to Ireland and the trains from Edinburgh to London. This idle time is great for catching up on emails. The train also has a power outlet so the battery doesn't run down (UK/US plug adapter required). It came with plenty of software in Linux. I did my expense report on the spreadsheet while flying home. The SD slot allowed me to review photos in Picasa and copy them to a flash drive. The Asus EEE is a great little tool.

As mentioned laptops and netbooks are all dual voltage needing only a plug adapter but don't forget a surge protector!

A travel version is small and takes little space and costs about 30 bucks. You have no idea of the power quality where you're headed so don't take a chance.

Rob

Thank you ParisAmsterdam and travelgourmet for the information. :)

I do have a laptop but mine has a 17 inch screen. Definitely not the easiest to tuck into my bag. I'm thinking that this is probably my next new toy.

Here's a link for probably more info than you need, or want:
http://www.netbooknow.net/

Most of the Linux units have small, Solid State drives, while the Windows-based generally have a conventional, 160 Gig Hard drive.

The BIG draw to netbooks is size and weight, but there are trade-offs. You can store and view pix, but you won't want to do any significant editing or manipulation on one. The WiFi does present some security issues -- dunno if I'd use it to juggle my bank or credit card accounts.

The REAL key, though, is Battary Life. SOME of the better designed units can go up to NINE hours without a recharge.

I purchased an Assus 1000HE for my upcoming trip, but I'm kinda wishing that I'd waited for the new 1000HA.

Seems like they are introducing newer, better EVERY day ...
;)

Bob

Bob, my understanding is that solid state drives are the way to go, tougher and won't break as easily, very important for a travel accessory. Is this true? My DH is a huge Linux geek, but I really don't want to learn a 3rd OS (am finally getting comfortable with OS X, after switching to a Mac so I don't have to deal with Vista).

I have read great reviews of the 1000HA: I, too, have had a very bad case of netbook lust for a few months!

"The WiFi does present some security issues" - no more than the security issues in an Internet cafe. And some hotels have secure wi-fi. I stayed in one in France recently that had broadband, which my netbook was able to use.

<I>Itallian_Chauffer on May 23, 09 at 09:28 AM

The WiFi does present some security issues -- dunno if I'd use it to juggle my bank or credit card accounts.</i>

Wireless is no more or less secure than wired if you just follow the rules. Transactions with financial sites are encrypted before leaving the computer, in any case.

Here's your $50 GPS:

http://shop4.frys.com/product/4900291 (This is $29-20 in this week's ad. Dunno about web sales.)
They're also advertising AutoRoute for $39.

<i>my understanding is that solid state drives are the way to go, tougher and won't break as easily, very important for a travel accessory.</i>

Theoretically, yes. But have you ever had a hard drive fail? This isn't to say that conventional hard drives don't fail, just that they are pretty darn reliable and I would think you would have relatively little to worry about whether you went with a solid state drive or a conventional hard drive.

I would stick with the Windows unit if that is what you are comfortable with and not worry about the hard drive.

Sorry, I misspoke. It's Streets & Trips, for $34.99
http://www.frys.com/product/5705962

My notebook is the ASUS Eee PC 1000 10-Inch Netbook 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor, 1 GB RAM, 40 GB Solid State Drive. I don't need 160 GB. In fact I don't need 40 GB. Linux uses icons on the screen like Windows, which copied the idea from Apple. It is organized a bit different but easy to adapt to.

What I haven't found yet is a straight ASCII text editor for Linux, like Wordpad.

moldy - yep, put it on your list and watch the sales. I got the Acer Aspire One at Costco a year or so ago and LOVE it for travel. Small and light enough to tote around easily (especially compared to that 17" monster) and great battery life. I got the extended battery and it runs for six hours or more between charges. I have had no problems with the WiFi - in fact, it seems to pick up signals where my larger laptop does not.
The only downside I can see is the lack of an optical (CD/DVD) drive, which is far from a deal killer. With large capacity flash drives available relatively cheaply these days, you can even load a movie on one and transfer it to the hard drive if you want. I purchased a slim line external CD/DVD RW drive for about $90 on ebay, and the read only ones are even cheaper.

Just a quick little hello to my fellow Texan, Seamus. <):)



Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've definitely decided that I NEED one of these.

<I>spaarne on May 23, 09 at 10:42 AM

Linux uses icons on the screen like Windows, which copied the idea from Apple.</I>

The history of GUI is a little fuzzy, but it appears that Gates and Jobs both stole the idea from Xerox PARC at about the same time.

anyone have any experience with the Samsung N110? It seems to be well reviewed.

and, I found some info here: http://www.laptopmag.com/l/netbooks.aspx#Tips on upgrading RAM and hard drives on some Asus and Acer netbooks - don't know what that would do to the warranty. 1G of RAM isn't much, these days...

<I>The only downside I can see is the lack of an optical (CD/DVD) drive,</i>

An optical drive on any battery-operated computer is a liability. The laser that reads the disc is a power hog, and will deplete a battery toot sweet. Watching movies from the hard drive is much better, and (as noted above) from a solid state drive such as a thumb memory better still.

Robes,

I thought you would reply, but I thought you would tell me where to get a Linux text editor.

BTW, I was using an Apple with icons in 1984, nearly a decade before Windowns came out. IIRC, Apple sued MS but lost.

I had an Acer Aspire one - I loved it. The Linpus linux was a little quirky, but quite usable, but I did eventually replace it with Windows XP. I found it invaluable when travelling.

I disagree with the statement "1GB of RAM is not much these days" - even the 512 Mb of my Acer was plenty. (I did put an additional 1GB into the machine - cost around $17, but was quite fiddly to install - it did not make a huge difference) The thing to remember is that these are small, relatively low powered PCs - they are not designed to edit movies, run photoshop or play high end games.

I use mine for writing up my trip diary, storing and browsing photos (nearly all netbooks have a card reader), reading and writing Email, and surfing the net. For these functions it is almost perfect. In addition, the built in webcam made it perfect for using with Skype.

The netbook travelled with me to many places in the UK, to Dublin, Amsterdam, Naples and other parts of Southern Italy and finally to Cape Town where my father fell in love with it - it seemed cruel not to pass it on to him. My new Netbook will hopefully arrive next week - a Lenovo S10.

I would almost classify the netbook as a travel essential.

Hi:

I want to buy an ACER AOD25 netbook for an upcoming trip to Germany, and all I want to do is email and occasionally read a newspaper in English. It's got great reviews all over the Net, but I can't find a definite answer to this question: is it dual voltage? If it is, then all I need is a combo adaptor/surge protector like the kind Magellan sells. But I don't want to buy anything unless I know I can use it there. Can someone tell me for sure? There's no ACER available for inspection where I live, and the web site doesn't offer help unless you buy one.

Back in May or so I answered this thread with an "I'm considering it". Well, HP won out with their netbook. I'll let you guys know how it works out, because it is going to take a beating on this trip,

RE: ACER AOD25

Acer says 100-240V AC AutoSensing Adapter

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/ne...OD250sp2.shtml

Thanks, Greg.

I called ACER and they said none of their netbooks were dual voltage but would work in Europe with the correct power adaptor. So now I'm confused.