Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Best netbook for the money?

bc008

bc008

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Aug 6, 2007
1,718
0
Michigan
I was wondering what netbook would be the best for me. I want one for christmas, and my mom is probably going to get one for me and my brother for our main gift. we already have powerful desktop computers, so we only need the bare minimum web machine. What do you think would be the best? any online deals still going on today or cyber monday? thanks! :p
 
If you're not trying to put OSX on it, then just get the cheapest one you can find. Pretty much all netbooks have the same internals. Most are Intel Atom processors, 160gb HD, and 1gb of RAM.
 
striatedglutes said:
Are you trying to put OS X on it? Not sure why you'd be asking here otherwise...
Click to expand...
Because people come here all of the time asking silly questions. IE: What's wrong with them medically, what to do about a bully, whether they should ask a girl out or not, etc etc. So ... you can move along if you don't want to answer.

My answer is the Dell Mini 10V. At $329 ($300 on Dell's site a lot of the time) it is a great machine and can run OS X with pure ease should you wish to go that route.
 
I have an Asus 1008ha and its a great little netbook. If you don't need super-portability, try the 1005ha which is cheaper. Asus netbooks come in Value and Premium versions. The value versions have lower res cameras, wireless g instead of n, no bluetooth, Atom n270 instead of n280 prcessors and lower capacity batteries. You should be able to find one for under $300.

As a general rule, look for a netbook with a 10" screen (smaller ones are almost unusable for me) and good size trackpads.
 
We have several at the office. My current votes goes to either:

1. The latest HP Unit
2. The Toshiba
3. The Dell Mini
 
thanks for all the quick responses. I do plan to put OS X on it eventually, but it isnt a deal breaker. MBA is out of the question :p Sub $300 would be best.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
rgarjr said:
Didn't know apple made netbooks.. :p
Click to expand...

You must be new here, or new to computers. Some years ago, PCs ran on most Intel chips/chipsets and Macs were PowerPC based. When Apple switched to an Intel platform, it became possible, and easy, to put OS X on virtually any non Apple computer. I would venture to say thousands of Macrumors users know how to put OS X on a netbook/PC.

Anyway, to the OP, if you want a netbook, the MSI Wind is not only good for Windows and a good machine overall, it's probably the most popular netbook that Mac OS fans use.
 
Dell netbooks have the worst keyboard (even though it's got big keys) and worst trackpad. The design is very "Dell", cheap looking/feeling and bad build quality. I suppose they tried to make up for it with designs, colors, etc but the netbook inside is just junk.

HP netbooks feel like a big rock, it's way too heavy for some reason and the trackpad is weird with the side left/right click buttons. The keyboard, also has big keys, but very hard to type on.

I don't like the Toshiba ones because the power button is awkwardly placed. Keyboard is average for netbooks and overall feels like it ripped off the designs of other netbooks and hastily slapped it together.

Either the Lenovo S10-2 or the Acer AspireOne AOD250. I really like the Acer (I have one) because of the solid build quality, really good keyboard and trackpad. It's really lightweight, compared to the HP, and the webcam is surprising good quality, even in low lighting conditions (I tested this on Asus, Acer, HP, and Lenovo netbooks). The design is the best I've seen on a $300 netbook (the more expensive HP w/ ION graphics is the best 'netbook' but it's over $300) and feels really nice. The top part that goes around the keyboard, trackpad, etc is one piece of metal.
 
Airforcekid said:
What netbook runs OS X best? Wouldnt mind having one too if cheap enough.
Click to expand...

MSI and HP I think. The Dell used to run OS X very nicely but they updated the internals so some hardware doesn't work properly under OS X. Same thing goes for the HP, I know the 1000 or 110 runs OS X really well, but not sure about the latest models.
 
entatlrg said:
MacBook Air - World's best 'Netbook'.

Seriously.
Click to expand...

I agree. That's what I'd get if I needed a superportable computer. It's actually got enough specs you could do more than just email, internet, and word processing if the need arose.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
MSI and HP I think.
Click to expand...

I think most here believe the MSI Wind is best for OS X, but unless something has changed it's still not in the OP's under $300 dollar price point. The last one I heard of, the one that was most popular with OS X installation, was closer to $429 unfortunately. They have cheaper ones out now, but I liked the sturdy one I saw at Best Buy earlier this year. It put the Acer to shame and the Acer wasn't all that bad, just a little fragile.
 
if you want to put os x on it my vote goes to the msi wind 10"- I have one and its reasonably easy to put os x in (leopard I have on mine) and is a great netbook. I would recommend getting the 6 cell battery becuase the standard 3 cell one is rubbbbbbbish.
 
miles01110 said:
If $300 is your budget just get an iPod touch. Seriously, netbooks suck.
Click to expand...

Yeah surfing the net on a tiny screen is a joy...why would you want a 10" one when you can have that little ipod screen? And having things like a keyboard and USB ports etc is just a burden.:rolleyes:

Seems if there is not an Apple product to fit a question people will try to force one into the use. If Apple makes a netbook then people will of course say netbooks are great then...but the Apple netbook would be better right? Geez.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back