Netbook with Web Access

[ncpierce]

Hi,

I am considering getting hold of a netbook to use when I am away on the bike and on the road with work.

Thinking of either getting one with built in 3G or getting mobile broadband.

So simple question what's the best 10" (ish) netbook around, running Windows so I can use Mapsource and ideally with built in 3G?

Failing that what's the best compromise i.e. netbook and then mobile broadband supplier?

Thanks

Nigel

 

[rce]

The MiFi is a great gadget, mines on Three. It acts as a wireless router, it connects to the internet, your netbook attaches to it by WiFi or USB.

USB charges MiFi which will run for about 5 hours on a charge, and allows multiple devices to connect through it, eg netbook, laptop, mobile phone (with wifi), tablet, etc etc.

For bike something with a Solid State Disk is best as it can stand the vibration better. I have an Asus eee pc running a minimal XP install that runs Mapsource well. Only trouble with the Asus is the battery life is crap.

 

[ncpierce]

For bike something with a Solid State Disk is best as it can stand the vibration better. I have an Asus eee pc running a minimal XP install that runs Mapsource well. Only trouble with the Asus is the battery life is crap.

I've got an Asus 4G Surf EEE PC which runs a version on Linux but I cannot face trying to install Windows on it (I don't think that it will cope). Plus I fancy something new and shiny

 

[wessie]

Will you be camping or using hotels? On my recent trip to France/Belgium I found most hotels had wifi.

I have an Acer Aspire One. Costs about £200-250 depending on spec. Mine only has occasional trips on holiday so I went for the cheaper hard disk variety. If you are always on the move, the solid state option is worth considering. My Acer runs Mapsource very well

Look into bundles with your landline, broadband and/or mobile provider. BT offer some packages with their internet service that include access to their extensive wifi network.

If money is no object, then a mate employed by one of the mobile networks has just acquired the latest Apple offering. He reckons it is the best thing ever. Then, he doesn't pay the 3G bill...

 

[JediJase]

net book

There are lloads of new netbooks and tablets coming out over the next few months, I'd wait just a bit longer.

 

[wessie]

There are lloads of new netbooks and tablets coming out over the next few months, I'd wait just a bit longer.

that sentiment has been true since they days of the ZX81. My philosophy is if I want something now I buy from the current catalogue based on a balance of price, availability and performance.

 

[bowser]

I got a Samsung NC10 with built in 3g, I have to say its been fantastic, I get a good 3g connection and often better connection speeds than on my home computer. I am sure that its been replaced by somthing newer and better now but it still tick all the boxes for me.
I run mapsource on it, play movies, take it to rallies and camping, even watch tv with a usb tv stick.
Dont try and multitask too many jobs and its works just fine

 

[Gipsy]

If you want something really shiny ( but not cheap ) the new Mac Book Airs now have solid state memory, and can run windows and snow leopard. Not cheap but sub zero cool.

 

[ncpierce]

Been out this afternoon to PC World and Best Buy to have a play.

Will probably end up getting an Acer Aspire One D255 or Samsung NC10 Plus will pop back next week to tie down my decision.

Thanks for the help.

 

[STUBBS]

samsung nc20 better battery life than the nc10

 

[Ash]

NC10 / 3G Dongle
[with longlife battery]

 

[andyclift]

Not Free

On my recent trip to France/Belgium I found most hotels had wifi.

Most hotels have Wi-Fi but our experience in Western Europe is that many are charging crazy prices to use it. We have stayed in a moderately priced hotel who have charged £10.00 for a one hour connection and others at £18.00 per night.

We have found the same costs at bars, motorway services, etc. They offer broadband but you need to buy 24 access via a credit card to get it when you will only be in the cafe for half an hour. A bit pricey to check a few emails. Free wi-fi can be found but it is not nearly as common as UK.

It's easy to find free wi-fi in Eastern european countries but there must always be some concerns over security so I only use it it for web, email, and Basecamp (I use a Macbook Pro). I would not start checking on-line banking etc.

My iPad with a 3 Mi-Fi router works well in UK but not perfect until Garmin offer a Mapsource/Basecamp App. The Mi-Fi router will work in Europe. I have not checked the costs yet but probably better than paying hotel rates.

 

[wessie]

Most hotels have Wi-Fi but our experience in Western Europe is that many are charging crazy prices to use it. We have stayed in a moderately priced hotel who have charged £10.00 for a one hour connection and others at £18.00 per night.

We have found the same costs at bars, motorway services, etc. They offer broadband but you need to buy 24 access via a credit card to get it when you will only be in the cafe for half an hour. A bit pricey to check a few emails. Free wi-fi can be found but it is not nearly as common as UK.

It's easy to find free wi-fi in Eastern european countries but there must always be some concerns over security so I only use it it for web, email, and Basecamp (I use a Macbook Pro). I would not start checking on-line banking etc.

My iPad with a 3 Mi-Fi router works well in UK but not perfect until Garmin offer a Mapsource/Basecamp App. The Mi-Fi router will work in Europe. I have not checked the costs yet but probably better than paying hotel rates.

This does not match my experience. I used 3 hotels on my recent trip. A Best Western in Hythe, Kent; an independent in Bouillon, Belgium and an auberge in Alsace. All had free wifi. Last year I used hotels in CH & Austria, both had free wifi.

The only hotel I've used recently that charged for wifi was a Holiday Inn in Portsmouth - they wanted £15 per day so I didn't bother.

In France, free wifi is widely available. Most McDonalds will have it and you can get an hour to check email etc for the price of a coffee or ice cream.

 

[Gipsy]

We've also found that the cost of access to wi-fi on the continent is very variable. We tend to do a bit of research on line in advance ( night before ) and then head towards those hotels that have free access.

 

[Dave Ett]

I have an Asus 901 eeepc, which has a sim card slot in it, under the battery.

12g of solid state memory, wireless and runs XP just fine - so good for mapsource. Survived a trip across Morocco last year, and a trip to Italy this.

 

[bowser]

Its up to you, but I have an acer desktop and I wouldn't have another acer if you gave it to me, when they work they are great machines but if anything goes wrong they are a pain in the arse, their entire tech support is in India, their tech support is open between 9-5.30 mon-fri thats it, if you are in a call a t 5.30pm on the dot you get cut off, and to be fair your better off not bothering, I had a problem with my computer and their only advice is wipe the machine and restore from the hard disk when you have done that call back !!!!
No matter how cheap it appears dont buy acer.

 

[andyclift]

if anything goes wrong they are a pain in the arse, their entire tech support is in India, their tech support is open between 9-5.30 mon-fri thats it, if you are in a call a t 5.30pm on the dot you get cut off, and to be fair your better off not bothering,

Most PC makers can be a pain when it goes wrong. That's one of the many reason why Macs are worth the extra. When the Q key on my Bluetooth keyboard stopped working one short call to Apple resulting in them sending a new keyboard by courier from Holland, which I got the next morning. No hassle and problem solved.