Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Not exactly photo related but I'm looking to get a netbook. Basic internet usage and the ability to run Photoshop smoothly is all that is required. What can I get with $300 max? and if possible, comes in white.

Thanks in advance.

Basic internet usage is fine with netbooks, but running PS smoothly is another story. Purchased an HP netbook a couple months ago and returned it since the Atom N270/N280 processors IMO fall short when using it for PS. As the saying goes... "you get what you pay for"... There's a few "premium" netbooks around 600-1000 that looks good, but at that price I would pickup a Macbook, and it comes in white....

I'm going to hold off until i find something that runs Windows 7 with ease w/ at least 2GB of RAM, 9"-11" screen.

Agreed. I bought an Acer Aspire One just over a year ago to use as my photo storage device on vacations (120GB). The unit itself isn't pleasant to use for more than 30 mins.. cramped touchpad, cramped keyboard less than 1024x768 resolution.. not to mention it's not exactly fast. I think running PS on it will be unbearable.

You're better off getting an actual notebook if PS is a priority. Otherwise, I wouldn't use a netbook for more than web surfing.

Ah, thanks guys. I got lazy and didn't really look up anything. I'm glad I got this forum to do the checking for me! lol j/k. Anyway, good to know. Scratch the Photoshop usage. Just purely internet usage and $300 tops. Any more suggestions?

Netbooks are really lightweight/low power laptops. Better suited to browse the web, run web apps, etc. Don't even think of trying to run anything on there that is CPU/video intensive. Save your money for an entry-level laptop instead if all you're going to do is some light PS from time to time.

I just thought I could get a little greedy lol.

I have an Acer AspireOne and it's really not as bad as everyone's making it out to be. Considering I paid under $300 for it over a year ago I'm quite happy with what it can do and how it's small enough that I can just throw it in any bag.

The main issue I've run into is the low resolution on the screen - it's not completely unusable with photoshop but it's pretty close. I think most people wouldn't even try given that in some cases you can't see the whole screen (ex. using the bridge - there are parts of it that you cannot see because they're off the screen.) Other than that I haven't had problems running Photoshop (I've been able to process panoramas and HDRs on it.)

I don't find the keyboard too cramped (but maybe it's because I have girly hands?) and I've been using it more than my other computers just because it's so portable. Given the option though, I don't really use it for photo processing unless I'm traveling.

Thanks so much for your opinion. The specs for the Acer AspireOne is close to what I'm looking for. Any other alternatives out there?

For $300 probably the Acer is your best bet.
For $400, Asus EeePC is nice, I think LG and MSI have something out.

If you want even cheaper Futureshop has an HP $230 (Refurb)

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10129670&catid=28357&logon=&langid=EN

I considering a netbook to use when I am travelling so that I dont have to lug my Thinkpad with me. Something small that can fit in my camera bag (Kata sling bag), I will use it for internet access and to upload pictures to keep untill I return home. What are the typicl HD size ? I assume that they all have USB port that I can connect a card reader or directly the camera to. If it is only a few hundred bucks, it is better that those portable photo devices such as Epson p4000. Anybody compared these type of devices?

I boutght myself a MSI wind u100. I up'd it to 2 gig ram right away (took a gig from the wifes laptop )

the neat thing about the wind is you can overclock it in bios! Mine's stable at 24% and works without any issues. Run's fine with Lightroom, but definitely still slow with CS4 on it. * note that the OC feature only works when plugged in.

http://hothardware.com/Articles/MSI-Wind-U100-Netbook/?page=5

btw I purchased it open box from Bestbuy @ $269.

I like the idea of a netbook.... but I am going to be looking to upgrade my laptop this year. Its amazing how cheap they are now. A current $500 laptop kicks my laptops ass (3 years old).

There's a thread on POTN recently on the same subject.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/sho ... p?t=529640

Current netbooks will give you 160+GB of HD space and USB 2.0 ports, so they're more than sufficient for storing your pics while travelling.

Thanks for the link! I am surprised that it took up to 3 pages before someone mention the netbook. It is just a no brainer IMO. With the netbook, why would anyone still pay for a dedicated photo storage and viewer?
For my trip to Hong Kong this Christmas, I think I will pick up one over there instead of buying one here and take it over there. I assume that there must be a lot of choice and price is cheaper there?

I have been carrying a laptop every time I travel but it is just too bulky to put in my camera bag so I have another backpack just to carry my laptop. I am hoping that with a netbook I can just throw it in my camera bag and not having to carry a laptop bag.

If you're getting the Acer, make sure you get the 6 cell battery, not the 3 cell one. With the rest of the netbooks, it's pretty well same, get one with the largest battery possible. Some models don't give you the choice of anything else tho, like the Lenovo S10 1st version with the Expresscard (it's the only netbook I know of with an expresscard slot), it's only available with a 3 cell battery.

Also make a note of how easy it will be to upgrade the netbook, I've noticed some were very easy, no funny HD cradles like Dell. Or with ram soldered to the MB like some early ASUS netbooks.

Target stores in the US have the original AspireOne (3-cell battery) for $199US in-store.

http://www.target.com/dp/B0023B138W/sr= ... cer&page=1

for those really inclined...

the dell mini10v is pretty much "hackintosh"-able out of the box. Gizmodo/Lifehacker have some guides on how to do it and it seems pretty easy (I haven't attempted this yet).

I'm currently typing this from an ASUS EEEPC901HA (I think thats the model number). It's a 8.9" screen so the keyboard is smaller than the 10" ones and is slightly uncomfortable to type on, but you get used to it.

One thing I'd say about netbooks is that you should definitely try it out in person if you have the chance because you may or may not like the feel.