Netbook advice

I need a notebook to check and back up photos onto while I'm away (not process). I'm considering buying this one... Samsung NF210

I've always owned macs (and never had a Windows machine) I've read on here that there are a few free downloads available for viewing RAW files but I just wanted to check that I can do that with the Windows 7 starter OS that comes installed on this netbook?

Anything else to consider when choosing a netbook?

When looking at a Netbook, get what you may want / need (hardware wise) 1st as it is not very easy to upgrade later....

I purchased a Acer 11.6" netbook for travel and such. I decided on this model as it already had 2gigs ram, 250g HD, a celeron processor (as opposed to the usual Atom processors) and it came with Win7 Premium. The 11.6" screen makes a big difference too (compared to the usual 10.1").

I actually run Lightroom 3 on mine just fine too...

Amazon Link

binliner wrote in post #11327892
I've always owned macs (and never had a Windows machine) I've read on here that there are a few free downloads available for viewing RAW files but I just wanted to check that I can do that with the Windows 7 starter OS that comes installed on this netbook?

Anything else to consider when choosing a netbook?

Binliner: I notice that the resolution of your Samsung is only 1024x600. It will not run DPP as it needs 1200x600. My Acer netbook is also only 1024x600 so I had to install Irfanview with Raw plugin. If I had 1200 x768 if would have run DPP. Some netbooks do offer higher resolution than 1024x600, you just have to check out which ones. My Acer runs Windows 7 starter with no problems but I mainly use it for transferring files to my external drives whilst travelling, but viewing RAW files is no problem

bob

Thanks for the info Bob, resolution shouldnt be a prob as like you, I'll use something like Infranview to view the raw files. Probably the only other things I'll do is use the interent and possibly watch films if poss.

Azwizzard, cheers but I can't find that Acer over here... the samsung has dual core atom processor and can be upgraded to 2GB ram but I'll keep looking to see what else is available

binliner wrote in post #11328278
Thanks for the info Bob, resolution shouldnt be a prob as like you, I'll use something like Infranview to view the raw files. Probably the only other things I'll do is use the interent and possibly watch films if poss.

Azwizzard, cheers but I can't find that Acer over here... the samsung has dual core atom processor and can be upgraded to 2GB ram but I'll keep looking to see what else is available

Justin:

if you are only viewing your images, then this is a handy freeware, works on netbooks

http://www.picmeta.com …information-extractor.htm

has raw converter built-in for all the popular cameras. Sometimes you just want to know which lens you used, or which camera, etc

bob

my wife has a samsung netbook and you can set the graphics card to display a window onto a bigger screen so that DPP will run. however it is a pain, i would recommend getting at least 768 pixels vertically - most software will run at that size.

other than that it has been a brilliant piece of kit - very reliable and the battery has lasted well. it is coming up for 2 years old.

Asus are bring out a dual core eee pc model soon. I use an eee pc and it does the job just fine.

Hi Justin,

Long time no see!

We are looking at a netbook at the moment and have been advised by many IT people to look at Asus...

Not a massive help for you, as a lot of them seem to be much of a muchness, but at least it narrows the brands down!

Cheers,

Will (Porky)

Hi Will! I did have a look at a couple of Asus netbooks in PC world but I wasn't that impressed by the quality, although if as mentioned above they're bringing out a dualcore version it might be worth looking at.

Cheers Magwai, I'm not too bothered about running DPP but good to hear the samsungs are reliable

Asus Eee PC 1201N

Justin,

If you are looking at Netbooks and have always used Macs then you should take a very hard look at the new MacBook Air. The Asus is the only NetBook that was faster in speed tests as the new entry level 13" Air. If you spring for the top of the line Air, even though it is pricey, the Asus can't touch it. I have the 13" 2.16 GHz with 4 Gig of RAM and 256 GIG SSD. I will have to tell you that it is the best laptop that I have ever owned. It is faster than the CPU speed would indicate. Boot time is about 15 seconds. It has enough HP to easily run PhotoShop CS4, although I wouldn't want to do major edits with it. It easily runs Windows 7 Ultimate x64 with BootCamp or Parallels. As much as I hate to quote Steve Jobs, it does change the future of laptops. I think it will change the future direction of laptops as much as the iPhone did for smartphones and the iPad did for tablet.

Michael

Cheers Michael, trust me if the budget would stretch to a top spec macbook air I wouldn't have even started this thread I'd be too busy playing with my new macbook!

I just need a cheap netbook for checking photos while away from home, going online and watching the odd movie if it's up to the task. It won't get used much when Im at home as I have an imac. The samsung is £330 to give you an idea of the budget (a top spec macbook air over her is £1350!)

Memoriesoftomorrow that asus looks pretty good actually

Instead of a netbook, unless the smaller size is a must, I'd be looking into a used or refurbished laptop machine. I recently got a refurbished Dell for just US $299. Nice large display, plenty of RAM, runs Photoshop, wireless, etc. I was originally considering netbooks due to their relatively low prices, when I realized laptop refurbs represent an outstanding value and hardware can be updated or changed.

I have the asus netbook & touch desktop. My advice...don't. My kids for whom I bought them for thinks they're lame. Get a used laptop which might even be the same price but better performance. I did the memory upgrade thing, made it faster, but made it system-buggy. Otherwise get a mirror with your netbook so you can affirm to yourself that it's good enough for your needs.

Cheers for the advice but size (or more importantly weight) is a big consideration.

Basically, I'm off to Egypt for a week shooting for a tour operator and this will go in my camera bag on the plane, I always use my imac at home so have never felt the need for anything portable but I really need to be able to check image quality and back up while I'm there so just want something light and portable with which to do it for this and future trips.