Which netbook/compact laptop would you buy today?

[simonjs]

If you were in the market for a netbook or laptop between 10" - 13" what would you buy?

I suppose i'm talking in the range of between 500-750 dollars.

Substance over style.


I'm in Brazil so Thinkpad is not the most convenient, saying that I have two here.

Acer seem to offer some well priced packages here, I'm assuming they're built here too, but in the US how are Acer laptops perceived?

Apple seem to be overpriced here, maybe their just expensive everywhere

The sony vaio comes highly recommended from my repair shop friend despite being a bit pricey too.

[RealBlackStuff]

I am using an X60s (non-tablet), mainly for when I travel.
It has W7 Pro 32-bit on it, on a 32GB Patriot Torqx2 SSD.
It's only used for browsing the web and checking email.
With an extended 8-cell (Lenovo) battery, I get over 9 hours out of this little beauty.

To get the best out of this series, find an X61s as well as an X61-tablet with SXGA+ LCD.
Then put the LCD from the tablet into the X61s.
Why the X61 models?
Max RAM 3GB on an X60/X60s/X60t
Max RAM 8GB on an X61/X61s/X61t (over 3GB only usable with a 64-bit OS)
X60 BIOS is limited to support SATA I speed only
X61 BIOS can be modded to support SATA II speed

[underclocker]

My three top choices, all in your price range in the U.S. are below. I favor more current machines since they include webcams and have long battery runtimes.

ThinkPad Edge E120 or ThinkPad X121e (Intel Core i3 CPU versions) --> http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=99403

MacBook Air 11 (check for refurb. deals at Apple.com or used via eBay, etc.)

Any used X200 or X201 in your price range

[simonjs]

Cool, thanks for your input guys

[pianowizard]

Within your price range, by far the best would be the Samsung Series 3: fanTAStic 11.6" screen (which happens to be matte), 2.84 lbs, 2nd-gen Core i3, very well built.

[simonjs]

Good one pianowizard, that looks a very interesting option, the 11"6 matte screen and HDMI were very nice touches to an already nice looking, well priced package.

[jlee1]

what do you mean thinkpads arent the most convenient?
I own a Thinkpad X220 that was bought for $750 at the Lenovo Outlet. It has the i7 processor, 4gb of ram and the IPS screen.

[simonjs]

what do you mean thinkpads arent the most convenient?
I own a Thinkpad X220 that was bought for $750 at the Lenovo Outlet. It has the i7 processor, 4gb of ram and the IPS screen.

I mean convenient as in parts and servicing because i'm in brazil, I only started seeing cheap lenovo models being sold here this year, I'm in the northeast so maybe they had been selling them before in Sao Paolo. I haven't seen or heard of anyone with a thinkpad, even my T42 is quite a novelty. My T42 is a good example, I think I need a new Mobo and i'm gonna have to ship one over.

Sounds like you got a great deal on the X220. I could only buy one of those if i go back to the uk to visit, or get someone else to buy it for me whos on a trip to the states or the Uk. Well or ship it and pay import tax

[simonjs]

P.S. even the samsung 3 series doesn't seem to be avalaible in the brazilian market, for now anyway. My friend here just bought
this one on offer for 850 brazilian reais http://shopping.uol.com.br/netbook-sams ... .html#rmcl heres its a bit more expensive but shows the specs better.

it seems ok for a cheapish netbook but its a bit plasticky.