Sony VAIO W Netbook? - Page 2

**rfernatt** · 10-22-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

My son sells netbooks and he's always bring demo models over for me to try out. I hate them all. I just can't type on the compressed keyboard. It's too tight. So, my advice is do some serious typing on one before you decide. Also, the tiny screen is a pain.

Netbooks are perfect for who they were designed for - kids with small hands/fingers and good eyes.

No, they're not meant to replace a full size laptop or desktop, but they're great for a traveling machine with long battery life and light weight. I leave one in the smart in my cargo organizer all the time so I'll have it.

I use a Dell laptop with 17" screen and full size keyboard (incl keypad) at home, but it rarely travels now. It's just a glorified desktop that can be mobile if need be.

I have big (okay, fat) hands, but I haven't had any problems typing on the Samsung netbooks. They have a great keyboard for such a small machine, IMHO. The eyesight thing is well... I better leave that one alone.

Neonspinnazz · 10-22-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suze

My son sells netbooks and he's always bring demo models over for me to try out. I hate them all. I just can't type on the compressed keyboard. It's too tight. So, my advice is do some serious typing on one before you decide. Also, the tiny screen is a pain.

Netbooks are perfect for who they were designed for - kids with small hands/fingers and good eyes.

I agree with you, to me they're just oversized smartphones that don't make calls.

I got a notebook because I like the mostly desktop performance while being mobile and flexible. I find netbooks to be blazing fast and great on battery life but lacking a disk drive and many other qualities that my notebook carries. And you have to single finger type, which is annoying. Then that tiny screen gives me a headache...

So I'd rather carry more weight for the extra goodies I get with it.

NCC1701 · 10-22-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

I find netbooks to be blazing fast

Huh?????? Not one of netbooks hallmarks, LOL

Quote:

And you have to single finger type, which is annoying. Then that tiny screen gives me a headache...

No all of them have those problems. Some of the keyboards are quite good and allow touch typing. And, for a little more money, you can get a decent sized display.

Quote:

So I'd rather carry more weight for the extra goodies I get with it.

Me too. I own a netbook. But, I agree with your last statement.

ADDED: There is a grey area between netbooks and notebooks. Some netbooks feature real hard drives, as opposed to SSDs. Some computers labeled as netbooks also are kinda on the big side of things. I've got no complaints about the one I bought, it is what it is and does what it was designed to do. Easy portability and internet connectivity. That's what netbooks are for, and it fits that bill. Yet, the last two road trips I took, I carried both computers with me and found the bulky notebook more satisfactory.

I still hate touchpads. USB mouse helps a lot. I prefer trackball.

YouTube - 8/20/2007 Rental Mustang interior -...

Bum-bling-B · 10-22-2009, 08:11 PM

Whew, I feel good now. I can see the screen just fine and have somewhat good dexterity when typing on it with the occasional mistake.

I've got an Acer Aspire One and it has been fine for a year now and I use it ALL the time. Great as a hidden computer at work so I can "pretend" I am actually hard at work and actually be here on SCOA just cruising.

My Acer did crap out twice, I had to do something to the BIOS or something like that, fixed it up fine both times.

**rfernatt** · 10-23-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

I agree with you, to me they're just oversized smartphones that don't make calls.

Talk about small screens and keyboards and devices that can't run any desktop apps! I'll have to disagree with you, Neon, a smartphone serves a different purpose from a netbook.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

I got a notebook because I like the mostly desktop performance while being mobile and flexible. I find netbooks to be blazing fast and great on battery life but lacking a disk drive and many other qualities that my notebook carries. And you have to single finger type, which is annoying. Then that tiny screen gives me a headache... So I'd rather carry more weight for the extra goodies I get with it.

Different strokes, but make sure you try one of the newer 10.1" netbooks with keys that are 95% full size. NCC is right, they are not the speediest machines, but perfectly adequate for most common tasks. They sure beat the heck out of a PDA or smartphone trying to run a desktop application. Smartphones just don't run the apps or have the features I want/need in a portable computing device.

By the way, I used to agree with you on laptops. I'd carry an 8 lb. beast around with me just so I could have everything with me just in case I needed to burn some DVDs while on vacation. But, something happened over the last 5 years and I've decided I don't need all that power when traveling. It's sort of like why we buy smarts, we don't need all the extra stuff MOST of the time.

A big honkin' fast notebook like my 17" Dell is the SUV of the portable computer world. It can do about anything, but I don't need most of its features most of the time and the full sizers deplete the battery in no time whereas 7-9 hours on my netbooks is the norm. For me, a netbook is the fortwo of the computing world!

Krootie · 10-23-2009, 11:27 AM

Back in Feb 2002 I wanted a very lightweight laptop (it would be my 3rd) to carry on trips and along to "cemeteries" (Yes, I said cemeteries), courthouse,libraries for my addictive hobby of genealogy. That year I purchased a 2 lb. Sony Vaio subcompact as well as an extra battery, external CD Drive, etc. And the darn thing is still working - mind you it is slow as molasses on that XP OS. But I'm wondering if I'll get as good lifespan on the next one.

Krootie · 10-23-2009, 11:30 AM

. . . . forgot to add, it fits great on trips in the Smart with Hubby, his beast of a laptop, 2 duffel bags, and the Westie in her car seat.

Bum-bling-B · 10-23-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krootie

Back in Feb 2002 I wanted a very lightweight laptop (it would be my 3rd) to carry on trips and along to "cemeteries" (Yes, I said cemeteries), courthouse,libraries for my addictive hobby of genealogy. That year I purchased a 2 lb. Sony Vaio subcompact as well as an extra battery, external CD Drive, etc. And the darn thing is still working - mind you it is slow as molasses on that XP OS. But I'm wondering if I'll get as good lifespan on the next one.

I had one of those in December of 2002 when I went to an undisclosed location for my job. When I got back home in June it had been through heck, tones of sand/dust had gotten into it yet it still chugged along. I must say I hated that external CD. Still, it never missed a beat and was great for what I used it for.

HGB · 10-24-2009, 01:04 PM

Stay away from SONY that's all.
Once you own one and there are issues you will be disappointed.

NCC1701 · 10-24-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HGB

Stay away from SONY that's all.

Ya know, you have a point.

I never set out to be a Sony fan. But, when I'm shopping for such&such a doodad and there's a selection of brands on the shelf, it is often Sony's which captures my senses. Time and again, I get home and say to myself, "self, you bought something else from Sony!"

Things rarely go wrong, but when they do go wrong: from my experience, attempting to get repairs made in or out of warranty is an exercise in frustration.

And yet, I continue to buy Sony products. They make good 'stuff'. Years ago, when they first came out with the Vaio line, I even had a Vaio desktop, and loved it. But, my netbook is HP. No problems with it so far.