| Author |
Message |
Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec
Post Number: 701
Registered: 05-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:45 am: |    |
Is this just a fad or should I add a Netbook to my arsenal of computer toys, I must admit they look cute and are fairly inexpensive, but are any other specwriters buying these little notebooks and are they useful? As always I appreciate learning from the experience of my peers. |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 08:27 am: | |
My wife and I just got one with a ten inch screen that weighs 2.5 lbs. It's about the size of a book. (Meaning those things made of paper.) No CD/DVD. Was great for traveling as it is so small and light, and we were able to look for inns, restaurants, and attractions as we went. Could keep up on personal email, too. But the screen is so small some apps don't work well. In fact, I can't even install my printer driver because of that. |
William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: wpegues
Post Number: 791
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 09:55 am: | |
I have looked at netbooks, but though apple does not make on (I am a Mac person) even if they did I can't see any utility for it. It would have to be something different than just a smaller, less featured, computer.
I have a portable (MacBook Pro). I take it everywhere with me, even back and forth to work every day. I keep it synched with my server to transport projects, masters and other information for my offsite backup. Actually, I have enough space on the hard drive that I have the complete job file for every project that we have started, whether it was published or not all the way back to the early 1990's on the drive. Thus I can answer any question for projects past and present no matter where I am.
When I am at my home, the portable connects into an additional 20inch display, another external hard drive for local backup, and a full size keyboard and external mouse. When I go on a trip and I will need to have my system fully capable, I take the full size keyboard and mouse with me. So on the road, its as good as being home.
Additionally, I have an iPhone. Great for traveling. Just like John mentions finding things nearby, there are several applications that do this. No matter where I am, I can search for local locations of anything from being specific to just Starbucks, or all coffee shops or all restaurants or many other categories. Tells me how far away they are and gives me a map, gps and directions to them.
I can bring up word files, pdf files, excel files, and edit them. Actually, I can load an entire project onto the phone and work directly with it - or alternately, using my 'mobile me' account, I can load the entire history of the office up to my mobile me account, sign on with any computer anywhere as well as with the phone, and work with files on the file or download them to any of these systems.
Because I can zoom in on the screen on the phone, I don't have to use a magnifying glass to read it or work with it. Now, I admit I don't make a practice of doing that, it is not the easiest thing in the world to do, but its kind of useful in meetings, out on job sites, etc.
And like the other thread here on iPhones, I can also check the levelness, plumb out on the site too -grin!
So for me, a netbook is simply something half way between a portable which is totally functional and mobile, and my iPhone, which is great for simpler tasks, reviewing something, looking something up and getting around.
I just can't see their fit. If my iPhone was not so fully functional, then definitely I could see it.
William
William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate
WDG Architecture, Washington, DC | Dallas, TX |
David E Lorenzini
Senior Member
Username: deloren
Post Number: 85
Registered: 04-2000
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 10:37 am: | |
By coincidence, I just ordered a netbook this morning, but not for business. It is for my wife to use for email and browsing, not for applications at this time. I wouldn't recommend it for daily work due to the smaller keyboard. One ad I read is that they are intended for K-12 students, and there are several back-to-school discounts going on. Another disadvantage of netbooks is that they don't have a CD/DVD slot. You would need an external drive to load applications that are distribued on CD/DVD. That also means netbooks are not good for watching movies, except for the types you download or stream.
On the plus side, they are great for using away from home or office. They all have built-in wireless, but do not connect to cell phone towers. You can buy a plug-in USB type device and a mobile phone subscription to connect anywhere (similar to iPhone), but it is not cheap.
For those who may be interested, the best netbook for the price right now is the Fujitsu M2010 (http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=M2010). It was just released and has slightly upgraded specs from the current ones. The only option is a 6-cell battery rather than the normal industry 3-cell. The 3-cell is listed as $399, and the 6-cell at $499, but there are discounted prices. The 6-cell should last about 5 hours. The back-too-school discount is $50.
All netbooks come with 1GB memory. (I heard that Microsoft requires this limitation so that Vista can't be sold with it.) Most come with Windows XP Home, but you can add a 2GB memory module, which most companies will sell you for about $25. The memory slot is usually accesible for user upgrade. Rumor has it that the upcoming Windows 7 will run on netbooks as well. Some companies offer a free upgrade to Win 7, due out on October 22.
David Lorenzini, FCSI, CCS
Architectural Resources Co. |
David E Lorenzini
Senior Member
Username: deloren
Post Number: 86
Registered: 04-2000
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 10:38 am: | |
Corrections to my last post. The price of the 6-cell Fujitsu M2010 is $449, not $499.
David Lorenzini, FCSI, CCS
Architectural Resources Co. |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 1036
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2010 - 12:41 pm: | |
I got a netbook (Dell Inspiron Mini, a 10-inch diag screen) at a discount while buying a desktop from Dell, and it comes with a starter version of Windows 7 (you buy the upgrade to get a whole version of the program, either Windows 7 home or professional) And, as Dave said, you need to get an external DVD/CD drive in order to load in software and programs. Since I migrated back to a desktop machine (faster, bigger, more stable) I wanted the netbook for my "take to clients" machine and with the discount from Dell it was $249 as an add on to a larger machine. I already have the wireless plugin from ATT (I used on my former computer) and I like the size for easy use. This price included the 6-cell battery.
I think the key to this is to not think of the mini as your primary computer -- its not for Revit drawings, or complicated graphics applications, but rather note-taking, email, reference, and internet access. Then, get the stable complicated, fast machine for your office. |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 1259
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 09:16 am: | |
I use our netbook when travelling. Makes it super easy to search for restaurants, goings-on, hours of operation, maps and all the rest.
I was thinking about this when travelling to Spain earlier this month: Right now laptops need to be in a bin at airport security, but not smart phones. Now we have a whole new product category going up against the iPad, many of which are smaller than the iPad. They are bigger than a smart phone but smaller than a laptop. What's the cut-off between putting the device in the bin, and not? TSA will no doubt have a rule soon if it doesn't already. |
Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods
Post Number: 358
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 11:28 am: | |
TSA has already ruled that iPad's do not need to be pulled out, but can remain in your bag.
http://www.ipadnewsdaily.com/tsa-ipad-netbooks-can-remain-in-carry-on-0751/ |
Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods
Post Number: 359
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 11:29 am: | |
Here is a much better link:
http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2010/04/traveling-with-e-readers-netbooks-and.html |
William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: wpegues
Post Number: 824
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 12:11 pm: | |
For me, as above, its a full portable, not a netbook. And when I travel or go to meetings, I have an iPad.
I also have a bluetooth keyboard that I link with the iPad when I need to do significant typing. They make a 'set on' keyboard, but any bluetooth keyboard will work just fine.
For those that need 3g (cell) service and bemoan the ATT only iPhone, note that the iPad, as of October 28, is now sold by Verizon. And they provide an adapter for their system for 3g connectivity. It does not require a contract and is monthly for various amounts of service and you can cancel or renew at any time.
And in the category of really quality 'netbooks' that don't have to come out of their case for TSA, they have also just ruled that the MacBook Air does not need to come out of its case/bag either. The new MacBook air is way more powerful than a netbook equivalent, its like a small version of a full power portable.
William
William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate
WDG Architecture, Washington, DC | Dallas, TX |
Nathan Woods, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: nwoods
Post Number: 360
Registered: 08-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 03, 2010 - 12:17 pm: | |
Here is a good article on the MacBook Air:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/30/review_apples_new_11_6_inch_and_13_3_inch_macbook_air_late_2010.html
Here is a nice chart indicating performance values between full size MacBook's, the MacBook Air, and the iPad:
http://www.primatelabs.ca/blog/2010/10/macbookair_benchmarks-late-2010/
The Air is significantly faster than the iPad, and not much bigger.
Note: I don't own either. But I wish I did! |
Gerard Sanchis
Senior Member
Username: gerard_sanchis
Post Number: 22
Registered: 10-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 - 01:46 am: | |
I think a pad and a pencil still works well. It cost approximately $5.00 total, last 6 months, and I can sketch for clients during meetings. I also have a permanent record that I can access at any time. As for TSA, it's never a problem.
Finding goood restaurants on the road is easy, some of my best meals came from just asking locals for their recommendations.
However I still travel with a notebook (to connect to our server and have the chance to work nights when everyone is asleep and to sleep on the beach when everyone is enjoying the water), my Kindle for the plane, my Ipod for music, and my smart phone for calling the office and using Apps that I don't need. The transformers/chargers alone for these devices fill half my luggage.
I know we can't live without them but sometimes I wish we did.
I think we fall in love with technology and forget that, all things considered we probably don't need half of what we have. |
|
4specs.com Home Page