Hey all, i'm currently looking in to the Samsung NC10 netbook, here are the specs: # Processor: Intel Atom Processor N270 1.6GHz 533MHz FSB with 512KB Cache # Memory: 1GB DDR2 667MHz / 1 x Slot SODIMM (MAX 2gb) # HD Capacity: 160GB SATA # Display: 10.2" WSVGA (1024 x 600) SuperBright Gloss LED Display # Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 / 128MB Integrated Graphics # Operating System: Genuine Windows XP Home (SP3) # Battery: 6 Cell Lithium ion # Price: £324.99 (Pink version on play.com inc VAT) The only down sides i have found are as follows: # Wireless can be pretty temperamental with netgear routers and could require a replacement wireless card to get wireless running in a stable way # The touch pad isn't as well built as some and is likely to deteriorate quicker than say the latest rival MSI wind and ASUS s101 From what i've seen, if i'm not worried about 3G wireless internet (which boosts the price) this is about the best netbook available for the price. So my first question is what do you guys think? My second question topic is about upgrades: # Has anyone upgraded a laptop/netbook? # Has anyone upgraded anything which required cutting/soldering and was it difficult/problematic? # What ram would you guys suggest i get if she bought this? # How difficult/problematic is a reinstall to XP pro and is it possible? My third question topic is to anyone who has experience with netbooks: # Is there any software you would recommend (for XP) # Is there any software you would advise against? # Would you recommend any alternatives to the following software (which is what intend to install on the netbook if she buys it): ## Windows washer - securely removes junk files ## NOD32 anti-virus (is there a lower power equivelant?) ## Spybot S&D ## Adaware PRO SE ## CC-Cleaner ## Win ASO ## Adobe acrobat 8 pro ## ABC torrent client ## Nero 8 ultra (with an external ODD obviously) Other software i'm going to be putting on it: # Firefox 3 # K-lite Codecs pack # Real player # Office 2003 # 7Z # winrar # PS - CS2 Cheers guys for any help and i don't think i'm breaking any rules or being an idiot here but if i am i know you'll be quick to tell me and i appologize in advance!
utorrent instead of ABC, AVG free when nod32 expires (nod32 is a paid one), acrobat 5.5 or 6 instead of 8. (above 5.5 its extremely slow and bloated, getting worse with each version.) Wireless wise intel wireless is damn good, I'm not a fan of ANY netgear products (had loads of problems with them in the past)
Thanks for the quick response loony! I've been considering trading in ABC for a while purely to get something with a few well just a few basic features haha. As for Acrobat, do the older versions still come with the same PDF features such as being able to create and convert PDF's from/to just about anything? The NOD32 thing isn't a problem subscription-wise if you catch my drift? As for the wireless, unfortunately i made the mistake of taking the word of the few people who have yet to have any issues with a netgear product and about a year back bought myself a netgear router which can't even penetrate the monitor it sits behind with a decent signal. I was talking more about the internal wireless technology which comes with the laptop. That particular chip is apparently pretty badly designed and is a nose dive down from it's predecessor. I've heard it can be replaced but i can't seem to find any specifics on it's replacement. Again thanks loony your more often than not the first to reply!
acrobat reader cannot create PDF files, regardless of the version, and that is what I was meaning. If you get acrobat pro/standard (commercial software) then yes, they can create/convert PDFs. I use acrobat pro 7 and its not unbearably slow, although it lacks a browser plugin so I still have reader 5.5 installed.
Try Open Office 3 (as a substitute of MS Office). It has its own bult-in PDF converter. For improved Internet security, try C.O.M.O.D.O Internet security suite at www.comodo.com. You will get Firewall + Antivirus in one package. Absolutely free of charge. For a fast and convenient browsing experience, try Safari 3 from Apple. Or you can try Opera 10 Alpha version.
Sygate personal firewall (google 'spf.exe' or download from www.oldversion.com) is probably the best firewall ever, too bad symantec bought it out and destroyed it. I use it all the time.
Cheers for all the help on this! i have COMODO personal firewall and can't believe i never thought to check if they have any other products...doh i'll see about the anti-virus because NOD32 can slow down the time between loading the desktop and being able to use the system. I think i'll try out the sygate personal firewall, COMODO is very good and i prefer it to XP's firewall or the norton one i used to have but it's just plane annoying sometimes. If i'm idle in certain games and COMODO is trying to update it will throw me back to the desktop. When you add rules it also annoys me that it still ask's you if you want a program to connect when you've set the rules to how you want it to connect. The only what i seem to be able to have a program connect without have to click "allow" is by setting the most insecure settings for that particular program (allow hidden connections, don't check parent, etc). Thanks again!
My dream NC10. I'd like to have one, but um this netbook isn't available here in Malaysia. As for OS, I'd suggest Windows 7 Beta 1. Very solid build, much more faster and lighter than Vista. Try portable softwares (to reduce clutter in your registry and your Windows directory), thus reduce the frequency of error and such. Try PendriveApps.com and PortableApps.com. Instead of Nero, try a more lean alternative, for example ImgBurn. It's free, and it caters both home and enthusiast uses. It's even portable! Firefox, CCleaner, uTorrent, 7-zip, mIRC, and VLC are all available in portable form. Firewall. For me, unless you stay together in a huge local network (connected to many computers in LAN), there's little need for a firewall. Anti-virus is pretty necessary though. If you want to spend some dollars, go for Kaspersky or NOD32. Else, get a free alternative. K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is one software you should keep at bay. Use VLC Media Player instead. Many sites discussed on how this kind of video/audio codec leave many orphan files, and causes error later on. MKV, AVI, OMG and some odd extension all playable with VLC. And VLC won't even write anything to your computer (the portable version) Those are exactly what I do, and will do when I get NC10 someday. Keep your Windows lightweight, less clutter, and minimize the causes of errors. Then Windows will give you the best of her.
ANY computer that connects to the internet MUST have a firewall. it takes less than three minutes to get a nasty without one. Norton antivirus is in general useless, as is their firewall, and Windows XP firewall is the internet equivalent of hiding from a tornado behind a sheet of tissue paper. Codecs wise I use the ACE mega codec pack. VLC may allow you to play certain filetypes, but it does not install the codecs therefore you cannot use those formats other than playing them; it only provides decoding capabilities. ACE provides the full codecs Don't run windows 7 beta as a primary OS, it will stop working later this year (by design, its a feature built into the beta versions) and it lacks widespread driver support and necessary software such as power management.
