228 dollar netbook at Wal-Mart
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RadioGiant
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Posted 7:24 am, 01/20/2010
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Blueridgeguy. Netbooks aren't as powerful as modern PCs, but they're a heck of a lot more than "internet enabled appliances". Anything you can do on a PC (except for high-fps gaming), you can do on a netbook. Just much more slowly.
On my netbook I record and edit audio (with an external soundcard...there's no stereo input), watch videos, write and edit word documents, and do video chat. I've used mine to rip dvds (and watch them), rip cds, (with an external optical drive...there's no internal drive in most-any netbook).
Today's netbooks are approximately as powerful as the desktops we used seven or eight years ago. And we did more with them than surf the internet. With the new Ion graphics, newer netbooks can even play (and edit if you're patient!) HD video, AND do a reasonable job of 3D graphics. Dual-core processors are coming to netbooks this year!
As for external hard drives, look at Staples, or Wal Mart for brands like Western Digital, Iomega, and others. Look for a "portable" drive, because it won't need to be plugged into an AC outlet. It will take it's power from your computer's USB drive.
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Daddy P
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Posted 2:19 am, 01/20/2010
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I think I meant a flash drive. 
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BlueRidgeGuy
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Posted 1:50 am, 01/20/2010
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"but by external hard drive do you mean zip drives?"
Zip drives are dinosaurs. Think "floppy disks on steroids".
Netbooks are nothing more than internet enabled appliances.
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Daddy P
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Posted 1:20 am, 01/20/2010
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Dumb question...but by external hard drive do you mean zip drives? Those little things you plug in the usb port? LOL! I told you dumb question. I know nothing about computers. I would be loading the pictures and papers on a dip thingy just for protection. If you download pictures onto your computer and then delete them does that take up hard drive space? Thanks for your advice.
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RadioGiant
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Posted 1:15 am, 01/20/2010
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Daddy P, that's a pretty old piece of hardware. But for light computing duties, it might be all you need.
Macs no longer use the PowerPC processor. They've moved to the more-powerful architecture used for PCs. Newer models would have, for instance, a Core 2 Duo processor, much like laptops running Windows.
But if your needs are simple, this might be a good buy. A 40GB hard drive is very small if you plan to store music, photos, and videos on your hard drive. But hard drives are fairly-easily upgradable, and you could always use an external drive.
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Daddy P
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Posted 1:05 am, 01/20/2010
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The price is 289.00. No shipping charges.
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Daddy P
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Posted 12:56 am, 01/20/2010
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What do you think of this one? I have always heard macs are great. I have had terrible luck with all laptops I have ever had getting viruses and trojans. Like I said, all I want is something to surf net, write papers and download pictures off camera. I have never used photoshop and don't know how to use it so I don't care about using that. I do like to watch an occasional DVD and burn a picture cd. I just want to be able to do these things without worrying about getting a trojan or virus.
tem specifics - Apple Laptops
Condition:
Refurbished
Processor Type:
PowerPC G4
Product Family:
iBook
Processor Speed (per Core):
800 MHz
Screen Size:
12 inch
Processor Configuration:
Single Core
Operating System:
Mac OS X 10.4, Tiger
Memory (RAM):
384 MB
Primary Drive:
CD-RW/DVD Combo
Hard Drive Capacity:
40 GB
You are bidding on this snow white G4 ibook. It has a 40GB hard drive, 800MHz PowerPC processor, and 384mb RAM. This also includes an Airport Extreme Card, which makes this wireless ready. It can connect to any WiFi hotspot or wireless network. It also has a 12 inch screen and a DVD/CD-RW drive. This will burn CDs and play back DVD's. You can watch movies anywhere. the screen resolution is excellent! This does not burn DVD's, it will burn CD-R and CD-RW discs.
A fresh install of OS X 10.4.11 Tiger has been done, including Safari, iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie, iCal, iChat, GarageBand, and Address Book software. This laptop performs like it was new. Everything works perfectly. It is guaranteed to be 100% functional right out of the box. All available updates have already been applied. All Java updates, iTunes 9, and Quicktime 7.6.2 have all been installed. This also has Appleworks 6 and Neo Office installed. This allows you to create, read, and edit MS Office documents.
The exterior case is in good condition. There are a few scuffs to the exterior, as expected with a pre-used laptop, but no deep gouges, or writing on the exterior. The LCD screen, touchpad and keyboard are all in good condition also. A power supply and a working battery are included. The battery is used, but still holds a very good charge. This includes an Airport Extreme card, so it is wireless ready.
The laptop has two USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire port, and jacks for Ethernet, Modem, VGA, and audio. There is also a Kensington security slot to attach a lock and cable.
Also included with your purchase is 30 minutes of telephone or email tech support for your new Mac, provided by the seller. If you are new to a Mac, this will allow you to ask questions without digging through the manual. A link to the user guide will also be emailed to the winner.
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Daddy P
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Posted 12:45 am, 01/20/2010
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Thanks radio. I'll let you know what I buy. I will probably wait awhile longer.
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RadioGiant
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Posted 7:37 am, 01/19/2010
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You don't have enough information to make a decision on the HP. It tells the speed of the processor, but not the type of processor.
A 1.7ghz Atom, for instance, may have the same clock speed as a 1.7ghz Core 2 Duo...but they're in different leagues in terms of performance (again, I know Atoms aren't used in this type of notebook...I used that example to make my point).
The refurbished IBM has almost identical specs to the Dell Inspiron 2200 that I purchased for my wife in the summer of '05...only my wife's computer has a slightly faster hard drive. It is fine for web browsing, listening to music, even watching a DVD movie. But forget video-editing, editing large photos in Photoshop, or any other app that requires "heavy-lifting". I would guess that this computer has enough "oomph" to play 720p high definition video with the most processor-intensive codec...h.264, but not 1080p, which has roughly double the number of pixels.
I'd save a littel more and buy something like this
http://www.staples.com/Dell...
It's only 80 bucks more, and years more up-to-date in terms of technology. It can actually do some "heavy-lifting", should you choose. The hard-drive is very small by today's standards, but in this price-class, you're going to give up something.
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Daddy P
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Posted 2:09 am, 01/19/2010
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I would like to hijack your thread if I can. I have similar questions about laptops and didn't get an answer to my latest question in tech talk. I would like to ask it here. The auction linked to my post ended but they have more left so I still would like to know what people think about the computers. Also, the netbook radio asked about is a good option. Which of the three is best?
In your opinions, which would be the best computer and bargain between these two:Thank you for your advice thus far and any in the future. I don't know a lot about computers and I want this to last as long as possible. I have not had luck with laptops in past and want to make a good decision on a budget. I just need it to web search and possibly write papers and things on.http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-NC62...http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Len...
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RadioGiant
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Posted 4:53 pm, 01/18/2010
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E-machines are simple, inexpensive machines, but well rated for durability. I bought one for my mom, and it worked great. Not a powerhouse...Celeron processor, two gigs of ram, 160gb hard-drive...everything she needed.
When Asus introduced the first netbook, their stated goal was to hit the 199 price-point. They weren't able to. I paed 299 for my original EEE PC 701.
This one comes closest that I've seen so-far to actually being as cheap as originally intended.
I played with it a little. It seemed fine. I didn't know the password to log on to Wal-Mart's wi-fi, but I could find the network.
I'm an Ubuntu fan, and this one has enough hard-drive space to make it dual-boot to Ubuntu 9.10, and Win 7.
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LocalSportFan
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Posted 11:11 am, 01/18/2010
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I just worry at that price that you might just get what you pay for? That's a pretty big harddrive for just 228. Seems like I heard one time that Gateway makes the E-machines brand for Wal-Mart. Is that still the case? I tend to look at a bit more powerful processor for just 200-300 more. Small size is great, but I do most of my quick jobs on my iPhone without having to boot-up a computer. If you have to have one of the two, I would probably go with the Acer. Flash and portable storage has gotten so affordable right now, the extra GB's might not be much of a deal in going with reliability.
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walkerd24
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Posted 11:11 am, 01/18/2010
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Radio I am not sure about the e-machine but I love my acer aspire. We have the desk top for all the normal computer stuff but I can just surf when the kids are needing to do reports, homework, research, etc. I have had no problems.
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RadioGiant
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Posted 10:10 am, 01/18/2010
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At Wal-Mart over the weekend, something caught my eye. I've been a netbook fan from the beginning...I love my Asus EEE PC 701G (running the "Netbook Remix" version of Ubuntu 9.10). But I've long wanted a netbook with greater storage capacity (8 GB on the original EEE-PC!)
I've been looking at Acer Aspires in the 299 price-range...and they had one with all the usual components...1GB ram, Win 7 Starter, 10.1" LED screen, Atom n270 processor, and a 160GB hard drive.
But just to the left of it sat an E-Machines netbook with all those same specs, except for a bigger hard-drive (250GB), and a far lower price...228 dollars.
Is anyone familiar with this device? I'd love to know the experiences of anyone who has used it.
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