Best Netbook For Around 10K Baht

[blakegeee]

I have heard that Asus make good products and seem to have a good reputation in netbooks. They don't seem to be much more expensive (if more expensive at all) than Acer netbooks. Reading reviews, it seems like the new HP mini is nothing special. So far I have my eye on the Asus 1001PX for my wife as a starter computer for her. Does anyone have any experience with this model or think that there is a better model available for this price? If I remember right, I think VAT was on top of that price, and I don't think it includes a genuine copy of windows. Also, has anyone picked one of these up at a better price, or got this stuff included at this price?

BTW; I was looking at ICON in Chiang Mai but could buy anywhere in Chiang Mai of course.

[sillyman99]

http://www.invadeit.co.th/ProductGroup.aspx?pgid=67653c3d-4933-4cab-b3b6-28e36712fee3&filter_man=b0fa658c-4f54-432e-a9f9-2ed8f0a8d936

Check out this link.

I have an Asus 1005HA, great battery life.

Samsung have some decent machines too.

[thomo]

Get one with a genuine windows.

I got a Samsung with Win 7 Starter pack a few months ago for 10,200. 6 cell battery, 250gb harddrive.

But needed an extra gig put in (only came with one gig) to get it up to speed, an extra 2k I think.

[sulasno]

I am also thinking of buying a netbook; I wonder how much RAM and HDD does it come with ?

add another 5K I could get a notebook with 2Gb RAM and 320 Gb HDD and a 15" screen

[blakegeee]

Get one with a genuine windows.

I got a Samsung with Win 7 Starter pack a few months ago for 10,200. 6 cell battery, 250gb harddrive.

But needed an extra gig put in (only came with one gig) to get it up to speed, an extra 2k I think.

So was that the price altogether with VAT and windows? Sounds like a good deal. Where did you get it? The one I mentioned has a 160GB HDD and 1GB Ram.

[thomo]

Get one with a genuine windows.

I got a Samsung with Win 7 Starter pack a few months ago for 10,200. 6 cell battery, 250gb harddrive.

But needed an extra gig put in (only came with one gig) to get it up to speed, an extra 2k I think.

So was that the price altogether with VAT and windows? Sounds like a good deal. Where did you get it? The one I mentioned has a 160GB HDD and 1GB Ram.

Yes. Got it in Panthip 4 months ago.

The Win 7 needs 2 gigs, one is just too slow.

[ToffeEFCpower]

Get an iPad, cant go wrong with it

[blakegeee]

Get one with a genuine windows.

I got a Samsung with Win 7 Starter pack a few months ago for 10,200. 6 cell battery, 250gb harddrive.

But needed an extra gig put in (only came with one gig) to get it up to speed, an extra 2k I think.

So was that the price altogether with VAT and windows? Sounds like a good deal. Where did you get it? The one I mentioned has a 160GB HDD and 1GB Ram.

Yes. Got it in Panthip 4 months ago.

The Win 7 needs 2 gigs, one is just too slow.

Panthip in BKK I am assuming, ya? I will check the CM one too. The bigger harddrive and getting the VAT and windows all in for that price seems like a good deal! What is the exact model number of your Samsung?

[thailandbluegrass]

DO NOT BUY ASUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am as we speak dealing with the Misistry of consumer affairs over an Asus Notebook (Don't know what a Netbook is).

I bought a brand new Asus for 25k and 1 week later the keyboard had stopped working.

I called Asus in Bkk and was not happy regarding their customer service.

I had the store where I bought it deal with them and he told me that I have to give it to him and he would send it to Khon Khean (I live in Sakonnakhon about 4 hours by bus) and that it could take up to 1 month to fix.

I didnt take it in until the 9th day and in LOS you only have 7 days to return a product for full refund. Asus Customer servise just said "som nam na"

I then googled "problems with asus notebooks" and sure enough there are thousands of posts. The following are the top problems with Asus notebook:

1. Customer service.
2. Keyboard problems.
3. Battery life not long.
4. Electric plug problems.
5. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!!!!

Take my advise and buy a Toshiba, HP etc.

PS. My model is F83SE, 2.20 GHz, 3.00 GB of Ram, (The Ministry of Consumer Affairs Thailand told me that they have had multiple reports)

[thomo]

Panthip in BKK I am assuming, ya? I will check the CM one too. The bigger harddrive and getting the VAT and windows all in for that price seems like a good deal! What is the exact model number of your Samsung?

Samsung N120.

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-computing/netbooks/NP-N120-KA02US/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=features

Specs on the link say 160GB HD, but I thought mine has 250gb, so could be wrong.

Was 10,200 with 1gb RAM, win 7 starter pack, and free external CD writer.

See basic ones without an OS for like 8,000. I don't fancy fake windows though.

[mussen]

Samsung N120.

http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/office/mobile-computing/netbooks/NP-N120-KA02US/index.idx?pagetype=prd_detail&tab=features

Specs on the link say 160GB HD, but I thought mine has 250gb, so could be wrong.

Was 10,200 with 1gb RAM, win 7 starter pack, and free external CD writer.

See basic ones without an OS for like 8,000. I don't fancy fake windows though.

That's a really good deal Thomo, what shop did you buy it at? Also was it Pantip BKK?

[siamect]

Samsung N120.

http://www.samsung.c...il&tab=features

Specs on the link say 160GB HD, but I thought mine has 250gb, so could be wrong.

Was 10,200 with 1gb RAM, win 7 starter pack, and free external CD writer.

See basic ones without an OS for like 8,000. I don't fancy fake windows though.

That's a really good deal Thomo, what shop did you buy it at? Also was it Pantip BKK?

My wife has one n120 with 1GB RAM win7 isn't usable but Ubuntu Netbook works.

The battery just went completely dead a few days ago. We bought it in august a year ago.

Martin

[blakegeee]

I will have to look into these complaint about Asus reported above to see if they pertain to the netbooks as well. One advantage about them (similar to mac) is that they make most of the hardware unlike most computer companies out there (so compatibility/stability should be good). One shop we were checking out said that they have the best warranty as well, but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean best customer service.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD, and did you buy it at Panthip 'Bangkok'?

[sandmike]

I have an Asus PC1000HE netbook, bought 12 months ago, battery life 8hrs + (if I'm careful).

Asus site has a comparison chart with model numbers & battery duration - BE CAREFUL with model numbers - the battery life can vary significantly between seemingly identical models.

I upgraded the RAM to 2GB, and it runs some very big programs without a problem, performance is fine, albeit not super quick

Big plus is light weight & small size compared to my 15" laptop.

[thomo]

That's a really good deal Thomo, what shop did you buy it at? Also was it Pantip BKK?

Some shop in Panthip Plaza Bangkok. Don't know the shop, but was a small one on the left, 2nd or 3rd floor.

The battery just went completely dead a few days ago. We bought it in august a year ago.

Of course it will, if you keep the battery in when it's plugged in at the mains.

You have to remove the battery when it's plugged in, or it'll be fried up in no time. This is with any laptop.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD

Looking at it now, both the C and D drive have 108GB each. Which makes it 216GB.

Pretty sure I was told it was 25o though... but hey, what's a missing 44GB or so!

[thailandbluegrass]

I will have to look into these complaint about Asus reported above to see if they pertain to the netbooks as well. One advantage about them (similar to mac) is that they make most of the hardware unlike most computer companies out there (so compatibility/stability should be good). One shop we were checking out said that they have the best warranty as well, but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean best customer service.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD, and did you buy it at Panthip 'Bangkok'?

Like my post said mate google "problems with asus notebooks" This means that the sites you will find ONLY pertain to Asus Notebooks.

[siamect]

The battery just went completely dead a few days ago. We bought it in august a year ago.

Of course it will, if you keep the battery in when it's plugged in at the mains.

You have to remove the battery when it's plugged in, or it'll be fried up in no time. This is with any laptop.

A good charging circuit will be careful with the battery and not fry it...

My 5 years old HP... still have about 50% of it's youth left...

Martin

[thomo]

Fair enough. I follow the guide and remove the battery when full, then use until nearly empty every 3 weeks or so.

Recharge and remove.

Why do you keep yours plugged in, and only have 50% when you could/should have close to 100% by simply taking it out??

[siamect]

Fair enough. I follow the guide and remove the battery when full, then use until nearly empty every 3 weeks or so.

Recharge and remove.

Why do you keep yours plugged in, and only have 50% when you could/should have close to 100% by simply taking it out??

You will never have 100% capacity in a 5 year old battery...

Does it say so (remove battery) in the Samsung manual?

That's the kind of advice you give if the battery charger lacks common monitoring circuits. (Yes I'm an electronic engineer)

Normally the monitoring circuits can monitor the condition of the batteries better than what I can do. It is better to let the circuits decide whether charging is nessecary or not.

It is also common that the battery monitor shows 100% when the real value is maybe 70% or so and the charger also goes into a different mode at that time to prevent over charging.

It is probably true that a discharge of that battery here and there can be good...

Martin

[Crushdepth]

I then googled "problems with asus notebooks" and sure enough there are thousands of posts.

Try that with *any* manufacturer and you'll get exactly the same result. ASUS are a fairly reputable brand. HP is one of the worst as far as reliability goes, but I bought I HP netbook because I like the design

[Eureka]

I will have to look into these complaint about Asus reported above to see if they pertain to the netbooks as well. One advantage about them (similar to mac) is that they make most of the hardware unlike most computer companies out there (so compatibility/stability should be good). One shop we were checking out said that they have the best warranty as well, but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean best customer service.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD, and did you buy it at Panthip 'Bangkok'?

Like my post said mate google "problems with asus notebooks" This means that the sites you will find ONLY pertain to Asus Notebooks.

However if you were to google reliability you would come across this data from SquareTrade. So your point is......?

[Eureka]

Fair enough. I follow the guide and remove the battery when full, then use until nearly empty every 3 weeks or so.

Recharge and remove.

Why do you keep yours plugged in, and only have 50% when you could/should have close to 100% by simply taking it out??

You will never have 100% capacity in a 5 year old battery...

Does it say so (remove battery) in the Samsung manual?

That's the kind of advice you give if the battery charger lacks common monitoring circuits. (Yes I'm an electronic engineer)

Normally the monitoring circuits can monitor the condition of the batteries better than what I can do. It is better to let the circuits decide whether charging is nessecary or not.

It is also common that the battery monitor shows 100% when the real value is maybe 70% or so and the charger also goes into a different mode at that time to prevent over charging.

It is probably true that a discharge of that battery here and there can be good...

Martin

You forgot another point. Without the battery what happens when the power fails.

Often, if a battery cell has a memory effect, 4-5 deep cycle discharges and recharges can reverse the problem. This will not work if one of the cells in the battery pack has collapsed.

All of the common rechargable battery types suffer from this memory effect but to a varying degree.

[blakegeee]

I will have to look into these complaint about Asus reported above to see if they pertain to the netbooks as well. One advantage about them (similar to mac) is that they make most of the hardware unlike most computer companies out there (so compatibility/stability should be good). One shop we were checking out said that they have the best warranty as well, but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean best customer service.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD, and did you buy it at Panthip 'Bangkok'?

Like my post said mate google "problems with asus notebooks" This means that the sites you will find ONLY pertain to Asus Notebooks.

However if you were to google reliability you would come across this data from SquareTrade. So your point is......?

I was thinking the same thing, that a search for problems with any mass-produced product will result in endless complaints. That chart proves what I suspected and have heard very clearly. According to it, Asus are the most reliable. I am assuming that Samsung has not been making them long enough to make this 3 year chart. Too bad because that looks like the next most interesting brand. Now does anyone know how reliable squaretrade is... This could be an endless cycle!

[blakegeee]

With the Samsungs, it seems you get the most for your money as far as bigger harddrives, more ram, and genuine windows. I am a little afraid of the fact that they haven't been around for long so we don't really know how they stand up in the long run. So we dicided to settle for that Asus 1001PX after looking over several models. We ended up getting it at Panthip in Chiang Mai for 9,300baht, including VAT and a copy of windows installed. The exact same one was 10,000b plus VAT at ICON. This was was showing 8999 plus VAT but they were able to give us a better price for paying cash. Weird that they would advertise the cheaper cash price??? Anyways, I'll let you know how it stands up. It will be ready to be picked up in the morning with fresh software installed.

[thomo]

good price.

real or fake windows?

[blakegeee]

good price.

real or fake windows?

Copy windows, but I know how to get all the updates online without allowing microsoft to see the system anyways.

[MANICMINER]

i want to buy a netbook, but can i run Windows XP on it?

[thomo]

You can buy one without an OS on it, then get it installed.

No problem.

[thailandbluegrass]

I will have to look into these complaint about Asus reported above to see if they pertain to the netbooks as well. One advantage about them (similar to mac) is that they make most of the hardware unlike most computer companies out there (so compatibility/stability should be good). One shop we were checking out said that they have the best warranty as well, but I guess that doesn't necessarily mean best customer service.

Thomo, can you verify if yours has 160 or 250GB HDD, and did you buy it at Panthip 'Bangkok'?

Like my post said mate google "problems with asus notebooks" This means that the sites you will find ONLY pertain to Asus Notebooks.

However if you were to google reliability you would come across this data from SquareTrade. So your point is......?

I was thinking the same thing, that a search for problems with any mass-produced product will result in endless complaints. That chart proves what I suspected and have heard very clearly. According to it, Asus are the most reliable. I am assuming that Samsung has not been making them long enough to make this 3 year chart. Too bad because that looks like the next most interesting brand. Now does anyone know how reliable squaretrade is... This could be an endless cycle!

I was posting from personal experience. If you read my post carefully it says I googled this AFTER 9 days when my keyboard went. Why would I after 9 days having paid 25,000 baht the keyboard goes google "Good things about Asus notebooks"? Also why would I care about any other product at this point. I already bought an Asus. Now if I did not have any problems maybe I would have used this "squaretech" or whatever it is "window is closed now" lol

The OP asked about Asus and I just replied with my personal experience.

[Eureka]

Just pointing out that you cannot use a strongly biased statistic as a fact for a similar situation. Please compare oranges with oranges so to speak.

Further to the point is that Notebook and Netbook reliabilty figures vary greatly.

Compare manufacturer to manufacturer then models within the same category.

Everyone company seems to get a bad model at some point, Ford with the Edsel comes to mind.