[golfmk5gttdi]

Hi all. I'm fully aware the market and choice is huge.

I have a main home pc but it hardly it's used now for numerous circumstances, work, kids location. However, when I find I do need it I can't access it.

So, to this end, and following a visit to the gadget show and loving my android, I purchased an Asus transformer prime tf201. Undeniably a great piece of kit. I can view the few websites I frequent in the desktop view, type on the keyboard as I prefer a proper feel. But, and there's always a but, there is just something missing. Possibly the fact that I can't just visit download.com to install that program to view that file or convert that video or audio.

Ergonomics are perfect for me. Size, weight, power, look, touch, feel ect.

I think a laptop would be too big but I'm not writing anything off, netbooks look ideal. I've heard good things about Samsung and the Asus prime is good so would consider either brand. Touchscreen would be a bonus and I've seen images of a Dell with a screen that can flip over but I've no knowledge on the reputation of Dell. Obviously battery life is a big factor. I've never used anything other than xp up to now so how would win 7 benefit me? I would want HD. And not to mention a massive HDD. Not fussed about a dvd drive, external are available.

Price limit is £400 - £450 but I'm a savvy shopper and will hunt the best deals via quidco ect... And will visit staples / pc world to test before I buy.

Many thanks for any advice.

Ben

[EndlessWaves]

So you want something that's more capable, higher resolution, has a huge hard drive and all for £50 less than your Transformer typically sells for? Even with the concession to remove the touch screen you may be pushing it a bit.

Dell have a very good reputation at the moment but the model you're probably thinking of, the Inspiron Duo, is discontinued and the only convertible Tablet PC they're offering now is the £800 Latitude xt3. I think they've even dropped their netbook range as well. Netbooks in general are going out of fashion, even Asus have seriously cut down their range from the dozen models it has at one point.

You probably don't want Full HD on a screen that size on a windows machine unless you're doing nothing but watching movies as it'll be far less usable for programs because everything will be tiny.

Windows 7 doesn't have many features that'll benefit you directly, but it is far more stable than XP (i.e. it's much less likely to go funny after a couple of years) and there is lots of new support for stuff behind the scenes so you'll find more and more programs requiring Vista/7 in the next few years. XP was replaced over five years ago now, it's simply not a sensible choice with the rest of the computer world moving onto Vista/Seven.

However, there's potentially a big disruption coming as there's a version of Windows 8 called Windows RT designed to work on ARM chips such as the Cortex-A9 in your Transformer Prime. While current indications are that it might be a bit lame it's worth bearing in mind that if you can't find anything that meets your requirements now then the direction of the market might be quite different in six months.

[rockmonkey1973]

Originally Posted by golfmk5gttdi

Price limit is £400 - £450 but I'm a savvy shopper and will hunt the best deals via quidco ect... And will visit staples / pc world to test before I buy.

Many thanks for any advice.

Ben

honestly imho the best bang for your buck is an m11x. my bios overclocked (supported and endorsed by dell) m11x r1 core 2 duo does absolutely everything i need it to and is only about ten per cent slower than a core i5 r2.

it is as happy playing about in photoshop editing pictures as it is playing skyrim in very decent mid-high settings. If all you want is to browse a few websites or stream high def video from youtube then it will also handle those without breaking sweat.

the reason why i have a portable laptop and not an android tablet is that there are still a whole hell of lot of software that wont work on android. there is simply no app equivalent.

honestly i cant recommend the m11x high enough. really well built, good battery life, portable, relatively powerful (for everyday needs) and it has a backlit keyboard. a far far better purchase than any netbook you may be able to buy.

if you are savvy as you say then check out the classifieds on here or ebay and you can find a machine for about 350-400 quid. if it comes with warranty that is a bonus because dell provide the best manufacturer after care that i have ever experienced. if it doesnt no major biggy because mine has not had a problem since the day i bought it (aside from the hinges and they got replaced free by dell).

at the day your money your call but seriously i dont think you would regret getting an m11x. and if you did you can sell it on... they keep there value very very well.

[golfmk5gttdi]

Thanks for your replies guys, very much appreciated.

Rocketmonkey hits the nail on the head with the 3rd paragraph.

The screen quality on the prime is like nothing I've seen before so if I can get anywhere near that size or resolution ill be happy.

I got my prime off eBay and paid about £450 so it will be going back on there. I'm not expecting to get 100% of my money back.

I have been looking at the Asus website at their Eeepc section and cross referencing model numbers with eBay.

I will look at that dell you recommend also.

Thanks for now.

[golfmk5gttdi]

Quick update.

I ended up buying one of these
HP Laptops - HP Pavilion g6-1306sa Laptop with FREE bag & mouse
Got a further 10% off also.