mini notebook question

Netbooks are great options for kids. They offer Net connectivity, portability, and the ability to run basic software and simple computer games at extremely reasonable prices (often around $300 each). They are not very powerful, so they won't handle big software suites or graphics-intensive games, but for kids, they're all the computer they'll need for a while.

Definitely won't be playing Tomb Raider: Underworld, on a mini...

My recommendation is to go to a store and look at the screen sizes and keyboard layouts of the different models available. I was really glad I did. The one I picked out online would have had too small of a screen for me.

The computers are not super powerful, but for kids who probably just need the Internet and word processing, they can't be beat. I will note that I have been able to run some larger programs on mine including an older version of PhotoShop, but it takes a while for the program to open.

If you're looking for one to grow with your child for a while, make sure you can look for ports for cd rom drives since most minis don't have one installed. In addition ports for additional external memory can reduce the ill effects of programs that are loading too slowly due to low memory space.

Most kids these days enjoy their social networks and online music sites so these minis are great for that! I brought my 12 year old one and he just loves it.

I never thought of getting one for kids. I used to call mine the "airport laptop" or "commuter computer." the compact size and long battery life are great on planes or buses. gaming will be very limited. it runs HP wild games (family friendly) very well!

In my house I have 5 boys (4 of whom are teenagers) all vying for my desktop and 1 laptop. God forbid if I want to use either I have to wait in line. What I realized is that if I make the laptop purchase it gives them all an opportunity to have fun and do homework assignments.

Since this world is computer dependent it is also a good way to supplement what they have learned in computer class in school!

I AM LOOKING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS 8 YEARS OLD, WHO IS IN ADVANCE THIRD CLASS THAT HAVE ALOT OF HOMEWORK TO DO ON A COMPUTER AT HOME,A LAPTOP FOR CHRISTMAS THAT SHE CAN GROW WITH, DO HER HOMEWORK, THAT IS WIRELESS, AND HAVE A CD ROM FOR LESS THAN $300

THANKS

GRANDMA

They seem wonderful, but, lots of 'family' types of websites recommend having a computer where you can wander by and see what the kids are looking at.  I just wonder how much a kiddo who is 12 can be supervised with their very own internet access alone upstairs in the bedroom or whatever.  That's my concern,  They already have more independence at a young age than any generation ever has, as far as what they have access to.....with their ipods and their phones.....and now, their own little computer with access to the internet.....hope I don't offend anyone.....just trying to protect our young'uns....

Netbooks do not have CD-ROM drives, because they take up too much space. You can, however, purchase separate CD-ROM drives that connect via USB cable. These are pretty affordable these days. Or, software can be downloaded onto it via the Internet, or installed from a USB key drive. You have lots of options, but built-in CD-ROM is not one of them. :)

BlueCrewGuyInMA, can you please explain how the memory stick works to increase the RAM of the netbook?

Simply plug in the memory and the netbook will automatically recognize it.  

blwndr123 said…

i have 3 girls ages 13,11 &7 who want computers for christmas i was thinking of a lil mini notebook laptop what do you know about these mini laptops?

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Given the risk of (losing, breaking, etc.) a netbook, I'd suggest you simply get one of the cheaper dual-core desktops and an inexpensive monitor.  With Black Friday almost here, I'd imagine you can get a nice setup for $300; also check Dell's daily deals and the techbargains.com/bensbargains.net/gotapex.com websites for deals.

i'm looking for a computer for my 10 tear old with alot of homework and is a great student in school with great grades i don't want to pay more then $300

I'm looking on the sears site right now and  see the "Mirus" netbooks and the bundles that they come with for kids, I think they look great,, Also ASUS has a kid friendly netbook (disney features) at sears too.

ERRN said…

I'm looking on the sears site right now and  see the "Mirus" netbooks and the bundles that they come with for kids, I think they look great,, Also ASUS has a kid friendly netbook (disney features) at sears too.

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Note though that they are Intel Atom-based CPUs, which are terribly, terribly slow - much like a Pentium 3-style speed.  If you upgrade (and it is a huge upgrade) to even a Core Solo (much less an Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo) you'll get a huge speed increase.  www.gotapex.com shows how to get an HP i7-based notebook for about $800 or $900; that's FAR faster than a Core 2 Duo machine. 

Speed goes: 

Atom

(huge difference here in performance)

Intel Core 2 Solo 

(huge difference here in performance)

Intel Core Duo

Intel Core 2 Duo

(significant difference here in performance)

Intel Core i7 / i5 CPUs

Quite honestly, i just purchased the Acer Aspire One Netbook with the new 11.3 inch screen with the Intel Atom processor, 160 gig hard drive with 2 gig of ram, running windows vista for $299 and i absolutely love it. Yes they are a little slower than your normal size laptop which i do own and use for heavier pc usage, but thats is why they are called a Netbook. I can watch full HD youtube videos, surf the net and listen to music with no problem or hardly any lag. I do reccomend getting a separate 8gig flash drive to be used as a memory boost (which is a new option in vista) which does help alot with the speed and gives it a little boost with extra ram, but would be perfectly fine without one. Overall with my experience a Netbook even with the Intel Atom processor, would be just fine for teens these days. I should make a note that a separate DVD/CDROM drive will need to be purchased to play dvd's or cd's, but most people only use them to surf the net. Hope this helps!!

Amazed, if you know how to set Administrator/User accounts in Windows XP, you can set up a restricted account that will "block" undesired websites.

There are also software programs that will "spy" on your children by recording their browsing history.

There are even better parental controls with Vista, but, your AVERAGE netbook really can't run Vista very well.  Definite hardware limitations there.

XP should enjoy more longevity than it was designed to have, thanks to the netbooks.

Look into available security restrictions before being so worried.  I'm not saying it's impossible for the kids to get into something they shouldn't, but, you can make it much less likely using the options Windows affords.

A conventional memory stick will not increase the RAM memory capability of a netbook running XP.

The only thing that will do that is a SODIMM memory module, provided the motherboard is capable of recognizing the memory increase.

One advanced way to increase speed a bit, is to adjust the Virtual Memory, or paging file settings, and increase them.

The Virtual Memory is a portion of the hard drive's storage, that Windows will use like it is RAM memory.

Vista, however, is a completely different animal.

Personally i am a diehard vista fan, but deffinately agree with worldweary2, netbooks with XP are great machines that run very smooth and usually come with plenty of power. Vista takes alot of resources and power and will slow any computer down. Deffinately stick with XP on a netbook and your kids should be very happy with and staying safe at the same time!!

By far the easiest way is to simply spend $30 or so at Newegg.com and buy another stick of memory to plug into the netbook - and you'll also get the largest benefit since it's real RAM (rather than an enhanced cache, which is how Vista will treat a plug-in USB memory drive).  Many can be expanded quite easily - some to 1gb, some to 2gb, some to 4gb.  More than that isn't typical.

I suggest the Core Solo-based netbooks (at least) since they tend to be fully expandable (to 4GB or more) without limitations.