Question

I am a Mac user and as such not very knowledgeable about the desktop and laptop Windows world. But since Apple are not going ahead with a Mac netbook, I think I should get a Windows netbook.

This is where my pitiful ignorance comes in.

Can anyone recommend a netbook with the following features:

1. Runs Windows 7.
2. Has at least 2 GB of RAM.
3. Hard disk or solid state, solid state preferred.
4. Can use external USB DVD drive.
5. Can use (and boot from) external USB hard drive.
6. Preferably has 3G modem and sim card slot built-in.
7. Should be available in Ireland somehow (can order from UK or Europe).
8. CPU can be 32 bit or 64 bit but must have VT-x support.
9. Price is secondary (technically 9th) concern.

Any recommendations?

Answer 1

You can go for an HP netbook, from the Mini series. They usually have good reviews, the build quality is OK and, best of all, they make great hackintoshes. I can't recommend you a model; the decision should be yours. You know best what you want.

Answer 2

You'll look pretty hard to find both SSD and Win7. I'm told a (full, normal) Win7 install runs about 20GB. Add your favorite bulky apps and part of your MP3 collection and you're up to 40GB in the first week. Netbook installs come in doubtless below that mark, but still, you might find yourself squished with a stock SSD. Most netbook mfgrs have gone (back) to old-school spinning drives just so they could offer reasonable capacity at a price people will pay. If you really want SSD, you might have to go aftermarket (to Intel, say).

I have no specific laptop model recommendations, but the rest of your requirements sound reasonable enough. You might enjoy reading the reviews at RegHardware, which are excellent, and also oriented especially to the UK/Eire markets. Here is their Netbook buying guide. It's likely a little too old for the specs you're looking for, but it's a good entree into their site. Or have a look at their review of the Dell Latitude 2100, just for starters. Plus, like many UK/Irish Dells, it's probably assembled right there in Ireland.

And note as you look that it's the following Intel Atom chips that support VT-X (which the above mentioned Dell Netbook does not have!):

Atom Z520, Z530, Z540, Z550 (Silverthorne)

Source, Wikipedia.

Answer 3

I believe the Sony VAIO X series fits your list.

http://www.sony.ie/product/vnp-x-series

If you want smaller, the Sony VAIO P series also fits your list.

http://www.sony.ie/product/vnp-p-series/vgn-p39vl-q

Answer 4

here's exactly what you're looking for:

Sony Vaio VPCX11Z1E/X (available from Sony UK and any reseller)

11.1" WXGA display 1366x768

Intel® Atom™ Processor Z550 (2.0 GHz, 64-bit, VT-x support)

2 GB RAM

256 GB Solid State Disk

7.2Mbps (HSDPA/HSUPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS) modem built-in

Windows 7 Prodessional

there's a lower spec model available, the VPCX11S1E/B with Atom Z540 (1.86 GHz) and 128 MB SSD.

Answer 5

Why don't you go with a HM pavilion DV3? It got a faster CPU and better graphics than a standard netbook. There are similar systems "slim and light" from other vendors available, too. (ACER, Packard Bell etc.)

Answer 6

OMG do not and I say do not buy an HP. Earlier this year they had big problems with laptops and desktops and ended up with two lawsuits alledging that they deliberately sold inherently defective mobos. I should know since I bought their top of the line desktop with many upgrades this past October and spent a lot of money and fought for two months to get replacement mobo. At the time they sold it to me they already knew the mobos were bad and were having Asus subsiderary remake the mobo but it took awhile and HP implemented all sorts of stall tactics. They lied over and over to their customers. Unbelieveable. I would never and mean never trust this bunch again. There are thousands of posts about how bad it was. Look under Hangs, Freezes and Lockups on their forums. What a nightmare! Also they have this bogus return policy, you can only return it after 21 days. It takes several days for them to build it and then several days to ship it so you will be lucky to have it for one week before warranty expires to figure out any and all issues. Also they will send you to India tech support which is a nightmare in itself and that also can delay you big time. Many folks spent many hours with their tech support with no resolution and it is another way they can run the clock out on your warranty. Don't take my word for it...google for yourself.