Ask Slashdot: How Should I Replace My Netbook?

Long-time Slashdot reader Kevin108 needs to replace his netbook: I've used and loved my Eee 701 for many years. None of the diminutive ergonomics were ever an issue. But the low-res screen, 4 GB SSD, and 630 MHz Celeron are a useless combo for current web browsing and modern software. I'm now in the market for a new device in a similar form factor.

I need a Windows device for my preferred photo editor and some other software I use for maps. It will often be used offline for writing and watching MKVs in VLC. I'm okay with a notebook or tablet and keyboard combo, but I've not found anything in a similar size with my feature requirements.
Any suggestions? Leave your best thoughts and suggestions in the comments. What's the best way to replace a netbook?

Comments

Is this a test?

[fahrbot-bot]

How Should I Replace My Netbook? / What's the best way to replace a netbook?

Buy something new, stop using the old system, start using the new one - duh.

Re:Is this a test?

[Kevin108]

Ah, the editors took some liberty with the original title. As submitted, it was, "What's the modern equivalent of the Eee netbook?"

Seriously?

[Harold Halloway]

We poor Slashdotters are now being asked to advise someone who wants a small Windows laptop? Seriously? Go to PC World (or your local equivalent), look at the laptops and choose a small one. How hard can it be?

Re:Seriously?

[vux984]

Well to be fair, it sounds like he's looking for something smaller than a 'small laptop', but the reality is you are correct. that market has pretty much died out.

Last I checked there's still some hybrid-tablet stuff with detachable keyboards in the even smaller space, but they're finicky at best.

His best bet is to get a ~13" laptop from dell or something and call it a day.

Re:Seriously?

[jawtheshark]

Yes, that would work. They are kind of heavy though. I have a refurb X220 with me all time time. I got it for 159€, but I upgraded it to 16GB RAM and with a 120GB SSD (it runs Linux). So, add another 150€ for that.

Re:Seriously?

[TheRaven64]

Some people bought Netbooks because they were dirt cheap. Mostly these people are now buying larger laptops because the screen costs have gone down so much that it's not worth trying to make everything smaller to save a few dollars, so the cheapest laptops are no longer the smallest.

Some people bought Netbooks because they were small. Most of these people are now using tablets with attached keyboards. My father has a MS Surface that he's happy with: it runs Windows, Office, and all of the business software that he cares about, and is very small. He doesn't need anything particularly fast. That's probably a good upgrade path for anyone who was running Windows on a Netbook and for whom cost is not a primary motivation.

Some people wanted both small and cheap. These people are probably best served with a cheap Android tablet and a folding Bluetooth keyboard. If you want Windows, that's a problem.

Re:Seriously?

[0100010001010011]

I'm looking at the Chuwi Apollo Lake tablets built around the N3450.

They dual boot Windows 10 / Android. People have gotten Ubuntu installed on them as well.

An actual suggestion.

[damnbunni]

Dell Venue 8 Pro 5000 series 4 GB RAM version.

Add in the matching Bluetooth keyboard and, for extra photo editing fun, the 2048-levels-of-pressure active stylus.

The problem is that it's a 'corporate' device, so Dell doesn't make it easy to buy just one of them.

Used corporate.

[RyanFenton]

The whole reason I went with a netbook years ago was the price. Now, though, when I need a cheapo laptop, I definitely go with used corporate - Dell frequently has quite nice extra-durable laptops that are basically leased en mass to companies that make them dirt cheap, and VERY easy to provide service to if you're giving them to relatives.

The designs are inherently rugged, can be thrown into a backpack no problem, accessories and batteries are commodity priced, and the appearance won't cause anyone to blink. I understand the appeal of light-as-possible, but there's just too many advantages to rugged cheapo-bulk laptops. And if you REALLY want mega-light, there's some models that do that too, I'm sure.

Ryan Fenton

GPD Pocket

[ElectraFlarefire]

If you can type well on the 701, then you'ld like the keyboard on the GPD Pocket.
High res screen, 8Gb ram, 128Gb SSD, selection of other standard stuff.
Comes in windows and linux versions.
And something around the $500 price.

Re:GPD win or whatever.

[hawkinspeter]

Even better, the GPD Pocket! 1920x1080 in a 7 inch screen! 8GB RAM. What more could you want? https://www.geekbuying.com/ite...

Modern Netbook - Lenovo ThinkPad 11e (4th Gen)

[lionchild]

Lenovo actually keeps an 11-inch sized netbook around in it's line up in a couple of flavors, but the full PC version is the ThinkPad 11e. It can ben outfitted with 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and Core i3 Processor if you like.

Info here: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/...