Netbook question please

I am running an older HP laptop with XP Home SP3 and it is very slow. 512
mb ram (2 GB virtual memory). 60 GB HD. (Unsure of processor).

I am considering replacing it with a Toshiba netbook NB205-N210 (2 GB ram
(maxed out), 160 GB HD, Atom N 280processor.

2 Questions please. If I use this to replace my laptop as my only computer
(with external monitor & keyboard) can I expect a substantial speed
increase? Also, would it be possible for this machine to run Windows 7?

I realize the netbook probably was not intend to be your primary computer,
but can it do it?
--
Thanks in advance... Bob

In article <9Z3Cm.17051$>,
Bob Newman <> wrote:
>I am running an older HP laptop with XP Home SP3 and it is very slow. 512
>mb ram (2 GB virtual memory). 60 GB HD. (Unsure of processor).
>
>I am considering replacing it with a Toshiba netbook NB205-N210 (2 GB ram
>(maxed out), 160 GB HD, Atom N 280processor.
>
>2 Questions please. If I use this to replace my laptop as my only computer
>(with external monitor & keyboard) can I expect a substantial speed
>increase? Also, would it be possible for this machine to run Windows 7?
>
>I realize the netbook probably was not intend to be your primary computer,
>but can it do it?

It would probably be faster but you could probably speed up your older
HP for less money by adding more RAM - if it will accept 1GB of RAM - and
stay with XP.

It is possible to use the netbook as a primary computer although that is
not the marketing intention for those machines. One has to ask, though,
whether you have any need for portability? If you're intending to use it
with external monitor, keyboard, etc exclusively, you'd get better value
by getting a desktop machine. If, on the other hand, you intend to
actually use the netbook as a portable, it would help to try one out to
see if you can cope with the keyboard and screen size for as long as you
intend to actually use it as a portable.

Most netbooks will run Windows 7 even with 1 GB of RAM (though not
optimally). A 2 GB machine will run it just fine. There are still
some driver issues, especially for power management, as many have
reported reduced battery life compared with XP. There have also been
issues with some of the specialized hardware capabilities like hotkeys
for certain functions and the like where the XP driver model code doesn't
function properly under Windows 7.

In the case of the Toshiba, however, they have recently released a set of
real Windows 7 drivers that might give better performance and
compatiblity. Haven't seen anything posted about actual performance,
though - it's too new. Toshiba seems to be the first out of the gate to
actually release Windows 7 specific drivers for any of its models, ahead
of the October 22 go-live date.

"Mike S." <> wrote in message
news:hbait0$vp$...
>
> In article <9Z3Cm.17051$>,
> Bob Newman <> wrote:
>>I am running an older HP laptop with XP Home SP3 and it is very slow. 512
>>mb ram (2 GB virtual memory). 60 GB HD. (Unsure of processor).
>>
>>I am considering replacing it with a Toshiba netbook NB205-N210 (2 GB ram
>>(maxed out), 160 GB HD, Atom N 280processor.
>>
>>2 Questions please. If I use this to replace my laptop as my only
>>computer
>>(with external monitor & keyboard) can I expect a substantial speed
>>increase? Also, would it be possible for this machine to run Windows 7?
>>
>>I realize the netbook probably was not intend to be your primary computer,
>>but can it do it?
>
> It would probably be faster but you could probably speed up your older
> HP for less money by adding more RAM - if it will accept 1GB of RAM - and
> stay with XP.
>
> It is possible to use the netbook as a primary computer although that is
> not the marketing intention for those machines. One has to ask, though,
> whether you have any need for portability? If you're intending to use it
> with external monitor, keyboard, etc exclusively, you'd get better value
> by getting a desktop machine. If, on the other hand, you intend to
> actually use the netbook as a portable, it would help to try one out to
> see if you can cope with the keyboard and screen size for as long as you
> intend to actually use it as a portable.
>
> Most netbooks will run Windows 7 even with 1 GB of RAM (though not
> optimally). A 2 GB machine will run it just fine. There are still
> some driver issues, especially for power management, as many have
> reported reduced battery life compared with XP. There have also been
> issues with some of the specialized hardware capabilities like hotkeys
> for certain functions and the like where the XP driver model code doesn't
> function properly under Windows 7.
>
> In the case of the Toshiba, however, they have recently released a set of
> real Windows 7 drivers that might give better performance and
> compatiblity. Haven't seen anything posted about actual performance,
> though - it's too new. Toshiba seems to be the first out of the gate to
> actually release Windows 7 specific drivers for any of its models, ahead
> of the October 22 go-live date.
>
Thanks for the prompt reply. Believe it or not the current laptop is maxed
out at 512! While I will be using the notebook 85% at home I do need
occasional portable use (6 hour run time on this one). For the limited
portable use I'm sure I could put up with the keyboard. Might there be a
durablity issuse (not from portableness but from leaving it on virtually all
the time)?

Thanks... Bob

In article <ai4Cm.1370$>,
Bob Newman <> wrote:
>
>Thanks for the prompt reply. Believe it or not the current laptop is maxed
>out at 512! While I will be using the notebook 85% at home I do need
>occasional portable use (6 hour run time on this one). For the limited
>portable use I'm sure I could put up with the keyboard. Might there be a
>durablity issuse (not from portableness but from leaving it on virtually all
>the time)?

Sure, have been through a number of older (WinME/2000 era) laptops that
max out at 512 MB - that's why I asked.

I doubt you'd have issues with leaving it on all the time as long as it
doesn't overheat (i.e. don't block the vents).

In news:ai4Cm.1370$,
Bob Newman typed on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:01:18 -0400:
> "Mike S." <> wrote in message
> news:hbait0$vp$...
>>
>> In article <9Z3Cm.17051$>,
>> Bob Newman <> wrote:
>>> I am running an older HP laptop with XP Home SP3 and it is very
>>> slow. 512 mb ram (2 GB virtual memory). 60 GB HD. (Unsure of
>>> processor). I am considering replacing it with a Toshiba netbook
>>> NB205-N210 (2
>>> GB ram (maxed out), 160 GB HD, Atom N 280processor.
>>>
>>> 2 Questions please. If I use this to replace my laptop as my only
>>> computer
>>> (with external monitor & keyboard) can I expect a substantial speed
>>> increase? Also, would it be possible for this machine to run
>>> Windows 7? I realize the netbook probably was not intend to be your
>>> primary
>>> computer, but can it do it?
>>
>> It would probably be faster but you could probably speed up your
>> older HP for less money by adding more RAM - if it will accept 1GB
>> of RAM - and stay with XP.
>>
>> It is possible to use the netbook as a primary computer although
>> that is not the marketing intention for those machines. One has to
>> ask, though, whether you have any need for portability? If you're
>> intending to use it with external monitor, keyboard, etc
>> exclusively, you'd get better value by getting a desktop machine.
>> If, on the other hand, you intend to actually use the netbook as a
>> portable, it would help to try one out to see if you can cope with
>> the keyboard and screen size for as long as you intend to actually
>> use it as a portable. Most netbooks will run Windows 7 even with 1 GB
>> of RAM (though not
>> optimally). A 2 GB machine will run it just fine. There are still
>> some driver issues, especially for power management, as many have
>> reported reduced battery life compared with XP. There have also been
>> issues with some of the specialized hardware capabilities like
>> hotkeys for certain functions and the like where the XP driver model
>> code doesn't function properly under Windows 7.
>>
>> In the case of the Toshiba, however, they have recently released a
>> set of real Windows 7 drivers that might give better performance and
>> compatiblity. Haven't seen anything posted about actual performance,
>> though - it's too new. Toshiba seems to be the first out of the gate
>> to actually release Windows 7 specific drivers for any of its
>> models, ahead of the October 22 go-live date.
>>
> Thanks for the prompt reply. Believe it or not the current laptop is
> maxed out at 512! While I will be using the notebook 85% at home I
> do need occasional portable use (6 hour run time on this one). For
> the limited portable use I'm sure I could put up with the keyboard.
> Might there be a durablity issuse (not from portableness but from
> leaving it on virtually all the time)?
>
> Thanks... Bob

I use netbooks as my main computer all of the time. And they are far
better than many laptops just a few years ago. Mainly because they can
accept more RAM. I usually connect one of my netbooks to an external
monitor and wireless keyboard/mouse, and it is hard to tell you are not
using a desktop.

I do have Windows 7 on one of them. It might be just me and that slow
MLC SSD, but Windows 7 is just too slow for me on a netbook. Using 50%
of the CPU at idle. While Windows XP is very quick and uses less than 5%
at idle. Thus allowing 95% for your applications. While Windows 7 only
leaves 50% of the CPU for applications.

--
Bill
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Windows XP SP2

"BillW50" <> wrote in message
news:hbak86$s10$...
> In news:ai4Cm.1370$,
> Bob Newman typed on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:01:18 -0400:
>> "Mike S." <> wrote in message
>> news:hbait0$vp$...
>>>
>>> In article <9Z3Cm.17051$>,
>>> Bob Newman <> wrote:
>>>> I am running an older HP laptop with XP Home SP3 and it is very
>>>> slow. 512 mb ram (2 GB virtual memory). 60 GB HD. (Unsure of
>>>> processor). I am considering replacing it with a Toshiba netbook
>>>> NB205-N210 (2
>>>> GB ram (maxed out), 160 GB HD, Atom N 280processor.
>>>>
>>>> 2 Questions please. If I use this to replace my laptop as my only
>>>> computer
>>>> (with external monitor & keyboard) can I expect a substantial speed
>>>> increase? Also, would it be possible for this machine to run
>>>> Windows 7? I realize the netbook probably was not intend to be your
>>>> primary
>>>> computer, but can it do it?
>>>
>>> It would probably be faster but you could probably speed up your
>>> older HP for less money by adding more RAM - if it will accept 1GB
>>> of RAM - and stay with XP.
>>>
>>> It is possible to use the netbook as a primary computer although
>>> that is not the marketing intention for those machines. One has to
>>> ask, though, whether you have any need for portability? If you're
>>> intending to use it with external monitor, keyboard, etc
>>> exclusively, you'd get better value by getting a desktop machine.
>>> If, on the other hand, you intend to actually use the netbook as a
>>> portable, it would help to try one out to see if you can cope with
>>> the keyboard and screen size for as long as you intend to actually
>>> use it as a portable. Most netbooks will run Windows 7 even with 1 GB of
>>> RAM (though not
>>> optimally). A 2 GB machine will run it just fine. There are still
>>> some driver issues, especially for power management, as many have
>>> reported reduced battery life compared with XP. There have also been
>>> issues with some of the specialized hardware capabilities like
>>> hotkeys for certain functions and the like where the XP driver model
>>> code doesn't function properly under Windows 7.
>>>
>>> In the case of the Toshiba, however, they have recently released a
>>> set of real Windows 7 drivers that might give better performance and
>>> compatiblity. Haven't seen anything posted about actual performance,
>>> though - it's too new. Toshiba seems to be the first out of the gate
>>> to actually release Windows 7 specific drivers for any of its
>>> models, ahead of the October 22 go-live date.
>>>
>> Thanks for the prompt reply. Believe it or not the current laptop is
>> maxed out at 512! While I will be using the notebook 85% at home I
>> do need occasional portable use (6 hour run time on this one). For
>> the limited portable use I'm sure I could put up with the keyboard. Might
>> there be a durablity issuse (not from portableness but from
>> leaving it on virtually all the time)?
>>
>> Thanks... Bob
>
> I use netbooks as my main computer all of the time. And they are far
> better than many laptops just a few years ago. Mainly because they can
> accept more RAM. I usually connect one of my netbooks to an external
> monitor and wireless keyboard/mouse, and it is hard to tell you are not
> using a desktop.
>
> I do have Windows 7 on one of them. It might be just me and that slow MLC
> SSD, but Windows 7 is just too slow for me on a netbook. Using 50% of the
> CPU at idle. While Windows XP is very quick and uses less than 5% at idle.
> Thus allowing 95% for your applications. While Windows 7 only leaves 50%
> of the CPU for applications.
>
> --
> Bill
> Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
> Windows XP SP2
>
Another thing I was thinking of. I thought Microsoft was discontinuing
support for XP. Would they be rethinking this with the advent of netbooks?

Bob

In news:7E5Cm.104172$,
Bob Newman typed on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:32:52 -0400:
> Another thing I was thinking of. I thought Microsoft was
> discontinuing support for XP. Would they be rethinking this with the
> advent of netbooks?

Well XP support was already extended to August 4, 2014. Which should be
good enough for most people. And currently over 70% of all Internet
users are still using XP. And 1/3 of new computer buyers have downgraded
to XP. So I would imagine in a few years if the numbers are high enough,
support will be extended again. ;-)

--
Bill
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Windows XP SP2

"Bob Newman" <> wrote in
news:ai4Cm.1370$:

> Thanks for the prompt reply. Believe it or not the current laptop is
> maxed out at 512! While I will be using the notebook 85% at home I do
> need occasional portable use (6 hour run time on this one). For the
> limited portable use I'm sure I could put up with the keyboard. Might
> there be a durablity issuse (not from portableness but from leaving it
> on virtually all the time)?
>
> Thanks... Bob
>

Bob, make SURE the netbook DOESN'T have a GLOSSY SCREEN! Those slick
screens are horribly hard to see in any light, damned near impossible
outside in the sunshine.

I recommend the Samsung NC10, not the new one. They're dropping to around
$300, N270 1.6Ghz processor and just swap the 1GB RAM for a 2GB ($20 at
buy.com) through the one-screw door in the bottom very easily. The NC10s
all have a matte screen I defy you to find a better netbook or even a
laptop in daylight conditions.

I have this awful hatred of glossy screens some marketing idiot tries to
impress the girls with. What a horrible thing to have to look through a
damned mirror to see the movie! There's no reflection, at all, on the
Samsung NC10s. Too bad the idiots at Samsung switched to the girly glossy
screens on the newer netbooks....(d^

Your netbook portable will never been in the dark unless you're on night
shift at the plant.....

--
Larry

"BillW50" <> wrote in news:hbak86$s10$-
september.org:

> I do have Windows 7 on one of them. It might be just me and that slow
> MLC SSD, but Windows 7 is just too slow for me on a netbook. Using 50%
> of the CPU at idle. While Windows XP is very quick and uses less than 5%
> at idle. Thus allowing 95% for your applications. While Windows 7 only
> leaves 50% of the CPU for applications.
>
>

Wow! Didn't know it was THAT bad.....marking that off the wishlist.

XP and Ubuntu Netbook Remix .....a great combination on netbooks.
http://www.canonical.com/projects/ubuntu/unr



--
Larry

"BillW50" <> wrote:

>I use netbooks as my main computer all of the time.

I do so as well

No problems here!


================================================== =======
Try to make me, ****wit - I'll shoot you dead, and laugh about it over a
beer later. Then I'll stub a cigar butt out on your orphan child's head.-Wilson Woods