Notebook / Laptop Advice

[Elton]

I could do with some advice.

 

When I'm at home, my time is generally spent running Anglers' Net and selling stuff. I have very little time to write articles. In fact, the backlog of mundane work builds up every day.

 

I want to go fishing more this year and, as some of that will involve days on carp lakes and the odd night in Travelodges, so this would be an ideal time to write articles and reviews. Not only will I be free from distractions, but I should also be in the right frame of mind.

 

I own an old laptop. The battery is useless and, even when I did use take it with me, it was too big and didn't last long enough.

 

What would be the best solution for me? I need something, basically, that will just allow me to type. It needs to be fairly compact, but by the same token, I don't like small keyboards. It also needs to hold a good charge.

 

I'd really appreciate some recommendations, especially on the possible 'secondhand' front, as I'm pretty skint. I'm going to list a load of stuff on Ebay to pay for whatever I get, but don't want it costing an arm and a leg.

 

Thanks in advance for any help.

[chesters1]

i keep a whole lot (well actually all) of my intrepid details on my pda so when i'm at a boot fair i can instantly see if i have the particular model ,its box etc ,trouble is its only a small screen but works under windows and the modern ones have wireless as well as bluetooth ,as for the keyboard i use the onboard one but you can get "real" ones that connect to the pda via bluetooth or direct connection.

pocket sized but use windows mobile 2003 word and excel and media player so you can store your music etc.

mines good enough for what i want but perhaps to small for what you want.

the modern ones have built in phones and gps ,i look and wish

you can enter details via your pc or t' other way round and they sync together.

hp are a very good make and their website ofcourse far better than some!

if its just for stuff where word processing is the main use its far smaller and lighter than a laptop ,if you need a larger screen then laptops are best but in between are tablet pc's but i havnt any experience of those.

you can get a larger battery for mine but it also charges via usb (you can get car cigarette lighter plugins with usb sockets as well as built in mini inverters) or ordinary car lighter doodas

they have small by modern standard built in memory (as in storage) but have slots for memory cards etc ,mine has a gig CF which is plenty for me

theres always a constant supply on fleabay

Edited May 24, 2008 by chesters1

[poledark]

Back in the days when I used to write a bit, I carried a small "dictaphone" type thingy.

 

Den

[Elton]

Back in the days when I used to write a bit, I carried a small "dictaphone" type thingy.

 

Den

 

Den,

 

I have most of the articles 'written' in my head - my memory is almost like a dictaphone. It's just when I get home, I'd like to be able to simply upload them to AN, add a photo and move on to editing chesters' posts and stuff...

[chesters1]

Den,

 

I have most of the articles 'written' in my head - my memory is almost like a dictaphone. It's just when I get home, I'd like to be able to simply upload them to AN, add a photo and move on to editing chesters' posts and stuff...

 

go for a full sized PC then

the pda's record as well so they are a dictaphone

Edited May 24, 2008 by chesters1

[jeepster]

Asus EeePC 900 google it, it's the dangles

[corydoras]

Asus EeePC 900 google it, it's the dangles

A stonking bit of kit for the asking price. There's a review here Elton.

[medwaygreen]

With what you have said regarding keyboard size you are going to need a standard laptop and not a compact type unit.

 

Rather than gamble on a secondhand unit on e-bay, Google laptops for students this fires up lots of sites for low cost and refurbished laptops that come with guarantees, i have seen good spec units starting from around £190.00.

 

Hope this helps.

[RobStubbs]

Asus EeePC 900 google it, it's the dangles

 

That was gonna be my suggestion as well. Perfect for what you want and whilst the keyboard is small, it isn't too small. I have one and the battery charge is also pretty damn good too. Oh and mine was 210 pounds, they're probably even cheaper now.

 

Rob.

[Elton]

Where did you get it, Rob? Prices seem way above that on a quick search.

 

Now off to do a bit more searching....cheers, chaps