Single-Core 15.4" budget notebook OR netbook?

Lately, I've seen several full-size notebooks for around $399 or so with single-core processors. Most of them have the 2.16GHz Intel Celeron 585 (667MHz FSB, 1mb L2) and Toshiba has one now with a 2.0GHz AMD Sempron 3600+. They have Vista Home Basic, 2GB of DDR2 RAM and the Intel-based ones have the Intel GMA 4500M graphics processors.

Hypothetically, if portability/size isn't an issue, do you think one of these low-end notebook is a viable alternative to a netbook?

I'm not considering a purchase, but it just got me thinking- which one gets you the most for your $400 or so? And which one has the most upgrade possibilities?

 

If I was going to buy a netbook, I'd be looking at the sizes of 10" to 9", and most normal notebooks don't fall into that category.

For all-intensive purposed, by your description, any low end, cheaply priced notebook could be considered a netbook, but I don't believe that is why this new category of laptops was created.

Essentially, the size is what makes the netbook. So I suppose you're right.

 

What I'm asking is- if you've got $400 and you need a system to access the internet, e-mail, perform basic productivity tasks (word docs, etc.) and portability isn't a factor- which one makes more sense and why?

 

I would get a 15.4 inch laptop. It's easy to upgrade and you can get more out of it, and for $400, i'm pretty sure you can get one with a dual core processor these days. The one in my sig I got for $350

 

If size is not a factor, then I would think the 15.4 would be better because it would have a dvd drive in it. It is also easier to read. I think even the low end celeron would be faster than the adam. Also the graphics card would be better.

 

The budget 15" notebooks still generally perform basic tasks a little bit better than netbooks. They also don't suffer from non-standard resolutions like some netbooks do. And as already mentioned, they have built-in optical drives.

 

You can get even more than that for $400:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4847
I bought that notebook with a 2.0GHz dual-core CPU, Vista Premium, and a nice display/keyboard for $400.

It all depends on preferences - I'd sooner have an actual notebook because resolution is very important to me and the 1024x576 res on most netbooks simply doesn't cut it. For an inexpensive travel companion, the Acer does it for me.

 

^ that computer is not available anywhere for $400. Not anymore, anyway.

I'd get a netbook for $400. probably an Eee PC. 5-8 hours of battery life and all the basic computing tasks you use. at less than 3lbs.

 

You can get a dual core Pentium laptop with 1-2 GB of RAM for around $400. I think I saw a Compaq system a week or two ago for that price. At that price point, if I needed a laptop for basic use, I would definitely get a budget 15" rather than a netbook.

 

I've seen quite a few dual-core (Pentium Dual-Core and AMD Athlon X2) for under $400 from time to time. I think it's safe to say any dual-core would outperform a similar single-core Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron.

I just think that even the 15.4" notebooks with the single-core (at least the Celeron) would be more functional than a netbook, if I had to choose between the two. I've used a Dell Inspiron with XP and the 2.0GHz Intel Celeron 560 (533MHz FSB, 1mb L2) and it surprised me how responsive it seemed. Vista Home Basic and the 2.16GHz Celeron 585 might not be quite as snappy, but I suspect it would be functional (just not a lot of multi-tasking)...and the 1280x800 display would make it even more tolerable.

With XP installed along with the Celeron 585, 2GB DDR2 RAM, Intel 4500MHD graphics and new Intel GL40 or GM45 chipset it would actually be a decent setup. Of course, that puts it closer to $500 and there are more than a few dual-core models that would make more sense at that price point.

It's just interesting to see Celeron-based systems (and Sempron) showing up in stores again. I suppose that netbooks have lowered the threshold of acceptable performance compared to what it was a year ago, for instance. Or maybe it has less to do with netbooks and more to do with the economy and filling the demand for cheap notebooks?

 

without a doubt, the budget notebooks will be more powerful and versatile than netbooks. the netbook's emphasis is on cheap portability and sometimes extra long battery life. this does away with cd/dvd drives, larger screens, full sized keyboards and makes use of less powerful, low voltage processors (although dual core atom's on are the way). Until then, even low end Semprons and Celerons will outperform them.

if you absolutely need a small notebook with great battery life and you can live with less features, netbooks are the sure way to go.