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Okay–I’ve been holding off on buying an ultraportable since before there were netbooks. I’ve been looking at this site since its inception. I finally joined because I’ve just planned a 6-week trip to Europe (live in Santa Monica, CA) for the end of April (am so excited). I will be staying a month in Florence and just found out the apt. I’m renting will definitely have wifi. So even though I was waiting for the prices to go lower than $400, I’m willing to go with J&R’s price of $418.49 through Live.com cashback.
Color-wise I would prefer the black (I have no laptops of any kind and black just looks more…chic I guess), but the fingerprint issue would probably annoy me. I have not been able to find a Sammy in my local Best Buy but I have examined an HP 1000 (or whatever it’s called) which is also 10.2 and piano black. The fingerprints on the demo are horrible. Now I recognize the difference between a demo and only my own delicate hands, but that leads me back to thinking white will be less annoying. I have read several threads that suggest that white stays pretty clean. So–black (or blue owners), if you had to do it again, would you now buy white?
I’ve also seen the…”I can’t watch DVDs” on my NC10 questions. Is there a special codec (or whatever it’s called) that’s best. And I see that there are some fairly low-priced external slim-line DVD drives on E-Bay. Anybody know about those? Or more generally, what would be the best external drive to buy to watch movies in Italy.
Also, if anybody knows where to download movies in Italy, any tips? My friend in Spain uses ITunes, so I assume this exists in the rest of Europe. I would imagine it would take a long time on this processor–overnight? Here is USA we have Netflix. Don’t think that exists in Europe yet? Alternatives? I know from a friend there are a lot of video stores in Florence (where I’ll be for a month) so that’s always an option.
Also, I’m such a newbie (remember, I’ve never owned a laptop of any kind!) –re using the computer on a transcontinental flight for 8 hours or so–would I be able to plug it in at my seat or would I have to use it battery only?
Thanks in advance!
I have a black NC10, if I had to choose again I might go for white. But really I don’t notice the fingerprints much.
DVD wise most players will come with software (including a codec) to allow you to play back DVD’s. If not, one option would be to use VLC.
Video download service wise iTunes should be available though the selection may be more limited, I can’t recommend any alternative though as I don’t know what’s available in Italy. The amount of time it takes to download videos is dependant on the speed of the internet connection, it doesn’t matter how fast the computers processor is.
[quote1234742920=samoca]
re using the computer on a transcontinental flight for 8 hours or so–would I be able to plug it in at my seat or would I have to use it battery only?
Thanks in advance!
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If you’re flying in Economy, very few airlines have in seat power. Great website Seat Guru which tells you about the seats on most major airlines so you should be able to check that out. If you don’t have in seat power then battery is your only option, although by the time you take off / land…. the NC10 should last fine for the time in between!I just PM’d you. I like the white matt finish on my NC10. No fingerprints. I can get anal with things like that. Same with buying a new book – no tears or creases!
I’ll be taking my netbook to France with me in May! I won’t be there as long as you are in Italy. I’ll have to hunt down wifi cafes in Paris and Provence.
Ditto to Seat Guru. I use that anytime I book my airline tickets.
Monica
I’ve had my Blue for about 3 weeks and am quite happy with it and would happily buy the same color again. Like you, I had to buy it sight unseen online as Frys and Best Buy only had a couple of brands on display. The only netbooks I could find locally were the smaller 701 and 901 eee’s and an older HP model. The only time I notice the fingerprints mine is when the case is closed sitting on my coffee table. Once the case is open – no *visible* fingerprints. But I do tend to wipe it down everytime I shut down. The keyboard and screen bezel has a matte finish
My white NC10 just arrived and I couldn’t be happier. I got it from Buy.com and it was only $414.95 shipped after signing up for their instant credit card offer. No rebate BS. Fantastic keyboard, no fingerprints, looks like an Apple product, what more could you want? Well if it an Ubuntu out of the box, and saved you $50… If you can wait a little though there is a special Amazon only version that has longer battery life and suppose to have a better track pad. I don’t have any issues with the current track pad and the battery life is long enough for me so I’ll happily save the extra $$$.
I’ve never liked using the track pad, but I’m doing pretty well with this one. I do intend to get a travel size mouse.
[quote1234913842=mjpileggi]
I’ve never liked using the track pad, but I’m doing pretty well with this one. I do intend to get a travel size mouse.
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You may wish to check out this thread for mouse recommendations.Even without the wifi in Italy – the NC10 is worth it for the flights alone!
I have the blue & would do it again but I rate uniquness (have not seen another blue netbook while white seems to be popular) over fingerprints. The glossy finish does attract prints but not as bad as I thought.
I’ve returned both blue and white NC10 and waiting for NC20 to come to the states. I would say go with whatever color you like, if it’s white no issue with fingerprints but it’s not Mac-like white – it’s more like white+gray mix. If it’s not white you will have to handle it more carefully, only touch it on the periphery of the lid and swipe it from time to time. It’s not such of a big issue to force you buy another color. The blue lid is really pretty but keep in mind, inside they are all plastic matte looking, meaning the inside is never as spectacular as the lid.
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