Old School Netbook - HP TC1100

The GDGT Podcast #3 with Ryan Block and Peter Rojas finally got around to talking about "netbooks" after teasing us in Podcast #1 and Podcast #2.  It was a great discussion, and they asked for recommendations from listeners on what they would recommend.

My recommendation based on some recent research would be the MSI Wind.  A lot of what I have been able to gather comes from a variety of blogs and gadget sites, but is heavily based on comments/research/analysis made by Kevin Toffel at jkOnTheRun's Mobile Tech Roundup podcast.  The MSI Wind seems like the right mix of features vs. cost -- the biggest bang for your buck.

That being said, for the last couple of years I've been using a Hewlett-Packard (HP) TC1100 as my "netbook" or "Internet tablet" around the house and on family vacations. It continues to fit  many of my needs, and still has a great run down of features:

• pen interface
• Windows XP SP2 the Tablet Extensions
• support for tablet and standard laptop form factors
• pretty good keyboard if needed (I don't use it that often)
• 802.11a/b/g WiFi
• two USB ports
• 1024 x 768 ( XGA )10" LCD screen
• Bluetooth
• 3.5mm headset-microphone jack (great for SKYPE)
• full PC Card slot (like for EVDO)
• ~2 hours of battery life [with 2 backups available]
• SD card slot
• modem (actually useful if you need to send a fax)
• 10/100 Ethernet port

What I use it for:

• browsing (IE, Firefox, Chrome, WebKit, Flock, Safri)
• cloud applications (Google Docs, Gmail, Evernote, Newsgator)
• iTunes 'news' podcasts (Fox, CNN, NYTimes, WSJ, CNET, Stratfor, CBS Radio, InfoWorld, CNET, NPR)
• social networking (Twitter, FriendFeed, Meebo)
• communications (SKYPE, Gizmo, Thunderbird)

If you go the route of trying to find an TC1100, I would definitely recommend the version with an Intel Pentium M chip, and get as much RAM as possible.  Mine has 1.5-GBs.

Any other options for an old school netbook?

Comments

[ssunderani01@gmail.com]

HP was always short for Hewlett-Packard Company all company branding was strictly Hewlett-Packard Company not HP. As I drive home down Page Mill Rd the sign on the grass says ‘hp” not Hewlett-Packard Company.

[Used Refurbished Laptops]

bought the laptop on March from a BestBuy and it broke on April. The video screen got corrupted/jumbled and didn't work anymore. I sent it back to HP, through BestBuy since HP has a 1 year warranty on it. When in line at BestBuy to send it back, I found out there were 2 other people waiting in line to send their HP Laptops (the same model I had) for the exact same problem!
HP sent it back and refused to fix it because they said the machine was "dirty". How can "dirty" be a deal-breaker?!!! I had the laptop in a normal desk setup, it didn't get any more dirty than anything else around it. Saying they won't fix something because it's "dirty" gives them card-blanch to refuse service on ANYTHING! Basically their warranties mean NOTHING!!! Don't buy from this company - they make faulty equipment that they refuse to service for any reason or no reason at all.