What's the BEST netbook for a primary school?

[marsdenprimary]

Hello fellow Edugeekers

 

We are looking to purchase 3 netbooks for our primary school (for out of class learning/mentoring) and wondered if anyone could recommend something REALLY good but not too expensive?

[gill]

We're using Samsung N130 and so far we haven't had any problems but we've only had them 5 weeks. Time will tell!

We did have Asus eee pc but the keyboards were too small for secondary students but they would be great for primary school. They're quite robust and coped with being dropped!

[mb2k01]

I'd go (and have!) with Samsung. The N140 is the latest model I think - very similar to the N130 and NC10. Brilliant little machines and super long battery life.

[MYK-IT]

Like anything in computers, no such thing as the 'best'. All depends what your main factors / requirements are.

 

You will always have issues / problems with batteries, damaged keyboard / screen (lid closed with pen left on keyboard etc), not as fast as a desktop pc etc.

 

You could look at the Dell Latitude 2100. Spec wise it may not be the 'best' but is designed to be sturdier than a standard netbook.

 

Maybe, if you could advise us of what main factors the netbook must have, and more importantly your budget we could help narrow down your choices.

[stevenwba]

I'd go (and have!) with Samsung. The N140 is the latest model I think - very similar to the N130 and NC10. Brilliant little machines and super long battery life.

 

another vote for samsung

 

With an amazing up to 12 hours* of battery life, the SAMSUNG N220 was designed to be there for you all day long. N220 - N-Series - Netbooks - Notebook Computers | SAMSUNG

 

all there netbooks seem to have the same spec, not much to pick between any of them

[marsdenprimary]

Like anything in computers, no such thing as the 'best'. All depends what your main factors / requirements are.

 

You will always have issues / problems with batteries, damaged keyboard / screen (lid closed with pen left on keyboard etc), not as fast as a desktop pc etc.

 

You could look at the Dell Latitude 2100. Spec wise it may not be the 'best' but is designed to be sturdier than a standard netbook.

 

Maybe, if you could advise us of what main factors the netbook must have, and more importantly your budget we could help narrow down your choices.

 

Hmmm...well...good battery life, slightly bigger screen than the 10" ones, decent speed, good wireless card that won't cause us any problems, capable of playing smooth flash content, child and adult-friendly keys (not too small). They don't need to be TOO rugged because they're mainly going to be in the same place when they're being used.

[Little-Miss]

I use the Toshiba's NB200. Apart from our wireless being pants, the kids like them!

[soveryapt]

I use the Toshiba's NB200. Apart from our wireless being pants, the kids like them!

 

+1 for the NB200 (we've got the 123 model though with the Atom 800 not 700 processor).

 

Only problem is they're home, but you could image them depending on your license restrictions and requirements.

 

I also have a couple of the HP Mini 2141 (not sure what the current model is) and they run really nicely.

 

As a personal preference, the HP's have the better keyboard as it feels more natural to type on, so better for transition between desktop / laptop / netbook work.

 

[Dom_]

I just ordered a batch of 30 toshiba nb200's, they threw in xp pro pre-installed with our site license for free too, which saves a lot of hassle! Got a great price if you want my suppliers details.

 

Dom

[mossj]

Samsung NXXX, I have one and love it!

[steveg]

We've used a lot of acer aspire one's here, and have been really impressed with them. The latest ones the 751 has a 5 to 7 hour battery life, full size keyboard and 11" screen, and was coming in at around £211 with xp home.

 

Steve

[adampat84]

We've got 4 Dell Latitude L2100's at the school..

 

they are very sturdy.. an suprisingly brisk.

 

an also rubberised so no scratches.. Woohoo

[marsdenprimary]

Thanks for all your responses guys n gals!

 

Had a look, checked out some reviews etc... and we're going to go for (fanfare) the Samsung N140!

 

Reason: Battery life, design, brand and price.

 

:):)

 

Thanks again peeps!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[witch]

Are you going to have them stand-alone or put XP (or whatever) on them and put them on your network?

[marsdenprimary]

They're going on the network...i've decided to get them with Windows 7 so i'm looking forward to seeing how they perform! Hope they manage...