netbooks--XP vs. Win7

Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop is a
beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel comfortable going
with an operating system that's clearly on the way out, and Windows 7 runs
just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice and
ABT has it for $349 plus tax.

Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to play DVDs is outrageous. I have to
believe there will appear down-loadable freeware patches to correct this
problem. And thereby save the $80 upgrade fee.

On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook with Windows 7 Home Premium
pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for $399, so you don't pay much for
the convenience of forgoing the upgrading hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with Windows
7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter become more
widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I noticed
that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter. From what
I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I want--can't play DVDs,
can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP mode, etc. However, an
upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from Starter that I could find on
the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne




.

I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external
for mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop is a
beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel comfortable going
with an operating system that's clearly on the way out, and Windows 7 runs
just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice and
ABT has it for $349 plus tax.

Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to play DVDs is outrageous. I have to
believe there will appear down-loadable freeware patches to correct this
problem. And thereby save the $80 upgrade fee.

On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook with Windows 7 Home Premium
pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for $399, so you don't pay much for
the convenience of forgoing the upgrading hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with Windows
7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter become more
widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I noticed
that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter. From what
I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I want--can't play DVDs,
can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP mode, etc. However, an
upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from Starter that I could find on
the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne




.

I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external
for mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Jo-Anne wrote:
Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter.
From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

I wouldn't personally ever choose a 'netbook' of any sort. It doesn't meet
my needs (norr does it really sound like it will do much in meeting yours
either.) There are many laptops that are only slightly bigger that will do
much more, do it without the frustrations a netbook will likely present,
etc.

In any case - I cannot see trying to squeeze *any* version of Windows 7 (no
matter how much I like it, how well I personally think it works, etc) onto a
netbook and expecting much of an enjoyable experience. Now I could be wrong
and perhaps they have put better processors and faster RAM in the netbooks
since I looked into them this summer.

If you can get a NetBook that woudl run Windows 7 comfortably - Core2Duo
2+GHz with 2 to 4GB memory and 40+GB drive space - go for it. At least
you'd have something modern that would be fairly easy to use in various
wireless situations and will accept modern software for a long time to come.
However - if you are much like most people I personally have seen get
Netbooks - the machine will likely end up sitting idle most of the timeand
only be used in a pinch and you might have beenbetter off with an iPhone -
so go the least expensive (Windows XP) route. ;-)

Everyones needs are different. I have found that a netbook is very
useful when I travel. It is light, wireless, and relatively good all
around. It sure beats hauling around a Laptop.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
Jo-Anne wrote:
Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter.
From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

I wouldn't personally ever choose a 'netbook' of any sort. It doesn't meet
my needs (norr does it really sound like it will do much in meeting yours
either.) There are many laptops that are only slightly bigger that will do
much more, do it without the frustrations a netbook will likely present,
etc.

In any case - I cannot see trying to squeeze *any* version of Windows 7 (no
matter how much I like it, how well I personally think it works, etc) onto a
netbook and expecting much of an enjoyable experience. Now I could be wrong
and perhaps they have put better processors and faster RAM in the netbooks
since I looked into them this summer.

If you can get a NetBook that woudl run Windows 7 comfortably - Core2Duo
2+GHz with 2 to 4GB memory and 40+GB drive space - go for it. At least
you'd have something modern that would be fairly easy to use in various
wireless situations and will accept modern software for a long time to come.
However - if you are much like most people I personally have seen get
Netbooks - the machine will likely end up sitting idle most of the timeand
only be used in a pinch and you might have beenbetter off with an iPhone -
so go the least expensive (Windows XP) route. ;-)

Everyones needs are different. I have found that a netbook is very
useful when I travel. It is light, wireless, and relatively good all
around. It sure beats hauling around a Laptop.

"Rick" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop
is a beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel
comfortable going with an operating system that's clearly on the way out,
and Windows 7 runs just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice
and ABT has it for $349 plus tax. Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to
play DVDs is outrageous. I have to believe there will appear
down-loadable freeware patches to correct this problem. And thereby save
the $80 upgrade fee. On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook
with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for
$399, so you don't pay much for the convenience of forgoing the upgrading
hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows 7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter
become more widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home
Starter. From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better
off sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm
curious what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne


I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external for
mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Hi, Rick,

Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation. I've read that there's no Media Center and no remote
media streaming either.

Jo-Anne

"Rick" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop
is a beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel
comfortable going with an operating system that's clearly on the way out,
and Windows 7 runs just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice
and ABT has it for $349 plus tax. Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to
play DVDs is outrageous. I have to believe there will appear
down-loadable freeware patches to correct this problem. And thereby save
the $80 upgrade fee. On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook
with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for
$399, so you don't pay much for the convenience of forgoing the upgrading
hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows 7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter
become more widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home
Starter. From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better
off sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm
curious what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne


I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external for
mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Hi, Rick,

Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation. I've read that there's no Media Center and no remote
media streaming either.

Jo-Anne

Hi, Richard,

If you're looking at the NB205-N230, check out the NB205-N330. The keyboard
is much better. What's weird is that when I check Amazon for the N330, it
shows up for most of the colors of the netbook. If I click on black,
however, the price goes down and the number changes to N230. From what I can
see in the photo, that means the cheaper and nowhere-near-as-good keyboard
comes with the black netbook, whereas the color ones get the better
keyboard--at least as far as I can tell.

Jo-Anne

"Richard" Richard @discussions.microsoft.com wrote in message
...
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop is
a
beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel comfortable
going
with an operating system that's clearly on the way out, and Windows 7 runs
just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice
and
ABT has it for $349 plus tax.

Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to play DVDs is outrageous. I have to
believe there will appear down-loadable freeware patches to correct this
problem. And thereby save the $80 upgrade fee.

On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook with Windows 7 Home
Premium
pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for $399, so you don't pay much for
the convenience of forgoing the upgrading hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows
7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter become more
widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed
that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter. From
what
I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I want--can't play
DVDs,
can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP mode, etc. However, an
upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from Starter that I could find
on
the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne




.

Hi, Richard,

If you're looking at the NB205-N230, check out the NB205-N330. The keyboard
is much better. What's weird is that when I check Amazon for the N330, it
shows up for most of the colors of the netbook. If I click on black,
however, the price goes down and the number changes to N230. From what I can
see in the photo, that means the cheaper and nowhere-near-as-good keyboard
comes with the black netbook, whereas the color ones get the better
keyboard--at least as far as I can tell.

Jo-Anne

"Richard" Richard @discussions.microsoft.com wrote in message
...
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop is
a
beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel comfortable
going
with an operating system that's clearly on the way out, and Windows 7 runs
just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks nice
and
ABT has it for $349 plus tax.

Windows 7 Home Starter's inability to play DVDs is outrageous. I have to
believe there will appear down-loadable freeware patches to correct this
problem. And thereby save the $80 upgrade fee.

On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook with Windows 7 Home
Premium
pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for $399, so you don't pay much for
the convenience of forgoing the upgrading hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows
7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter become more
widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed
that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home Starter. From
what
I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what I want--can't play
DVDs,
can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP mode, etc. However, an
upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from Starter that I could find
on
the Microsoft website) would add $80 to the cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my
other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better off
sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm curious
what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne




.

Jo-Anne wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop
is a beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel
comfortable going with an operating system that's clearly on the way
out,
and Windows 7 runs just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks
nice
and ABT has it for $349 plus tax. Windows 7 Home Starter's inability
to
play DVDs is outrageous. I have to believe there will appear
down-loadable freeware patches to correct this problem. And thereby
save
the $80 upgrade fee. On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook
with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for
$399, so you don't pay much for the convenience of forgoing the
upgrading
hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows 7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter
become more widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home
Starter. From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what
I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to
the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better
off sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm
curious what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne


I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external for
mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Hi, Rick,

Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any of
multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

Jo-Anne wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...
Richard wrote:
I've been thinking about the same purchase. (My 17 inch Gateway laptop
is a beast to travel with.) I love Windows XP but I don't feel
comfortable going with an operating system that's clearly on the way
out,
and Windows 7 runs just fine on netbooks.

In its December 2009 issue, Consumer Reports gave a high rating for the
Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 which runs Windows 7 Home Starter. It looks
nice
and ABT has it for $349 plus tax. Windows 7 Home Starter's inability
to
play DVDs is outrageous. I have to believe there will appear
down-loadable freeware patches to correct this problem. And thereby
save
the $80 upgrade fee. On the other hand, you could just buy a netbook
with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed. ABT has the HP Mini 311 for
$399, so you don't pay much for the convenience of forgoing the
upgrading
hassle.

Or you could wait. I'm sure there will be more netbooks coming with
Windows 7 Home Premium once the deficiencies of Windows 7 Home Starter
become more widely known.

Good Luck,
Richard

"Jo-Anne" wrote:

Just as I was gearing myself up to buy a netbook with Windows XP, I
noticed that some netbooks are being offered with Windows 7 Home
Starter. From what I've read about Starter, it doesn't sound like what
I
want--can't play DVDs, can't change wallpaper or color, can't run in XP
mode, etc. However, an upgrade to Home Premium (the only upgrade from
Starter that I could find on the Microsoft website) would add $80 to
the
cost of the computer.

I'd use the netbook primarily for travel, so I want mainly internet
browsing, email, word processing, movie watching--and synching files to
my other computers.

Is it worth trying the new OS, with the upgrade, or would I be better
off sticking with WinXP? I know this is a matter of opinion, but I'm
curious what other, more experienced users have chosen.

Thank you!

Jo-Anne


I did not know that netbooks had cd/dvd drives. I bought an external for
mine ant it has proved to be very satisfactory.

Hi, Rick,

Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any of
multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

snip
Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any
of multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

Hi, Bill,

I'm not sure what you'd have to do to get DVD playback, but it's not in the
Windows 7 Starter Edition. Nor is the ability to change wallpaper--and there
are a few other missing things. I Googled

netbook windows 7 starter dvd playback

and got lots of hits. One site said something about "3rd party codecs" to be
able to play videos.

Jo-Anne

snip
Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive, you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any
of multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

Hi, Bill,

I'm not sure what you'd have to do to get DVD playback, but it's not in the
Windows 7 Starter Edition. Nor is the ability to change wallpaper--and there
are a few other missing things. I Googled

netbook windows 7 starter dvd playback

and got lots of hits. One site said something about "3rd party codecs" to be
able to play videos.

Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne wrote:
snip
Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive,
you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any
of multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

Hi, Bill,

I'm not sure what you'd have to do to get DVD playback, but it's not in
the
Windows 7 Starter Edition. Nor is the ability to change wallpaper--and
there
are a few other missing things. I Googled

netbook windows 7 starter dvd playback

and got lots of hits. One site said something about "3rd party codecs" to
be
able to play videos.

Jo-Anne

You *may* need some codecs.

But you certainly would need some DVD player program too, say like PowerDVD,
or Zoom Player, or Media Player Classic, or perhaps even the regular Windows
Media Player can do it now (not sure about that one).

I don't know what Windows7 includes. (I'm still using XP, and want to stay
there).

Jo-Anne wrote:
snip
Netbooks do not have DVD drives. What Richard is referring to regarding
playing DVDs is movies (and maybe music too). With an external drive,
you
can read and write DVDs, but you can't play movies that are on them--a
ridiculous limitation.

Why is that? Are you sure? What's to prevent someone from using any
of multitude of DVD player programs from doing that?

Hi, Bill,

I'm not sure what you'd have to do to get DVD playback, but it's not in
the
Windows 7 Starter Edition. Nor is the ability to change wallpaper--and
there
are a few other missing things. I Googled

netbook windows 7 starter dvd playback

and got lots of hits. One site said something about "3rd party codecs" to
be
able to play videos.

Jo-Anne

You *may* need some codecs.

But you certainly would need some DVD player program too, say like PowerDVD,
or Zoom Player, or Media Player Classic, or perhaps even the regular Windows
Media Player can do it now (not sure about that one).

I don't know what Windows7 includes. (I'm still using XP, and want to stay
there).