Ok so im looking for the ability to surf the net for mostly email, websites, stock quotes, etc
and i want the cheapest lightest way of doing this
does not have to be a pda, in fact i prefer a much bigger display but willing to take a pda

i know the new ipod has wifi & dell put out a new laptop called "?" but its over $400

are there better options?

9/7/2008 2:32:07 PM

Nokia N800/N810

[Edited on September 7, 2008 at 3:54 PM. Reason : probably not the cheapest ]

9/7/2008 3:53:25 PM

buy one of the old Asus EEE PC's with the 7" screens and 900mhz Celeron.

9/7/2008 3:59:38 PM

Basically like one of the netbooks that I'm looking at.

Asus EEE PC
Asus 901
Aspire One
Sylvania G Netbook
a few more of them also. They're all $329-400.

9/7/2008 4:48:59 PM

LENOVO S10 netbook

9/7/2008 4:52:58 PM

used laptop

9/8/2008 10:55:57 AM

Quote :

"used laptop"

9/8/2008 12:48:33 PM

MSI Wind (stands for WiFi Network Device)...comes in white, black, & pink
there's an 8" version that's not sold in the US


• CPU: Intel® Atom™ N270 1.6GHz
• Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
• Display: 10" WSVGA LCD
• Color: Black
• Graphics: Intel® GMA950
• System Memory: 1GB DDR2
• Hard Drive: 80GB SATA I
• Communications: Built-in 802.11b/g WLAN Card / Bluetooth Supported
• Dimensions: 10.23"(L) X7.08"(D) X 0.748"~1.24"(H)
• Weight: 2.6 lbs (6 cell)


but it's about $550

i was searching the intarweb a couple weeks ago for the smallest cheapest internet device. i like this one, but don't want to spend that much money. a used laptop would be cheap, but i'd also like for it to be small. i don't want any word processing crap, games, etc. just wifi and firefox.

i've got a motorola q smartphone but the screen is too small sometimes.

--------------------
dell insprion mini 9

• Intel® Atom Processor® N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
• Mini OS powered by Ubuntu 8.04
• Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
• 512MB1 DDR2 at 533MHz
• 4GB2 Solid State Drive
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950
• Base LCD Assembly
• Wireless 802.11g Mini Card
• 32WHr Battery (4 cell)
• Obsidian Black

brand new direct from dell for $349


[Edited on September 8, 2008 at 1:35 PM. Reason : who wants to buy me one?]

9/8/2008 1:26:02 PM

The iPhone/ipod touch does a really good job if you want something very mobile. If you truly won't be doing any word processing at all, and want *very* mobile, I don't think there's a better alternative. However, I personally would go after a light laptop with linux or windows xp (and probably used at that).

9/8/2008 1:35:13 PM

you can get the dell with windows xp, but it costs more.

the iphone would require a contract with at&t, correct?

[Edited on September 8, 2008 at 1:37 PM. Reason : ]

9/8/2008 1:36:05 PM

Quote :

"Cheapest, Lightest, internet appliance"

you know that there is no such thing as cheapest AND lightest right?
thats like saying you want the cheapest fastest car.

Quote :

"However, I personally would go after a light laptop with linux or windows xp (and probably used at that)."

can't fit that in your pocket

and why not just get an iphone? one device, $200...but I guess you don't have service thru at&t and don't want it

9/8/2008 1:39:21 PM

Quote :

"the iphone would require a contract with at&t, correct? "

the ipod-itouch whatever its called can use wifi so no need for an at&t contract
now i'll look up the prices

the dell mini is pretty much exactly what i want, small yet big enough screen for good use
i think i may get that

9/8/2008 1:49:50 PM

I sold mt 11-inch laptop thinking I was going to replace it with a UMPC / Internet appliance, but nothing exists that quite fits my specifications.

What I want is something like what's posted here, but with a touch screen (maybe convertible tablet & vehicle mount) so I can use it as a GPS & MP3 player in the car, but take it with me if I stop at a coffe shop or whatever.

I only ever found one such device (it had a car mount with a GPS receiver built into it), but it ran WindowsCE (like a mobile version of Win98) and the processor/interface was really slow according to reviews.

9/8/2008 1:57:07 PM

^^yeah, i know the ipod touch doesn't require a contract. i was asking about the iphone.

i want to get a wifi card for my moto q, but i don't have the money right now (it's around $100).

i'd rather have that dell.

want to order 2??

9/8/2008 2:00:00 PM

^sure,
want to pay for 2??


but seriously if we all group up and order i think we'll save some money

9/8/2008 8:17:40 PM

lol

well if you can find any discounts/coupons/etc let me know. i really want one now

9/9/2008 8:57:44 AM

Quote :

"I sold mt 11-inch laptop thinking I was going to replace it with a UMPC / Internet appliance, but nothing exists that quite fits my specifications. What I want is something like what's posted here, but with a touch screen (maybe convertible tablet & vehicle mount) so I can use it as a GPS & MP3 player in the car, but take it with me if I stop at a coffe shop or whatever. I only ever found one such device (it had a car mount with a GPS receiver built into it), but it ran WindowsCE (like a mobile version of Win98) and the processor/interface was really slow according to reviews. "

Same thing here. Been looking at replacing the head unit in my car, but I have a GoBook for work and like the touch screen. I've been looking for something with the exact same benefits, but the search continues.
Craigslist has a lot of "tablets" and "internet surfers" in the Triad area...a couple of Nokia N800s too.

[Edited on September 9, 2008 at 8:00 PM. Reason : n800 not n80]

9/9/2008 7:59:38 PM

The new ipod touch is 229$ for the 8 gig. Won't find a better alternative for browsing unless you go with a smaller laptop.

9/9/2008 9:39:57 PM

hey lafta, did you order one yet?

9/19/2008 9:03:49 AM

Sign me up for one of those Dells. Hope I can get one around xmas.

9/19/2008 5:39:33 PM

Don't know if anyone is still looking for one but the cheap Dells are apparently hitting ebay now. As much as I hate ebay, I ordered mine last night for $350 shipped. They're the $400 versions plus a .3MP cam ($419) and you don't have to worry about the tax/shipping (total from Dell comes to $451.54 shipped). Apparently they're way behind too. It shows a preliminary ship date of October 16.

Anyway, there's 4 left @ $350 shipped "Buy It Now" if anybody else is still wanting one.

9/25/2008 7:34:46 AM

link?

xp or ubuntu?

i want ubuntu


found it. i still want ubuntu though. i want the $350 version for like $300 or less

[Edited on September 25, 2008 at 1:26 PM. Reason : ]

9/25/2008 1:20:41 PM

Yeah, I'm planning on putting Ubuntu on this one. So far, I haven't been able to find any of the linux machines and Dell has a notice that choosing it will delay your ship date so I'm wondering if they are even doing them yet.

I pretty much wanted exactly what I'm getting with 8GB/512 other than the OS. Actually having a XP license will be nice in case I end up needing to do a dual boot w/ XP for a couple of apps at work.

9/25/2008 8:38:02 PM

thats an awsome deal,

9/25/2008 9:05:26 PM

For those interested. My Mini 9 came in today. My impressions: message_topic.aspx?topic=542406

9/26/2008 9:08:47 PM

so why didn't you just post it in this thread? (instead of making a whole new one) ?

9/28/2008 10:56:54 AM

because this thread is about the "cheapest, lightest internet appliance" and that's not necessarily a netbook and it definitely isn't the Dell. The info is only useful for a couple of people in this thread that expressed interest in it.

9/28/2008 12:03:19 PM