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[systeme_d_]

So I'm considering getting a Lenovo netbook. The X120e, to be precise.

My job involves travel between a couple of campuses and an archive, constant use of public transportation, and a typical day includes a lot of walking, so portability (as in not heavy) is a big factor in my decision.

I want to be able to use MSWord and PowerPoint on whatever machine I buy.  I want a quick boot-up, and I want to be able to do internet searches with ease and relative speed.  I also want reliability, and durability. 

Am I looking at the right kind of machine for my needs?  I have done some research, and I have read many reviews, but I can't say I understand everything the reviewers are writing about. For instance, this:

The Lenovo ThinkPad X120e isn’t for everyone. The smallish screen and so-so productivity performance will make using it as a primary PC, a frustrating experience. But as an adjunct to a desktop PC for business users and prosumers who need a better-than-a-netbook traveling companion but don’t want to spend much, the X120e is worth a look.

What exactly is "productivity performance"?  Do I need it?

And what does this person mean, exactly, by "primary PC"?  I mean, I do plan to actually use this thing daily, and keep my regular-sized Lenovo laptop at home.  So the netbook would get a heck of a lot of usage.  And I don't have, and don't want, a desktop.  (Well, I have one in my office, but I barely use it.)

And what the hell is a "prosumer"?

Also, many of these tech reviewers seem to be saying that netbooks are being eclipsed by tablets.  Should I care?  Why?  A tablet looks like a big-ass cell phone to me, and I don't need another cell phone.

Bottom line:  Am I looking at the right kind of machine for my needs?  Am I being stupid by overlooking tablets?  Any advice would be very, very welcome.

[larryc]

Looks like a good choice to me. It has all the power you will need for what you do. I love Lenovos and love the 11.6" form factor, the keyboard is big enough for serious writing. Do pick up an extra charger so you can keep one in the office and one at home and don't have to carry one around.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

"Prosumer" is a made-up meaningless word that started in the AV world, there meaning nonprofessional equipment with some professional attributes.

The chicklet keyboard will be inferior to a good desktop keyboard or regular ThinkPad non-net notebooks.  However, overall the machine should be plenty powerful for this use. - DvF

[systeme_d_]

Thanks to both of you, Larryc and DvF.  Your opinions are really valuable to me, since you're both very tech-savvy.

I do love the usual ThinkPad keyboards, and it is a little sad that the X120e netbook doesn't have one.

Does anyone have advice about using PowerPoint on this little machine?  Is MS Office too bloated to put on a small machine like this?  Should I download parts of OpenOffice instead?

[spork]

Thanks to both of you, Larryc and DvF.  Your opinions are really valuable to me, since you're both very tech-savvy.

I do love the usual ThinkPad keyboards, and it is a little sad that the X120e netbook doesn't have one.

Does anyone have advice about using PowerPoint on this little machine?  Is MS Office too bloated to put on a small machine like this?  Should I download parts of OpenOffice instead?

If you will have wireless or 3G access, have you thought about using the presentations feature on Google Docs?

[janewales]

How much RAM does it have, SD? That might affect whether you could comfortably run the Office programs together (I see no reason why you couldn't put them on this machine). I'd look for 4GB.

I do have an iPad, but I don't use it as my daily machine in the way you're describing, so I think you're on the right track, looking for a capable light traditional computer rather than a tablet. I've always liked the reliability and durability of Thinkpads (and their keyboards), so if the current model has solved some of the problems that led to less-than-stellar performance in the last iteration, this could be a good choice.

[aristotelian]

I have an Asus EEE netbook. I love it for checking email and surfing the web while I am traveling (but some would argue for a tablet for these functions). However, I agree with the review of the Lenovo that I would not recommend it (or any netbook) as a primary computer, ie the computer where you are doing the bulk of your professional work.

The screen is very small so it is difficult to multitask between windows.  If you have two windows open, they print will be so small you can't see what you are doing. The keyboard is more responsive than a touch screen but it is still small. I find myself making tons of mistakes. Again, fine for emails to friends but not great for intensive word processing on professional documents. It would probably be a pain to go back and forth between your word processor and citation software (Zotero or Endnote), for example.

On my netbook I use OpenOffice (using a Ubuntu OS). I like OpenOffice because it is comparable enough to MS Office, and you can update it for free without having to worry about it going out of date. No problems with the OpenOffice applications, but again, I would not to do anything too intensive on them.

It sounds like you want a computer that is not your primary computer, but that you will use for many comparable tasks to your primary computer. In that case, I would probably suggest a true laptop, but maybe go for light weight over performance compared to your "primary" laptop. An "ultraportable" like the Macbook Air would be great, but cost way more than a netbook. A "thin and light" might be in your price range and a bit more portable than your current laptop:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=2030080032&PropertyCodeValue=398%3A11103%2C398%3A14800%2C398%3A6691%2C398%3A6690%2C445%3A14142%2C445%3A14143&page=2&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

If you are going to use this for professional work functions on a daily basis, you probably want to head over Best Buy to try a couple netbooks and lightweight notebooks to get a feel for the options.

[eigen]

The Macbook Air is a really nice ultraportable- the 11.6" barely weighs more than an iPad, and seems like it would fit what you want very well. Runs productivity programs, nearly instant turn-on, and very light. It also has a full sized keyboard, so it's comfortable to type on.

They're more expensive, but if you buy a refurbished model of the last generation (new battery, new outer shell, any other repairs already made), you can get a 2gb ram/64 gb SSD model from 2010 for $699, which isn't bad at all. For most tasks, that model is still perfectly sufficient, and it probably gets a little better battery life than the newer ones. But definitely check the refurb'd models- they're in great shape, come with an as-new warranty, and you save a few hundred dollars on them.

11.6 inches is small, but with a good resolution (which it has), and being able to use the touchpad to swipe back and forth between windows, I really don't notice a huge loss of space. And if you're at your desk, you can always hook it up to a larger external monitor.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

The processing power on the X120e will be more than enough for running Word etc., especially if you get the 1.6GHZ fusion processor.  If you decide you really need more power, the X130e is available for $100 more (around $500) and has a 1.4GHZ i3 processor.

I'm curious what you can get from Apple in this price range. - DvF

[zharkov]

The processing power on the X120e will be more than enough for running Word etc., especially if you get the 1.6GHZ fusion processor.  If you decide you really need more power, the X130e is available for $100 more (around $500) and has a 1.4GHZ i3 processor.

I'm curious what you can get from Apple in this price range. - DvF

An iPad.   The cheapest Air goes for about a grand, but has an SSD, so should boot more or less instantly.  (Don't have one, so don't know.)

About netbooks (and computers in general), there is a shortage of hard drives owing to floods in Thailand.  So it seems that many of the mid-200s netbooks that were being pushed toward the end of last year have disappeared and not replaced by new models (yet).  I'm specifically thinking of brands like Toshiba and Acer, and don't know if this affects Lenovo.

[eigen]

The first is currently out of stock (though comes in stock fairly regularly), and would be:

11.6" MBA 1.4 Ghz Dual Core C2D processor, 64 GB SSD, 2 GB Ram, 320M graphics card, 2.3 lbs @ $699

11.6 MBA 1.6 Ghz Dual Core i5 processor, 64 GB SSD, 2 GB Ram, HD3000 graphics, 2.4 lbs. @849

Storage is small, but the SSD really helps with speed. I haven't seen any slowdowns yet with multiple powerpoints, word documents, e-mail open in the background, Endnote and multiple Safari tabs. With the SSD, it turns on within about 2 seconds of opening the lid. I've been getting about 6-8 hours of battery life out of mine, but it depends on use.

There are other refurbished options out there for better specs, $799 will get you a 128 GB SSD, $899 will get you the 13"/2.9lb 1.86/2/128 configuration.

Those are the cheapest apple options, the only thing cheaper would be (as mentioned) an iPad in the $350-$650 range.

[larryc]

The X120e should run Office, including Powerpoint, just fine.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

I'm curious what you can get from Apple in this price range. - DvF

An iPad.

Doesn't at all meet the OP's requirements, even when coupled with a keyboard.  (I just gave away an iPad.  Cute toy.)

11.6" MBA 1.4 Ghz Dual Core C2D processor, 64 GB SSD, 2 GB Ram, 320M graphics card, 2.3 lbs @ $699

Leaving a netbook as the best choice in the $400 price range, especially if HD space is important. - DvF

[eigen]

11.6" MBA 1.4 Ghz Dual Core C2D processor, 64 GB SSD, 2 GB Ram, 320M graphics card, 2.3 lbs @ $699

Leaving a netbook as the best choice in the $400 price range, especially if HD space is important. - DvF

Yup. It just depends how restrictive the price-range is, vs. what features are most important.

After using an SSD regularly, going to a 5400 HD would be painful, and similarly, most of the work I do doesn't take up a lot of HD space. But if you need a lot of storage/lower price range, a netbook like the X120e is definitely the way to go.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

I agree that a SSD is very nice; the day I bought my current notebook I put the 320G drive that came with it into an external case for backup, and put a 160G SSD drive into the notebook.  64G is awfully small, but if that is enough for the OP then the going price on 60G drives is around $90, so he can have that functionality too (as well as a free 320G drive for backup) for under $500 total. - DvF