I have the acer one netbook in pink and have very much enjoyed it. However if you want mostly an ebook reader you should probably get one of those because the battery on those devices last for weeks where as a netbook has like a 3 or 6 hr battery depending on which you buy. I do read books on my netbook using the kindle for pc and other readers it is good but an ereader would be easier to hold to read. Most all netbooks now come already with wifi built in, mine did and it works fine. Most of them have the Intel Atom processor which is ok not a fast, super processor in any way, it is specifically made for the smaller netbooks. Mine has xp on it and it runs that fine, some come with windows 7 starter edition which is a very stripped down version and not one I personally would be happy with, but the smaller processors are not made to run windows 7 full versions and if they do it will be slower than xp of course.

Using it as a netbook it works just fine, I can do anything I need on it that I can do on my desktop. It did come with the regular junk on it that can be removed like McAfee and Microsoft trial of student office etc. I have been very pleased with my purchase.

However I read a LOT and several members of my family own kindles and I have used theirs and for reading books it is so much easier which is why I would love an ebook reader. I did find recently what is almost like a mini ipad it has color and wifi it can be used to surf the web, google email etc and read, it runs on the google android operating system is 7" which is bigger than some of the ones that are 5" and it has my interest. My friend has the phone with the google android OS and loves it, android is a linux version so is very stable. This is the link to it.
7.0 Inch Ezy EB07 Ebook Portable Electronic Book Reader w/ WiFi, Google Android OS - EB07

I will tell you that with the release of the ipad there will be a lot of new products that are a hybrid of the netbook and ipad coming out soon from China and the other heavy electronics producing countries. So I think prices will be coming down on some things.

My want would be one like this one I am linking to however I would love to be able to install kindle reader on it and so far kindle has not created the kindle for pc in a linux version. However since it is a google based product it certainly could handle google books and use other reader programs. I love the kindle feature that you get the books directly from amazon so easily and that their kindle books are much cheaper than the same book from other places most of the top sellers being in the $10 range.

If you have any questions about the acer netbook that I can answer I would be happy to. Definitely consider the battery life in your decision.

Since you are wanting a dual use device to use as netbook and reader another option you might consider would be one like this which has the swivel screen that lays flat and becomes much like an ipad and would make it easier to hold as a tablet to read. Since it is a full netbook you can do anything on it. The price is more in line with the netbooks.
10.2" Touchscreen 180 Degree Rotating Monitor Laptop w/ WiFi, WebCam - SWIVEL-1200

My doctor has one like that it is a neat device and makes it easy to carry and hold to read on.

mudlady, I don't know how big your laptop is.....I bought an ASUS Netbook and loved it except the screen was just too small for me. It was 10.1". I was always shifting things around, enlarging/decreasing sizes, etc and it still was just not comfortablefor my 59 year old eyes. I sold it to a friend and bought a 15.6" ASUS and it's perfect for me. Not too heavy or bulky to tote around the house and to hotels, etc.

I bought a 14" HP laptop for the very reason that the 15.6" was heavier than I like. I am 79, and I knew a netbook was not what I wanted. I was concerned that the keyboard would be cramped, but it is just fine. I have been very happy with it and have my Kindle reader for PC on it. Easy to tote around, yet a real computer with large hard drive and lots of memory.

My use of a net book would be as a substitute for a cell phone with all the bells and whistles, except I won't pay for the service. I will look for WiFi areas. I would carry it in my purse everywhere I go so I will always have the ability to pick up mail, send mail, ask a question, and occasionally, search the net to find "urgent" information. I have found one that is 7 inches and goes for $99. Too good to be true? If it lasted a few years and did the above I would consider it such a bargain that I would sometime also allow my self to buy an e-reader.

Raven, I have some questions. The site you sent me to is Chinese and I feel uncertain about buying a brand I have never heard of. Of course, almost everything we buy, eat or medicate with comes all or in part from China. It is just that there are such frequent recalls of toxic substances that find their way into products from China. I won't eat a netbook, but I do want it to be of decent quality. Also, Google Android--is it a product or a service. Since you mention using it with a brand of netbook it sounds like a service. I am too cheap to pay for the ability to use it anywhere and everywhere, though I am certain I would like that. What do you think of this? http://www.eglobalwireless.com/p-4333-new-7-mini-netbook-laptop-notebook-wifi-windows-2gb-hd.aspx?gclid=CNm8hOKpjqECFQzxDAodxGuRPw Again, I would expect a netbook to act like a fancy phone and not a PC.

Thanks to all for responding.
Nancy

Google android is the operating system that is on it, instead of windows xp for example it runs the google android operating system so no it does not cost anything it comes loaded on it. The products on that site are all the same insides that you find in the name brand ones you buy all that stuff comes from those countries. It is all a chance these days.

that little unit is basically the same thing you would have if you got one of the cell phones that has internet on it or a palm or blackberry, it has the windows on it that is used on mobile phones, it has only a 2 gig hard drive storage, and worst of all it has the VIA processor which I have had and am not a fan of. For $99 I would not expect a lot so you would likely get what you pay for. It also is a non brand name one of the off brands probably one of the same ones like on the China grabber site. It would not have near the speed or processing power as a regular netbook. Just really depends on what you want and how much you want to put into it.

I have a HP netbook running XP and love it! It is so portable, works quickly, finds hotspots easily, and is almost perfect. I find the keyboard annoying, although the keys are almost full size. It is so handy, it sits in my kitchen and everyone uses it to look up something, check email, etc. It fits in my handbag and travels easily.

I bought my daughter a Dell netbook (couldn't find a HP with XP) and she loves it. Likes it better than her Blackberry as it is easier to read/write emails. The Dell cost the same, $299.00 but is slightly heavier and thicker.

Once you own one, you'll wonder how you managed without it,

Jane

If you're not in a hurry, I'd suggest waiting a little while. Google is rumored to be coming out with a tablet PC that will use the Atom and Android (early thoughts were Chrome, but it now looks like Android will win out).

I've got a laptop running XP and a netbook running Windows 7. The netbook was very inexpensive after rebates and a 2 year internet contract with Verizon (but I travel and need that anyway).

Given your comments, I think what you want is a netbook of some sort, but I think some of the new tablets will be somewhere in between an ipad and a netbook, so perhaps you'll find something that will meet your needs with one of the new devices.

OK, I'm back again asking advice. I can't wait too long for newer or better offers because I am going on a 2.5K mile vacation in early June. I'm 66 and I don't know how much longer I will be able to travel alone and put on as much as 500 miles a day. I have seen most of what is between Syracuse and Cape Hatteras but I still long to see the low country of S. Carolina and Ga. I have decided this trip is so important to me that I will spend the money and go now, before it is too late. So, I have spent hours looking for a netbook that I believe will satisfy my needs and not break the bank.
Toshiba Mini 300 Series NB305-N310 10.1-Inch Netbook in Black Onyx is available from Amazon, with free shipping, for $328.54. I often buy from Amazon and have never had a bad experience. They are goofy about one thing; when items come in several colors they price them differently. I want the blue but the black is the cheapest and I can live with that. I made this choice in part because it is at the best price I have found--considering it ships free--comes with XP, has a multi-touch touch pad, has 6 batteries and I have no complaints about my Toshiba laptop except that it is too big. Please point out anything I might not like about this model as well as any known problems it may have. It has been available since at least January and the price has dropped quite a bit since then. Some sites continue to charge almost $400 for it.

Thanks.
Nancy

I think it looks like an excellent choice and has very good reviews. has the same basics that most all the netbooks have in that it is an Intel atom processor has 1 gig ram and a 160 gig hard drive, has the 6 cell battery that should give around 10-11 hrs of life. It does come with the regular clutter added on but using a tool like the pc decrapifier should rid you of that stuff, would get rid of the Norton, wild tangent, the office trial junk, Revo uninstaller is good for that too. I put AVAST free on mine, malwarebytes free, spywareblaster free, Open Office free, got rid of Adobe reader and put on pdf exchange viewer free. Added Kindle for Pc so I could read my books free. And a firewall.
Since you already have a Toshiba you must already know that they do load a lot of proprietary Toshiba stuff on their products and if you are ok with that then I would say it is a good choice and looks like a decent price.

One thing I got when I bought mine was this thing that you can plug into your car cigarette lighter and it lets you plug in the actual 3 prong electric plug from the laptop into it so you can use it in the car and not use up the battery. The reason having the 3 prong is nice is that so many things have various sizes of the little bitty round plugs and with this kind any 3 prong plug will plug into it.
WAGAN TECH Smart AC 150 Watt Power Inverter that is the one I got but they now make one that I would have preferred it allows you to plug that type of plug in plus has an extra car plug built in and it also has slots to plug in a usb plug should you have any usb items that need charging or to use in the car.
Wagan EL2405 100-Watt Smart AC USB Inverter with DC Socket

It was definitely worth the money for me since my netbook has the 3 hr battery, plus I do have an att air card so I can use my netbook on the road and having that plug was very helpful.

I got mine from walmart.com for an excellent price, I see they do still have some good prices and some with xp on them, a few with better prices than the one you have shown and that very one is a tiny bit cheaper too. They do provide free shipping to store and you can pick it up. One of the reasons I did go with them was that they are so easy to return stuff to, you can take it back to any walmart store.
"netbook

Just be really careful to read the fine print from where ever you buy from that they do allow full return and not just an exchange because many sites with purchase of any pc only allow exchange not refund, I know newegg is that way, also a reason I went with walmart.

Thanks Raven, I will print your response so I'll know what I should do if I do get this one. I don't play any computer game other than Solitaire, and I love to waste time playing this one game. When I have someone longwinded on my phone, or I am put on hold I often sit at my PC and play. It's hard for me to spend money now that I am retired so I agonize over decisions like this. I think I am almost to the point where I will place an order and tell myself to stop wringing my hands. Then I can move on to planning my iterary and finding Motel 6s along the way.
Nancy

time to start the trip planning go on and just jump in and do it. Remember to make sure you have wifi free access where ever you stay or if they only offer wired ethernet remember to carry a cable with you! I have run in to that a few times at some places, free internet but not wireless, which is why I have a 25 ft cable that goes with me. Also some places like hotspots do not have free access but they let you pay like $3 or $5 for a few hours of access, and some will give you a code for free access if you buy something in their store, a lot of the starbucks are that way and some restaurants guess it helps prevent the freeloaders LOL

While the lowcountry has many charms, the upcountry of SC is beautiful and we chose to retire there. Lots of lakes, waterfalls, beautiful wildflowers, and foothills of the Blue Ridge.

Enjoy your trip, especially Charleston and Savannah!

Grandms, I know the beauty of the rest of SC because I have been there in both the spring and fall. I grew up on Long Island Sound, in CT but moved away in 1970. I want to see the lowcountry so I can get my salt water fix ;-)

Raven, stupid question- the ethernet cable---is that the one with a connection that looks like an oversized phone connection? I have scoped out the itinerary and find I can stay at Motel 6s (they have a policy of high speed internet available in all locations) for really good prices all along the way. When I make reservations I ask for the senior or best available discount. Also, if I stop at a place with free WiFi I will do my computer stuff there. I can travel really cheaply and I carry an ice box and make a lot of my meals. I also take a little microwave in the car in case I get a room without one.

Nancy

@ mudlady,

My Grand Parents Had a place (Miller Place) Long Island, on the other side of the Long Island Sound, on a clear day we could see you over there LOL! I still have the map of long Island on my wall...

Zep.

We just finished a trip down Route 66 and every motel had wireless internet. That is a standard nowadays. Some you have to ask for their access code and some do not have a code, just turn on the machine and go.

yes that is the ethernet cable it looks like a phone cable with a larger plug on the end that is what you will plug into your netbook and into the outlet they provide for the internet in places that do not provide wireless. More places now are doing wireless but many many of them only had the jack for you to plug into, just like you would plug into your router at home for your computer. The cables are not very costly, I found a 25ft pink one with rhinestones on the end covers on closeout at Frys and it went perfectly with my little pink netbook LOL. You should not need 25 ft they make them in various lengths. You may have some if you already have other computers. Here is an example at amazon
Ethernet Cable, CAT5e - 25 ft Blue they will usually be cat5 cable.
and that is an exceptionally good price on that one, I have a blue one just like that too.

You are doing the vacation camping style almost, I am all for saving what you can too. We used to love to take our travel van, which was set up for that with a convertible bed, fridge, sink with water, table and chairs, traveling all over when we were younger. We did the South Carolina area, had a friend that lived there and she took us in and we had a great time there. Also loved to travel the coast line of Florida. We would always plan to set up camp at Grayton Beach at the State Campground there, awesome site near Destin,Fl. You are making me very jealous! Wish I could get my husband to take some time off work and do some of those trips again. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Anyone considering a netbook should take a look at the various display models at your local store. Turn the netbook over and check the bottom for access panels. Most of the new systems have an Atom N450 pine trail processor that will support 2 GB of RAM, but models from some manufactures do not allow easy access to the memory chips. The Dell and HP netbooks IÂve seen lack access panels and increasing the memory would involve the removal of the keyboard  ouch!

Upgrading the memory to 2 GB will vastly improve performance. You can buy a 2 GB stick for about $45. Unfortunately, the current 1 GB module has to be removed to make way for the upgrade.

Also, look for a 6-cell battery. It will add a few dollars to the price and hours to the run time between charges.

Windows 7 starter is a little restrictive, but can be upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium for about $30. Home Premium works well if you upgrade the memory as well.

speaking of netbook batteries, mine came with the 3 cell and since I use it so much in my recliner reading with kindle for pc now I decided I wanted a larger battery for longer life. I started shopping around and found a great store on ebay, super fast and nice, I was able to get a 9cell battery that looks exactly like the one that came on it for under $35 and free shipping! I was amazed. It came in just a couple of days and works extremely well. It is much bigger than the original battery so it protrudes from the back of the netbook but it is advantageous in that it has a downward angle to it so it hikes up the rear of the netbook into a more user friendly position. I get over 10hrs of life from it. I was just looking for a 6 cell which they also had but when I saw the 9cell for that price I thought it was a no brainer.

this is where I got it from should any one be in need of a battery for their netbook. They even had mine in white so it matches exactly as the original one.
http://stores.ebay.com/pcpowertech-STORE

Here is a link that might be useful: pcpowertech