I am looking to buy another computer to use for school. Here is what I am thinking and I would greatly appreciate any insights into this. I will be using the computer for just standard MS-Office/OpenOffice tasks; nothing elaborate.

My thoughts are to try and use a Toshiba/Asus style netbook. I would attach, via USB, a keyboard, mouse, and a 15" LCD Monitor to it. The thought being I can reduce the carpal tunnel problems with the keyboard/mouse and save the neck pinched nerve problems on the neck I have. I will still have a tiny form factor for portability if and when necessary. Will the ATOM processor that these type computers come with be up to the task?

The other option is to spend $250-300 (minimum) more for a 15"-17" laptop and essentially do the same thing minus the external monitor.

I thank you all in advance for your help, insights, and opinions.

I'm currently typing on an EeePC 900HD, the slightly newer Intel model. But my older one (same model, now dead) had an Atom processor, and it did perfectly well with Open Office. For a while it was my only Windows box, and I used it for most of my Youtube and Netflix streaming.

Also, just beware its maximum video card resolution is ~1024x768 for a standard aspect ratio monitor, but I've had it connected to a 1080i TV, running as 720p with no problems whatsoever.

OK, some videos were a hair demanding on things (considering shared graphics processing and ram).

For a bit between more permanent places to live, I was using the TV setup (with wireless keyboard and mouse) for streaming videos, general web surfing, creating documents with Open Office, Skype, and even photo editing (a hobby).

Some things may take a minute to load, and I recommend upgrading your ram to max, but a netbook should do you fine.

I had a Toshiba Satellite lap top for two years. I sent it back to the company twice for warranty work. I won't by another.

Got a decent HP and it works fine.

Blake

I used to recommend Toshiba's for my entire extended family. Toshiba has apparently decided that an infinite turnaround for warranty work is acceptable, and that they would make it impossible to find out if you would ever receive the machine back, much less in a timely fashion. Furthermore it broke again the same way. We're not buying Toshiba any more.

Our ASUS laptops have served us well.

I'm using an HP laptop that's about 6 years old. It was a top dog at the time. I've had no problems. It still runs Internet video streams just fine. I'm anal about running a virus/spam program all the time. Also, I don't let anybody else use it, unless I'm right there hoovering. One issue is that 100 GB was a lot of hard disk space 6 years ago, but that's not much nowadays. However, I do have an external hard drive for overflow, backup, etc.

I'm thinking about upgrading my laptop, not because I must, but more because I don't want to wait until something goes wrong. My last 5 laptops were HP, no issues. I'm fine operating with no desktop computer, no external monitor and no external mouse. I like to keep it simple.

If you're like me, you'll get the most high-tech laptop beast you can afford. I don't like replacing my computer every 1 and a half years. I'm fine with not having the latest and greatest 3 years after I purchase.

Another option I'm think about is buying (1) a monster desktop and (2) an iPad or similar for travel. I saw a 55" monitor that made me drool, and I think I need to have it.

I have a couple of netbooks kicking around, both upgraded to 2GB (the max they can use). The upgrade is absolutely mandatory IMO, so figure that into the actual price. They serve a niche purpose for me as uber-portables that have great battery life and are more-or-less disposable. But while they can run office apps at a passable speed, they are no substitute for the horsepower of a real notebook. I can't imagine trying to earn a living with one except as an interim/emergency machine.

I have noticed that plugging them into an external monitor speeds up their operation somewhat. I imagine updating the built-in display takes a fair bit of internal processing power. Also, disabling the wireless when you're not actually using it saves a lot of battery and increases their performance generally. Wireless connections also suck a lot of processing power.

My policy has been to upgrade when base-level business laptops are being cleared out for $600-700. These seem to stand up much better (even if they're demo models) than the biodegradable consumer cheapies with all the bling. My current machine is an HP -- far from perfect but I tolerate its quirks because I like the keyboard. Given what I'm seeing these days, my next laptop will be an entry-level business Asus or Lenovo.

My 2c.

EDIT: Don't pay too much for a netbook. The last one I picked up (Acer with Win7 starter) was being cleared out at Staples for $147. The memory upgrade (not from Staples) was $30. I bought it to test my current software suite in a Win7 environment, but it's a perfect disposable travelling box as well.

I have used/repaired hundreds of laptop computers. They are all fragile, except for the fully ruggedized-class mil-spec computers.

I wouldn't spend my money on anything but Panasonic ToughBooks.

Personally, I use two tricked out CF-29's.

This is the first laptop computer that I actually like, maybe even love. It really can go anywhere with you and be relied on upon to work when you get there, even if you attach it to a chain and drag it behind your 4-wheeler while you drive fast through the mud and puddles to get there. (see the youtube video)

I'm not the least bit worried about breaking them. If I do, there are parts available on eBay from multiple vendors, and incredible documentation to replace any part yourself. It's a mil-spec computer.

GPS,Touchscreen, swappable hard drives with multi-boot Win7,XP,Server2003,Ubuntu,Vista, built mobile radio, room for sat-com hardware, digital TV receiver, fully ruggedized/waterproof metal housing, back-lit keyboard, Thermostatically controlled hard drive heaters for low temperature operation. Matte-screen finish which is great for low and bright light situations, two batteries for super long mobile use, Built-in handle, etc, etc.

I bought the base units off eBay for under $400 each. It costs some $ to finish them, but to me it's worth it to me.

My next laptop computers will newer Panasonic ToughBooks, but it might be a while.

The usual disclaimer about no affiliation or interest, etc.

Running those applications takes minimal CPU and GPU power. I do suggest and advocate going for the best screen and keyboard you can get as these are the primary interfaces with the operator and define the user experience.

Greatly increasing the power of the CPU and GPU can make things snappier and smoother but you don't feel the difference like improving the monitor and keyboard. The only hardware improvement that comes close is increasing the available RAM. Ram is so cheap now there is no reason not to pack it in. Limited only by the OS, MB and your wallet.

For me a 19" screen and AT 'clicky' keyboard are ante to get in the game. I can work with less but won't be happy doing it. I plan on upgrading my unit soon and have a sweet old-school keyboard and 24" monitor picked out.

Art,

I really like the AT keyboards, but they are like hen's teeth. Those old ones weighed about 10 pounds and had outstanding action. However, I am going to use the Logitech split keyboard I already have. The same is true for the 15" monitor I have.

If you plan on using it a good bit as a portable, I'd go the laptop direction but in the next size down 13"-15". When I was carrying one daily a couple of years ago, weight & battery life were higher priority than display resolution/size.

I was running 1-2Ghz single processor w/ max memory & it was doing everything I needed while getting my civil engineering degree. It was 13x9.5 (HP 1000 series). The screen was large enough to not need an external monitor but small enough that it weighed about 5#. IIRC battery life was 3-4 hours or more with the extended battery.

I have an Asus netbook with Windows 7 and Open Office, I added another gig of RAM from the 1GB it came with and it runs about anything I do. I mainly use it for travel, personal use for the Internet and email. I also load photos and look at them and often have to open attachments such as Word docs. All work pretty well. It is not a powerful computer, that is evident. 2 GB is all the memory that the Atom processor will address, so that is a limiting factor and the Windows 7 is a bit of a hog. My GF has the exact same model with Windows XP and it only has 1 GB of RAM and runs a little better than mine. The Windows 7 is what they call "Starter Edition", it has a few less features than a full version.
I will also say that you almost will need an external DVD or CD drive. I hook a standard DVD drive to mine via a special USB to SATA cable when I need to upload software and that works but is not too portable. Also, as others have mentioned, the video card is limited in it's ability to support real high resolution and larger aspect ratios.
I hope that helps

Same here, wife and I have been running a pair of ASUS netbooks as primary machines for about two years now. Upgraded ram to 2G and drives to 500G. Mine replaced the laptop I bought in 2002, 12" Dell Latitude C400 which is still in use and running fine.
I couldn;t find the Linux model an cheaper than the windows model so I had to buy the windows model then install my preferred distro myself. I run the normal openoffice, firefox, thunderbird, digikam, etc.
wife dropped hers and busted the display and I found one on ebay for ~$30 and swapped it.

Not sure about others, I don't buy a laptop for traveling away from home, even though I do use that capability. I buy a laptop so that I can move to other rooms in my house easily. Sometimes, I like to go out to the porch for an hour of so, or to watch my baby in the next room. The extra money for a laptop (over a desktop) is worth it to me.

This going to be a set up primarily a fixed workstation so that I can reduce some of the nerve problems while allowing for infrequent mobility requirements. I may have to wait for my son while he is in his classes, so I could knock out a little work in the dead time.