So, I've been doing some research trying to figure out what the best netbook in my price range is. I also want to know what distro's work the best. I will continue searching on the subject, but I thought that asking here might be more helpful.

Here's what I want to do on my netbook:

• Surf the net, including some flash video.
• Read ebooks, mainly pdfs.
• Some writing, which I'm sure any distro/netbook can handle.
• Some programming, mainly web development, but potentially Java and C++ as well.
• Listen to music, my collection is in both flac and mp3s. So I'd probably just transfer it in mp3.

My netbook must have:

• More than 3 hours of battery life.
• 10+ inch screen, which is most of them, I believe.

I'd like it to have bluetooth.

It needs to handle multitasking. At least the ability to run several browser tabs, music, pdf reader, and a text editor at the same time, with out much slow down.

Price range: $350 and under.

So, what should I get?

Most netbooks have pretty much the same hardware specs these days (Atom processor, 1gb ram, and 160gb hard drive seems to be the most common configuration) so my recommendation is, go down to the store and try a whole bunch of them. Go with whatever seems the most ergonomic for your needs: comfortable keyboard, easy-to-read screen, portable, long battery life, etc. Ergonomics are way more important than performance for my netbook needs.

All of the major Linux distros have good netbook support these days, so just go with whatever you're familiar with. (I see Ubuntu in your profile; that's an excellent choice for netbooks).

In my personal experience Ubuntu has the best notebook support among other flavours, whilst maintaining an easy way in for many linux newbies. The Ubuntu community is very helpful as well, if you don't understand something, Google is your friend! Type in what ever question you have PLUS the keyword "UBUNTU", need I teach you what to do next?

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I have been using Google. But it doesn't know everything. Plus, sorting through thousands of results takes time that I should be using for homework. Hence, a forum post to get people who already know the stuff I need to, without searching, to help me out.

I was hoping some people who have netbooks would tell me which ones they have and what their experiences have been like. I heard that some brands are not as good as others, but I haven't found much about which ones.

I have an Asus 1005HA and love it! I have the version with the bluetooth. Only gripe is it is a fingerprint magnet.

I upgraded the ram to 2 gigs to improve on multi-tasking.

I have tried many linux versions on it, to be honest nothing can touch the default windows install for battery life so I leave that on there. Longest battery life to date is 10 hrs 5 mins . Has a very good battery life for sure.

Thanks for your reply.

Is that with a 6 or 9 cell battery?

Dell sells their mini with Linux installed.

Also, Distrowatch always seems to have ads for netbooks with Linux.

If you buy one with Windows pre-installed, be sure ask for a refund for the (unused) Windows. (Nothing to lose....)

Exact model here.

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What the...

He posted the same here, too: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...9/#post3949153

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