Netbook Buyers Guide

The netbook form factor offers consumers a low-cost ultraportable notebook in a market segment where notebooks used to cost $1,500 and up. With most netbooks costing less than $400, they are cheap enough to buy one in addition to your full-size notebook. With the vast majority offering Intel Atom processors, these portable computers can handle most daily tasks with ease. In this buying guide we compare the different models we have reviewed to help you find the best netbook to fit your needs.

Buying the Perfect Netbook

Currently the netbook standard is one of the easiest computers for consumers to purchase, with most models on the market offering the same Intel Atom processor and Intel integrated graphics. The only thing that really separates netbook models is the type of storage medium they use, the screen size, and the size of the battery.

If you plan on storing movies and music on the netbook, a higher capacity hard drive model would be a better choice, instead of the much smaller SSD. In some cases it can be the difference of 8GB of storage compared to 120GB. The next area is screen size, with models coming in either the 8.9” size or 10”, but sharing the same resolution. If you enjoy having a larger screen to work with, the 10” models can be easier to read, and you usually have the benefit of a larger keyboard. A new Dell Mini 12 goes even further with a 12” screen and full WXGA resolution, but that is an exception to the netbook market. The last hardware difference comes down to the capacity of the battery of the netbook, with 3-cell, 4–cell, and 6-cell battery sizes offered.

Couch or Classroom Friendly?

Battery size can play a key role in how you intend to use the netbook, with some models spanning a couple of hours, and others working for up to 6 hours. The difference comes with the size of the battery that comes with the netbook. Some models like the MSI Wind or Acer Aspire One come with 3-cell and 6-cell battery configurations, which can mean the different of 2-3 hours or 5-6 hours of battery life. If you just intend to use the netbook on your couch or around the house where external power is not an issue, battery size probably isn’t a big deal. If you intend to use the netbook in the classroom or while traveling, it is highly suggested that you find the biggest battery possible.

SSD or Hard Drive?

Besides the huge storage capacity difference between the SSD and hard drive models, there are a few added perks of each. Most of the hard drive models on the market use a standard 2.5” SATA consumer drive that can be easily upgraded or replaced down the road. The SSD models might be limited by capacity or lack an easy upgrade, but they offer shock protection and better battery life. If you find yourself being rough with portable electronics, it might be wise choosing a model with a flash memory SSD. If you are looking to get increased battery life some SSD models have an edge over HD models as well.

The Market Competition

Below is a listing of the various netbooks you'll likely find in stores and online direct from the manufacturers. This isn't a complete listing of every single netbook offered worldwide, but it does provide a comprehensive overview of some of the more popular models.

ASUS N10

The ASUS N10 is a “corporate” netbook which offers highend features that you don’t find in consumer netbooks models. Offering HDMI out with dedicated NVIDIA 9300M graphics, a fingerprint reader, and an ExpressCard/34 slot the N10 includes what business professionals might want in a portable device. With prices as low as $649 for models including the dedicated graphics, it is priced well under business class ultraportable notebooks such as the Sony TZ or TT. If you don’t need those special features listed above, consumer netbooks like the ASUS Eee PC 1000HA can be had for about $300 less.

ASUS Eee PC 1000

The 10” Eee PC 1000 comes in both SSD and HD flavors; giving consumers the choice of large storage capacity or something more rugged for a netbook that might be tossed around. The keyboard is 91% full-size for cramp-free typing and most configurations offer a large 6-cell battery. Priced slightly above other competing models you do pay a premium for one of these, which most say is worth it considered the larger stock battery. Prices start as low as $399 for a Intel Celeron equipped model, or $349 for the base Intel Atom 1000HA. The 1000HE offers the newer N280 Intel Atom processor, greatly improved battery, and newer keyboard layout for only $374.

ASUS Eee PC 900 and Eee PC 901

The smaller 9” Eee PC 900 and 901 give consumers a smaller netbook option that also happens to get slightly better battery life than its bigger 10” brother. While the 900 series does include both SSD and HD versions, the SSD model is much more popular. With both Linux and Windows XP Home models up for grabs you can find one model that best suits your needs depending on its purpose. The only compromise you make with this model depending on version is the capacity of the flash storage; where the XP model includes a 12GB drive and the Linux model has 20GB one. The SSD equipped 901 models all cost $379, whereas the older 900 series sells for as little as $285 on sale.

Acer Aspire One

Rocking the number two spot on our “Most Popular Notebooks” list at the time of this guide, the Acer Aspire One is clearly one of the more sought after models on the market right now. With one of the lowest starting prices of $299 budget SSD model or $329 for the top tier HD model it can fit in anyone’s budget in a time where everyone is pinching pennies. Offered in a wide range of color options, the 9” Acer Aspire One is a NBR reader favorite.

Dell Mini 9

The 9” Dell Mini recently hit the market at a very low starting price of $249. With an almost fullsize keyboard section that removes function keys to free up space, the keyboard is very comfortable to type on. This netbook is sold with only SSD modules, using either Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux, in sizes spanning from 4 to 16GB. Currently Dell only offers a 4-cell battery for the Mini 9, which limits you to around 3-4 hours of battery life, less than others on the market.

Dell Mini 12

The new Dell Mini 12 is the first netbook to offer a higher resolution 1280x800 WXGA screen and a full-size keyboard. With a super thin design that could compete with the Apple MacBook air, this Dell netbook is pushing closer to the ultraportable notebook market segment. With 3 and 6-cell battery options, optional cellular broadband and the newer low voltage Intel Atom processors, this is one of the ultimate low-cost road warrior machines. Prices start at $399 and move upwards of $600 depending on configuration.

HP Mini 1000

The HP Mini 1000 is the newest Intel Atom based netbook to the HP lineup, replacing the slower VIA equipped 2133 Mini-Note offered last year. This model is fully customizable, including the screen size and storage medium. The Mini 1000 uses the same keyboard from the Mini-Note, which we found to be the best keyboard on any netbook we have tested to date. Prices start at $299 for the 9” model or $399 for the 10” version, and move up depending on configuration.

Lenovo IdeaPad S10

The 10” IdeaPad offered in black, red, and white offers one feature not usually found on netbooks. The S10 has an ExpressCard slot on the side for an external WWAN card, to stay connected on the road. It is not surprising to see business related features on this netbook, considering it comes from the company that builds the ThinkPad. Prices start at $349 and currently only a 3-cell battery option is offered.

MSI Wind U100

This sleek netbook offers a handful of color and design options and easy to type on keyboard. While historically high in price, especially on the 6-cell version, prices have started to come down. Recently MSI announced a price cut, bringing the base configuration down to $319. Going rate for a model that includes a 6-cell battery is $399, and hard to find outside of online retailers. The Wind was one of our coolest running netbooks, so if you are sensitive to heat, look no further.

Sony VAIO P

This "Lifestyle PC" (the netbook Sony doesn't want you to call a netbook) is a super high-end model aimed at professionals who want more from your average netbook. The Sony VAIO P has a high resolution 1600 x 768 glossy display, integrated 3G broadband with GPS, Windows Vista, and optional SSD. The size and weight is well under the average for netbooks, just .78” thick and 1.3lbs with the 4-cell battery. Don’t expect to find any amazing deals, as this “not-a-netbook” starts at $899 and goes as high as $1,499 for the 128GB SSD version.

ASUS Eee PC 701

The ASUS Eee PC 701 was the first to the netbook game, but now outdated against the competition. With only a 7” display, Intel Celeron processor, and small flash storage it seems more like a toy these days than a netbook. While you can find larger screens, faster processors, and more storage space on newer models, the 701 might attract some with its super low price. Nearing the $200 mark at some stores as they clear out old inventory it is still a competent portable notebook that can easily run Windows XP. If you don’t need all the features of one of the newer netbooks, this model might be for you.

Other Netbooks

With the low cost to enter the netbook manufacturing market you will find many additional netbook models that were not listed in this guide. Some share the same OEM, making some netbooks identical “clones” of another model. Many of these offer the same great build quality and features that netbooks in our guide have, just under a different brand name. Some of the netbooks that are not in our guide include the Samsung NC10, Sylvania g, Everex Cloudbook, and Medion Akoya Mini.

 

Very nice guide

 

Ditto...great information! With a new netbook being introduced every few days, it's difficult for even tech-aware folks to take it all in. Having the information and comparisons in one spot makes it easier.

Is there any reason the HP Mini 2140 wasn't mentioned? I know it's sold by HP's Business division, but it's a very impressive netbook. The aluminum exterior and available 1366x768 high-resolution display (due mid-March) belie the $449 starting price.

 

This is a great guide, Andew!
It will surely be helpful for those looking at the various Netbook brands/models...


Cin

 

i was looking into buying a new netbook and then notebookreview posts this buyers guide. it's like you read my mind! I did not know that Dell and Hp offering both don't offer standard capacity harddrives, which is sad. I thought the HP mini was quite sexy. Regardless, I want to wait until dual core or Nvidia's ions come out before making a decision. The higher end netbooks are still too expensive for my blood.

 

I note that the Samsung NC10 just scrapes a mention in the last line in a way that suggests that it a rebadged OEM product.

This doesn't give justice to what many consider is one of the best netbooks to be released in 2008 and which walked away with the NBR Netbook Users Choice Award. It is also a Samsung design with many family similarities to the Samsung notebooks.

And, for those who are looking for something slightly bigger, the 12.1" NC20 is about to reach the shelves.

John

 

Nice guide but you might wanna not refer to the Dell Mini 12 as "new". Rumor has it that Dell may have discontinued it's production.

 

wow...i like the mini 12 i thought it was nice....

Anyway the Dell Mini 10 will soon have to be in that list.

 

Isn't that a rumor about the I12?? For me, until it comes direct in a *release* of sorts from Dell, I will continue to see it as a current netbook of Dell's.

And, once the Mini 10 is *factually* released, I would sure hope they would add it to the list.

Cin.

 

I'm glad you included the MSI Wind here.
I bought mine as soon as the first versions came out back August, and I've loved it ever since.
I think it is often a very nice option consumers look over... >.<'

 

It is still at rumor status but I could see why Dell would stop making new units. The Dell Mini 12 is in need of some design changes...specifically the use of a standard type HDD and the addition of an extra RAM slot now that the US15W can support up to 2Gbs.

Or even better maybe Dell scrapped the current Mini 12 now to bring it back at a later date with a CPU specifically designed for the ultra-slim notebook category such as the AMD Neo or the future Intel CULV processor.

 

Absolutely, I agree!

It's an egregious omission for what, many consider to be, the finest netbook in its class.

 

NC 20 Vs Hp Dv2, which one prefer? dv2 looks fascinated!!!

 

Nice overview. However, it might have been a good idea to add a section on future trends. There seem to be a number of changes coming that buyers should be aware of. For instance, ASUS is set to introduce a convertable touch-screen model, there is a new chipset/gpu on the way from nvidia and there are entirely new platforms coming AMD (NEO) and VIA (NANO) and ARM. Netbooks also seem to be getting bigger. The first wave had 7 inch screens, and the norm now is 8.9. But if ACER is a good barometer, 10.1 may be the new norm and 8.9 will go the way of the 7 inch. (see: http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/best-netbooks-of-ces2009.aspx)
The bottom line is that consumers may want to wait a few months for the new models to appear or for the current models to be discounted in price.

 

I was going to buy a Dell Mini12 until I heard about the HDD and RAM. There never seems to be a netbook that does everything right.

Now I'm thinking about the ASUS 1000HE...

 

While I'm not discounting the idea of a section on future trends, I don't think putting AMD's foray into inexpensive computing with the Via and Atom is quite the right thing to do. It uses more power and is quite simply physically bigger than the other chips/chipsets. Combined with AMD's distaste of netbooks (although I sort of feel this is a bit like the fox and the sour grapes) and the larger form factor, and you have something else. The Neo platform is set to bridge the small gap between netbooks and more traditional notebooks.

 

Yes but they say the NEO platform offers a 50% to 150% performance increase over a ATOM, I would be willing to give up a little battery life for some extra power and the HP dv2 is looking really good with the ATI 3410 can't wait for some really indepth performance reviews, to see were this netbook/ultraportable stands.

 

I think the perfect netbook would have: *this is purely a wish list*

- 10.2" High resolution (1200x800?) or 12.1 w/ a DVD Drive. We know you can fit it, why would you want a 12.1 netbook and not have that option for a few more bucks on the manufacturers?
- User upgradeable RAM and Hard drive
- Dual Core Atom or Nvidia Ion (not released), but enough graphical power to output high definition videos with HDMI
- at least 2 USB with another eSATA. Windows XP

10.1 under $400 12.1 less than $600.

But of course, knowing how companies handle themselves, dream machines never get released.

 

I second this, a netbook guide is not complete without all the leading choices. The NC10 is one of the leaders of the pack, the post gives the impression it is an aftermarket netbook which is 180 degrees. Doesn't make any sense.

 

The Dell Mini 12 is really an oddball. Dell threw it into the ring with both hands tied behind its back, in my opinion.

Initially, the only Windows operating system available was Vista Home Basic. The standard processor is the 1.33GHz Atom Z520, making it among the slowest netbook processors. It has 1GB of RAM integrated into the motherboard and that's it- no upgrade path. To slow things down even more, rather than SSDs or standard 5400rpm hard drives, only pokey 4200rpm hard drives are available!

On the other hand, the 12.1 WXGA (1280x800) display is fantastic. The overall look is very upscale and could pass for a premium ultra-portable with a pricetag $1k higher that its own! They keyboard is comfy to use.

Dell corrected the Vista mistake and switched to XP Home as the default Windows OS. While there is an optional 1.6GHz Atom Z530, not all buyers will pay the $50 upgrade...and performance is still questionable with the faster processor. There is a 1.86GHz Z540 (only being used by Panasonic in an ultra-mobile healthcare-oriented Toughbook). The additional speed and 2GB of RAM might transform it into a strong performer?

I'm still unclear about the performance differences between the 1.6GHz Atom N270 (Diamondville) and 1.6GHz Atom Z530 (Silverthorne). Does the Intel GMA 500 used with the Z-series processors perform better or worse than the Intel GMA 950 paired with the N270?

The only other sub-notebook using the Silverthorne processors, so far, is the Sony VAIO P-series. It is only available with the 1.33GHz Z520 and Vista Basic is standard, Vista Home Premium optional!?!? It has 2GB of RAM, but most reviews I've seen have stated that it stuttered and skipped routintely in Vista. Way to go Sony!

 

I'd like all of that except for the DVD drive. The perfect netbook for me would be the 1000HE but based on the Ion platform so that it can handle 4gb DDR3 and a 64bit OS, and has SATAII, eSATA and 1080p playback. I hope I'll be seeing something like that by year's end.

 

3DMark06 for Sony VAIO P (GMA 500): 88 3DMarks
3DMark06 for HP Mini 2140 (GMA 950): 118 3DMarks
3DMark06 for ASUS Eee PC 1000HA (Intel GMA 950): 95 3DMarks

Synthetic benchmarks suggest performance is darn close ... but just a little lower than what you'd expect from netbooks with the GMA 950.

In real world use, I didn't really notice the VAIO P having worse video performance. On the other hand, the 1.33GHz processor felt less "snappy" than the 1.6GHz processor in other netbooks ... but that likely had more to do with Vista.

Let's just hope Windows 7 gets here fast so netbooks can have a modern OS.

 

Install Linux, done.

 

I love Linux, but let's face it ... until it's as easy as "point and click" to install applications in Linux (instead of having to open a console and deal with apt-get) most average consumers won't be happy with Linux.

The current distributions of Linux are great if you have some decent computer skills and knowledge of Linux (or a willingness to learn Linux) but it's isn't as polished and simplified as Windows or Mac OS X.

Several laptop manufacturers have come out with cool interfaces that sit on top of Linux (usually on top of Ubuntu or a similar distro) but none of them have resolved some of the core usability issues (like point-and-click installation of new applications) that keep average Joe users from enjoying Linux.

Many of the Linux-equipped netbooks and notebooks that are sold in the US end up getting returned because of all the people out there who think Linux is too difficult to use and who aren't willing to learn it.

This YouTube video is a perfect example of why Linux isn't going to work for many consumers (because many consumers are either idiots or they don't want to spend time learning a new OS):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dQiXHf0CEE

 

Bummer ...

 

The biggest difference is cost. The Z530 costs twice as much as the N270 and that's why you dont see the Z500 in more netbooks.

The reason it costs more is that the GMA 500 is licensed from Imagination Technologies and is part of a single-chip chipset that has better HiDef support.

 

A good condensed buyers guide, however I found some "errors":

1. The Lenovo s10 and s10e is now available with a 6-cell battery

2. I would mention that a netbook with a SSD might be quite slower than a HDD equipped one

3. Some netbooks are either hard or impossible to upgrade ( Acer one, Dell mini, MSI wind for instance) I would have put in a mention about it, or make a special note one the ones that are easy to upgrade. A 2 gb RAM upgrade will make a huge difference in performance

Some one remarked about that there's a bunch of new versions coming to market in the next few months. I don't think it's such a good idea to advice newcomers to wait as there will always be a new model around the corner... gotta keep the economic wheel turning ya' know... The fact is that the current Atom platform will stay current for at least another 12 months.

These small remarks aside, good work!

 

...and the fact that the Z530 is impossible to RAM upgrade as it's hardware constrained to a maximum of 1 gb...

 

It was constrained to 1GB RAM. It's not anymore.

 

oh, really - I must have missed that... sorry

 

Another comment of dismay at the lack of NC10. Best battery life out there, best keyboard, and best warranty (3 years in the US). It's expensive now thanks to a lack of price drops, but until the 1000HE comes out it's still top dog.

 

I'd also like to suggest keyboard as a main difference, because some keyboards I've come across are just too small (Aspire One), while some (HP Mini) are excellent. I'm also intrigued about the chicklet 1000HE.

And I'd agree with the other people who said that the nc10 should be added to this list as a main netbook.

 

Your point is well taken, the new AMD platform will lead to larger machines. However, the HP DV2 does not look like it will that much bigger than the 12.1 netbooks (Dell Mini 12 and Samsung NC20) or that much more expensive than high end products like the ASUS N10 or Sony Viao P. Consumers attracted to netbooks will want to know these products are on the horizon.
The netbook market is still defining itself. Right now I have an acer, but if I was on the market for a netbook, I would wait for a few months until the options become a little clearer.

 

Awesome Guide Rep for you!

 

In addition to the above posts regarding the virtues of the NC10, another is its aesthetic form factor: gracefully fitting in a 6 cell battery into a small package, something other manufacturers have failed at doing.

NC10 is the best netbook on the market, period, and it surprises me to not see it on the list. I guess you have to be "in the know," which this reviewer is not.

 

Samsung NC10 rules 2008 netbook war. This buying guide isn't complete without the mention of Samsung NC10. Btw, its cost has dropped to $445 and 2 friends of mine already got theirs.

The Samsung NC10 is the first and only one that set the netbook standard right. No small/unusable shift key, no small keyboard, long battery life, elegent design. Or better yet, refer to this article: http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/10-inch-netbook-faceoff.aspx

 

Applications->Add/Remove. There you can search for whatever software you want and install it with one click. No wizards or anything to install it. In fact, it's simpler than both Windows and Mac OS X, since there you have to surf the web, find the correct setup file, download it, browse through a wizard (on Windows at least) and (possibly) reboot before the software is usable.

I can agree that Mac OS X is the most polished OS out there (but at a price...), but we'll have to wait until the stable release of Windows 7 to have some competition from Microsoft. XP is great, but old, and most computers will come with Vista. Ubuntu is second, only to OS X.

That video is appaling. First of all, the fact that networking didn't work can only be blamed on Dell for not shipping it with the proper drivers. It would have been the same on Windows. Secondly, the fact that Microsoft Word isn't there is because Microsoft hasn't release a Linux version of it (although there is Wine, but it is not really an "Average Joe" application). Thirdly, OpenOffice is compatible with all the .doc(x), .ppt(x), etc. documents that are created in Word. And lastly, I'm amazed that she managed to order an Ubuntu laptop by mistake (assuming it's not a screw-up by Dell). It's not like they're heavily promoted on the site - you basically have to go to http://dell.com/ubuntu to find them.

 

I'll second that just based on the fact that I've been looking at the 6 cell for my Mini 1000 and it's hideous looking, completely ruins the asthetics of an otherwise elegant machine. This seems to be the case with many netbooks, but especially the HP Mini.

 

@Mach, the Dell mini 12 is another example.

 

The integration of a high-capacity battery into the new Asus 1000HE is quite impressive as well. 8700mAH? Without an unsightly bulge? Sweeeeeeeet.

 

I'd like to point out that the Lenovo s10 is available with a 6-cell battery ( I'm writing on one right now). Of all the different battery designs I think the Lenovo is the most pleasing to the eye...

 

It's still got that unsightly bulge, though, just like about every other netbook no matter how well they try to integrate it into the design. And the big problem with that is they should be thinking about the these kinds of things during the design stage instead of after the fact.

@hurrikaane: That one doesn't really count as far as I'm concerned, because a) in my mind a computer stops qualifying for the term "netbook" once it goes beyond the under 11" size range which leads me to b) the fact that it's probably a bit easier to integrate six cells into the larger design of a 12" netbook, so at least to me, at that size and form factor it's technically academic.

But that's just my quirky opinion.

 

That bulge is a great handle if you ask me It also tilts the keyboard to a slightly more comfortable angle for typing.

A positive feature for some and a negative for others

In the end, try before you buy is more true than ever...

 

From a practical standpoint, especially cooling, that's true. And as you stated, different strokes for different folks. It's all subjective, I suppose.

 

Go Go acer aspire one! Was skeptical at first but now Im in love with this little lappy. My 6 cell version allows me to code for hours on the go without a recharge!

 

What's your coding environment linquidxit2? Coding is one of the things I want to use a netbook for but I'm not so sure about the 1024x600 screen. Do you encounter any problems?

 

Coding isn't bad on 1024X600 IMO...

 

I'll second that! The Samsung NC10 is probably the best 10" netbook, with 8 hours of battery and other features. It's amazing it wasn't listed with a blurb.

A happy NC10 owner,

Tiesenhausen

 

No problems whatsoever. I can code, surf the web, stream music, an RDP open, and have several file explorers open at the same time and no slow downs. Awesome little laptop you can use literally anywhere. 5+ hours with wifi and light multitasking, and well over 6 hours with wifi off (infact I did a whole day at work on only battery using LAN). Plus it boots and hibernates faster then any rig Ive owned for those inspirational times when you need to jot something down.

Agreed, manipulating the VS2008 environment makes it quite pleasurable for coding on the go.

 

I've been trying to hold out for the higher resolution in the hp 2140 or the new dell mini 10 but it's seeming like that will probably bump the price of the machine up.

I might end up buying the 1000HE for this purpose. It would be a real benefit to be able to do some coding anywhere.