Remember when notebooks, or laptops, were the new age in computers? The lightweight, portable computer that you could take virtually anywhere? The notebook hasn't been supplanted by the netbook, but the newer, slimmer, and even more portable computer is giving it a run for its money. While there are limits to its functioning that the laptop doesn't have, the netbook has the advantage of using less power, having basic and popular features, and most attractively, lower prices. While definitely less expensive, buying a netbook is still a relatively large expense, and because you will be using it for work, school, or entertainment, you need to know what it can offer you, if it can meet your needs, and if it really will replace that portable notebook. And you'll need to know which brand and model to select; there's certainly no shortage from which to choose. We'll show you some of the best netbooks on the market so you can make the best decision.
Netbooks have exploded onto the market, becoming the main draw at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and flying off the shelves as consumers saw the advantage in a pared-down, lighter, more compact computer. It is true that netbooks do not have all the same functions as laptops or desktop computer, but here's a look at what you can do:
*Browse the internet. They have built-in Wi-Fi, and some have added Bluetooth as well.
*Work on documents, spreadsheets, etc.
*Import photos from digital cameras
*Stream audio and SD video
*Email, chat, and IM
*Blog or go to social networking sites
Here is what you generally can NOT do:
*Create and/or edit videos
*Play higher-end video games (you're probably fine with good old Solitaire, but for anything graphic or action-heavy, a netbook is not well-suited)
*Watch HD movies
*Run complex software
*Encode music
*Multitask
*Use DVDs or CDs
We scoured the Internet for netbook reviews and found some compelling articles which state how wonderful these computer devices are. On the other hand, our trusted source of Consumer Reports doesn't rate these netbook computers that well. Most scored well for portability from CR, but almost all lacked in ergonomics, versatility, speakers, display, and performance. A good rating from CR is not that exceptional and only the best products get "very good" and "excellent" ratings. We also found several write-ups online saying that the Consumer Reports article missed the mark on the netbooks, and I must agree with those writers. If you look at reviews posted online at a Website like Amazon.com, almost all netbook models get 4+ stars out of a possible 5 in consumers opinions. These are people that are using them daily for various things and so I trust their usage report more than that of CR which just tested them. You can browse the best selling netbook computers on Amazon.com here.
Best Netbooks:
Netbooks are ideal for students, travelers, and business people. Since the netbook revolution, there have been scores of different models produced. How do you know which is right for you? You'll want to consider features, battery life, and price. Prices tend to be within $300 - $500, and you don't want to spend much more than that. If you're getting into higher-end netbook prices, it may behoove you to check out a smaller laptop instead so you have the increased functioning for the money. Let's take a look at some of the best netbooks on the market to help you decide.
The Acer Aspire One D250 - Acer has always been known to provide solid budget computers, and they've entered the netbook sector strongly with the Aspire One D250. This was named as one of the best netbooks of 2010 by TopTenReviews and gets a TestFreak (testing and reviewing site for electronics and gadgets) score of 9.2/10. This tiny little Aspire has a 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom Processor, 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM single channel memory, 250GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi, 3 USB ports, 6-cell lithium battery, 10.1-inch CrystalBrite LED display, integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, Windows 7 Starter OS, CrystalEye webcam with built-in mic, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, and up to 9 hours of battery life. This is an astonishingly loaded little computer, and you can also upgrade your Windows 7 Starter for Windows 7 Home Premium. TopTenReviews says that while this is one of the least expensive netbooks, it was one of their favorites and offered a great computing experience. You can find the Aspire One D250 for around $300-$330 at Amazon.
The Samsung Go N310 Netbook - Samsung is a familiar name in the electronics field, and their Go N310 netbook was named by PC World and TopTenReviews as one of the top 10 netbooks of the year. TopTenReviews said the Go had a very well-thought-out design and provided a good typing and navigating experience for users. The Go has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB DD2R RAM, 160GB hard drive, XP Home, 9 hours of battery, 6-cell battery, 10.1-inch LCD display backlit with LED, 1.3mp webcam, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, stereo speakers, and rectangular isolation keypad. One drawback to the Go that critics have noted is the price. They call it somewhat overpriced for what it is - it's still great, but it should be great and $50 to $100 cheaper. The Go now goes for $470.
The Toshiba Mini NB 205 - Toshiba has been making a name for itself with their laptops, particularly the Satellite, and stepping into the netbook market as well. The Mini NB205 was named by TopTenReviews and PC World as one of the best of the year. CNET notes its distinctive and "sophisticated" design. The Mini NB250 has a 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom processor, 1 GB memory, 160GB hard drive, integrated Wi-Fi, 10.1-inch backlit display with LED, WSVGA 1024x600 native resolution, Windows 7 Starter OS, upgradeable to Windows 7 Home Premium, 9 hours of battery life, webcam, and 3 USB ports. It is a nicely stocked netbook, though critics have noted it has a somewhat bulky battery and poor audio. If you're not going to be using this as a listening device, it should be fine though. You can find it for $340.
HP Mini Netbooks - HP has a line of netbooks that rank well. The HP Mini 311 was chosen as one of TopTenReviews best of 2010, while the Mini 210HD got a TestFreak score of 9.1, the 210 a 9, and the 5102 a 9.3. Let's take a closer look at the 311. With an 11.6-inch HD LED Brightview widescreen display, the HP Mini is a bit bigger than the others we've looked at. Inside, you'll find a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1 GB RAM, 160GB hard drive, XP Home, up to 6.25 hours of battery life, built-in HP webcam, and 5-in-1 digital media reader. Geek.com calls it an "excellent netbook," while Laptop Magazine says it has a stylish design and excellent graphics performance. You can find the HP Mini 311 for a bit under $400.
Asus Netbooks - There is always some Asus Eee netbook at the top of every "Best Netbook" list. They are an incredibly strong presence in the netbook world, with some experts saying they practically created it. The Asus Eee PC 1005HA is TopTenReviews choice for best netbook of 2010; PC World places it at number 3. This Asus netbook reviews well time after time, on CNET, Endgadget, Liliputing, and Laptop Magazine and other sites. The brand also fares well with consumers. The 1005HA has a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 processor, 16-GB hard drive, 10GB free Eee storage, Windows XP Home OS, 10.1-inch 1024x600 LCD display, 10.5 hours of battery life, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1.3mp webcam, built-in digital array mics, and a sleek, slim clamshell design. An Amazon reviewer calls this "the king of all netbooks." You can find this for a relatively low $350. Also check out the Asus 1005PE or the pricier Seashell 1201N-PU17-BK. You can't really go wrong with an Asus netbook.
With netbooks, you are comparing what are often small differences against the price. Stick to your budget, and you can certainly find an excellent netbook for well under $500, and even under $400. Remember, this doesn't have to replace your desktop computer or laptop, but it can be a convenient and fun addition to the family.
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BUYING GUIDES
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- Acer has always been known to provide solid budget computers, and they've entered the netbook sector strongly with the Aspire One D250. This was named as one of the best netbooks of 2010 by TopTenReviews and gets a TestFreak (testing and reviewing site for electronics and gadgets) score of 9.2/10. This tiny little Aspire has a 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom Processor, 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM single channel memory, 250GB SATA hard drive, Wi-Fi, 3 USB ports, 6-cell lithium battery, 10.1-inch CrystalBrite LED display, integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, Windows 7 Starter OS, CrystalEye webcam with built-in mic, Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, and up to 9 hours of battery life. This is an astonishingly loaded little computer, and you can also upgrade your Windows 7 Starter for Windows 7 Home Premium. TopTenReviews says that while this is one of the least expensive netbooks, it was one of their favorites and offered a great computing experience. You can find the Aspire One D250 for around $300-$330 at Amazon.