Sleek, portable, lightweight and low-cost, these ultra-compact notebooks are winning over a growing number of consumers. Let’s take a look at some of the top models.
The Aspire One netbook weighs in at a trim 2.8 pounds and 1 inch thick. Unlike many netbooks, it boasts a full-sized keyboard and larger 720p HD screen (11.6-inches). You’ll find a 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor (a little on the slow side), 160GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM and 8.5 hours of battery life if you spring for the 6-cell battery option. At $330, you’ll also get built-in WiFi (3G cellular networking is also available as an add-on through AT&T) and three USB ports.
You’ll find a nice assortment of quasi-patriotic colors too – red, blue, black and white.
Starting at $339, the Eee PC 1008HA can deliver up to six hours of battery life and features a 10-inch WSVGA (1024 x 600) display, Windows XP operating system, 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. This 2.4-pound netbook delivers Wi Fi, built-in Bluetooth, two USB ports, and an SD card slot as well as a keyboard that’s 92 percent the size of a traditional keyboard.
Two nice features for the Eee PC are built-in Bluetooth (for using wireless headphones or earpieces for Web chats) and a 1.3-megapixel internal Web cam, features not typically available at the price.
Gateway LT3100
The LT3100 weighs in just over 3 pounds and carries an 11.6-inch high definition resolution display, 2GB of memory, a 250GB hard drive and a webcam. It is thin, at an inch thick. A basic configuration will set you back $399.
HP Mini 5101
Just because it’s small doesn’t mean the HP Mini 5101 can’t take a beating. Well, maybe not a beating, but it does offer an anodized aluminum enclosure with magnesium alloy casing, all in the service of making the Mini 5101 tougher. You’ll find a keyboard that’s 95 percent the size of a standard keyboard, a touchpad, and a 10-inch display in either WSVGA or HD resolution.
Weighing in at 2.6 pounds (and up, depending on battery), the Mini 5101 uses Intel’s Atom processor and features Wi Fi, a 2-megapixel Web cam, up to 2GB of memory and up to 320GB of hard drive capacity. You’ll also find three USB ports, one memory card slot (SD), and an optional module for adding 3G internet connectivity. The basic configuration starts at $449.
Lenovo IdeaPad S12
The IdeaPad S12 is a high-end netbook geared toward mobile pros. It offers a 12-inch display, a traditional, full-sized keyboard and the option to add a NVIDIA ION graphics engine for greater horsepower, including 1080p high definition video playback.
The customizable netbook starts at $449 and can offer up to 160GB worth of hard drive storage, 1GB of memory, Wi-Fi connectivity, a four-in-one flash memory card reader and an ExpressCard slot for adding 3G networking. If you’re prone to leaving expensive electronics in public places, the IdeaPad has facial recognition technology dubbed VeriFace that logs you in when it recognizes you.
All of this in a package that’s still under an inch thick and, with the three cell battery, just about three pounds. Lenovo also has a nice lower-cost option in the $349 IdeaPad S10-2. It offers a 10-inch screen, 3G cellular networking and weighs in under two pounds. It also features three USB ports and a four-in-one flash memory card reader. It will be sold in pink, white or black.
Sony VAIO W
Sony decked out its new higher-end W-series VAIO netbooks in a choice of pink, white or brown. You’ll find a 1366 x 768 resolution screen measuring in at 10-inches, a 160GB hard drive, Windows XP operating system, built-in mic and web cam.
For $500, it’s definitely pricey, but also more fully-featured, with built-in Bluetooth, a pair of USB ports, and DLNA-certification (for easier Wi Fi connections with other DLNA-enabled devices).
The beating heart of the Mini NB205 is your standard Intel Atom Processor, 1GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive and a 10-inch display (1024 x 600 resolution). The NB205 does offer a nice battery life at 9 hours but not as much in the way of connectivity – there are only two USB ports and no slots for memory cards. At 2.9 pounds it fits comfortably anywhere you’d happen to carry it.
A few nice touches at the $349 price include a Web-cam and a built-in mic for mobile Web chatting.
Computing on the Go
Keep in mind that netbooks are built for portability – so you’ll find smaller keyboards and smaller screens than what you’re used to on a full sized notebook. If you intend to spend hours watching high definition movies, do lots of Photoshop image editing, or play graphics-intensive video games, you’ll want to skip these slim computers for something with more processing heft.
