Netbooks
Netbook Buying Advice
Choosing which netbook to buy is easier than picking out a suitable mainstream laptop. This is because your options are quite limited - most netbooks are equipped with the same hardware: one 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, GMA 950 graphics, and 1GB of RAM. There are some occasional variations to the recipe, but the basics of a netbook are essentially the same – they are less powerful than a mainstream laptop but also very affordable and highly portable.
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Lenovo IdeaPad S10
Review by Jesper Berg
Choosing a netbook that suits you often comes down to aesthetics, and by that measure the Lenovo S10 has a lot of things going for it. It's possibly one of the best-looking netbooks around. It has a 10.2-inch LED backlit screen and comes in five different colors - red, blue, pink, black and white like our review model. Read more
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Dell Mini 9
Review by Jesper Berg
By now Dell has a full range of netbooks in sizes 9", 10", and oddly a 12" model, of which we’re looking at the smallest 9-incher here. Read more
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ASUS Eee PC 1000HE
Review by Todd Gold
The Eee PC has a slightly faster Atom processor and a faster FSB compared to the previous models. While this is not enough for anyone to upgrade, it could certainly attract first-time netbook buyers. Read more
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Acer Aspire One
Review by Laptopical.com
Of all the netbooks released in the last few months, the Acer Aspire One is probably the most popular. It's fitted with more or less the same components as nearly all other netbooks, but comes with a somewhat lower price tag. Read more
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Asus Eee PC 701
Review by Laptopical.com
Todd Gold catches up with an internet entrepreneur who makes a 6 figure income from the comfort of a white sandy beach in Belize. His tools? A hammock and an Asus Eee laptop. Read more
A majority of netbooks are delivered with Windows XP Home as the operating system, although certain models come with Linux. You will also find a few netbooks preloaded with Windows Vista, which is something we definitely advise against due to the steep hardware requirements associated with Vista. Stick with Linux or XP.
If you plan to use a netbook as your primary computer, you should know that they are not as capable as a full-size and more expensive regular laptop. For the time being, you can rule out playing modern games on a netbook for example, or using it to watch HD video. All this might change eventually as netbooks become more powerful, but for now they are intended for "light" computer use such as browsing the Internet and doing basic office work. That is not to say you can’t use it as your primary computer, but it's something you should know before you buy one. Read more about specific netbook models in our full reviews.
Netbook History
The original 7-inch Eee PC from ASUS is responsible for the incredible popularity of the netbook today, but the company can't claim credit for inventing the concept. Instead the whole idea came from the OLPC (One Laptop per Child) project - an initiative to develop low-cost, low-end computers for school children in developing countries.
Although the project's XO-1 laptop was never intended for consumers, the demand was there - a fact clearly demonstrated by the failure to meet demand in a "give one-get one" promotion. When the Taiwanese manufacturer ASUS made available its affordable, small and low-powered Eee PC 701 for consumers in 2007, the ball was set in motion and it didn't take long for other laptop manufacturers to follow suit and develop their own version of the mini-notebook.
Most Popular Laptops & Gear
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1. Inspiron Mini 10v Netbook - Customizable
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2. MacBook Notebook
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3. Pavilion Dv6-2150us Notebook
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1. EOS Rebel XSi Black SLR Digital Camera Kit
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2. EOS Rebel T1i Black SLR Digital Camera Kit w/...
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3. D90 Black SLR Digital Camera Body Only
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1. iPod Touch 64GB Black MP3 Player
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2. iPod Touch 8GB Black MP3 Player
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3. iPod Touch 32GB Black MP3 Player
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1. UN55B8000 55" LED TV
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2. 42LH30 42" LCD TV
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3. EOS Rebel XSi Black SLR Digital Camera Kit
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Latest Updates
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ASUS Eee PC 1000HE
The Eee PC has a slightly faster Atom processor and a faster FSB compared to the previous models. While this is not enough for anyone to upgrade, it could certainly attract first-time netbook buyers. Read More
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Dell Vostro A860
When price and performance must share in compromise, few laptops on the market readily answer the call of duty. When it comes to getting high quality at an affordable price, the Dell Vostro A860... Read More
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Dell Mini 9
By now Dell has a full range of netbooks in sizes 9", 10", and oddly a 12" model, of which we’re looking at the smallest 9-incher here. Read More
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Weird, Extraordinary and Record-Breaking Laptops
Here are the laptops that break one record or another, be it oldest, ugliest, cheapest or just very out of the ordinary. Read More
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Netshelter Last Gadget Standing CES 2009
As we wound up the show on it's official last day, we attended a micro-awards ceremony. In its 8th annual performance, the Last Gadget Standing hands you off with the top 10 "user" voted gadgets of... Read More
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Top 10 Useless Gadgets of CES 2009
Thousands of new products are unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas each year. Some of them change our lives forever, and some of them are... interesting in other ways. Read More
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Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2009
Yet again, Apple's professional geeks will offer up sessions and hands-on code probing and testing at Moscone West in San Francisco. The dates for 2009 are June 8-12. Read More
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E3 Expo
The E3 Expo - also known as the Electronic Entertainment Expo - is the one trade show to visit to get the latest news from the computer and video games industry. Read More
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CeBIT - Hannover 3-8 March
Unlike CES, CeBIT is open to the public, so there's no need to be a press or industry affiliate to have a look at this massive trade show, which is the largest in the world. Read More
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International CES 2009
Find out all you need to know about the 2009 International CES. It features 2,700 exhibitors, including companies who manufacture products or provide services for the audio, digital imaging, home... Read More
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Mac World Conference
Make sure to make a note about the Macworld Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, January 5-9. If you're a Mac user and wish to meet equivalent people in the industry this is the place for you. Read More
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Apple iPad debuts, falls short of hype, still kinda neat
In case you missed it, the Apple tablet we've been hearing about debuted in an invite only affair in San Francisco around 24 hours ago. So did it live up to the hype? Nope. But that doesn't mean... Read More
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Mysterious 'Creation' Touted by Apple - Yup, it's Tablet Time
Apple yesterday sent out an invitation to journalists to come and see their "latest creation." And there's nary a soul out there who doesn't think this means the long awaited Apple tablet is even... Read More
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Psystar - Another Step Closer to Death
A US District Judge recently threw out the bulk of Psystar's latest countersuit, while agreeing with the bulk of Apple's charges. Looks like the end is neigh for this particular hackintosh... Read More
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March on Tux Penguins! - 7000 Linux Guides
TuxMobil isthe World Wide Web's biggest resource when it comes toLinux-based operating systems and laptop computers. Read More
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Linux Deal in Full Gallop: The GazelleValue
Laptopicalis always on the hunt for a good value. Sure, we review our fairshare of more expensive gaming and business notebooks, but mostof all, we relish our role as the everyman's laptop blog... Read More
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Linux Certified - Preloaded PC
In the past we'vetalked about ways to transform your laptop from a Windows-basedversion to a cutting-edge Linux version, Read More
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Microsoft Courier to be ultraportable 'digital journal'
The latest tidbit about Microsoft's Courier device is that it is going to function as an extremely portable, lightweight 'digital journal' of sorts. Users can expect it to be centered around... Read More
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Microsoft Windows browser ballot coming out in EU next week
Windows users across select countries this week and soon all over the EU will be informed they have "an important choice to make" - and that's whether or not they want to keep using IE or not. Read More
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Microsoft's Courier Fails to Deliver at Keynote, Apple Rejoices
In a much hyped keynote address at CES, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made no mention of the fabled Courier, the tablet computer that would rival the as yet unannounced Apple tablet. Did Microsoft... Read More
Best & Worst as Voted by Readers
| The Best | Votes |
|---|---|
| Top 10 Technologies of 2008 | 17 |
| Top 10 Netbooks | 17 |
| Top 10 Useless Gadgets of CES 2009 | 11 |
| The Worst | Votes |
|---|---|
| Top 10 Netbooks | 9 |
| Top 10 Technologies of 2008 | 3 |
| Top 10 Useless Gadgets of CES 2009 | 2 |
| The Best | Votes |
|---|---|
| Mac World Conference | 10 |
| International CES 2009 | 5 |
| E3 Expo | 2 |
| The Worst | Votes |
|---|---|
| International CES 2009 | 2 |
| The Best | Votes |
|---|---|
| Axiotron Revamps ModBook - Now Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger | 6 |
| More Trouble For New MacBooks - Now It's RAM, GPU | 4 |
| Keycarbon's Raptor - Hardware Key Logger | 1 |
| The Worst | Votes |
|---|---|
| More Trouble For New MacBooks - Now It's RAM, GPU | 2 |
| Apple Waiving License Fees For Mini DisplayPort Spec | 1 |
| Axiotron Revamps ModBook - Now Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger | 1 |
| The Best | Votes |
|---|---|
| Linux Certified - Preloaded PC | 4 |
| March on Tux Penguins! - 7000 Linux Guides | 2 |
Editor's Choice
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Weird, Extraordinary and Record-Breaking Laptops
Here are the laptops that break one record or another, be it oldest, ugliest, cheapest or just very out of the ordinary. Read More
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Top 10 Technologies of 2008
Laptopical's T.J. Aaron summarizes the breakthroughs in technology of 2008. As we are nearing the end of 2008 - find out what made his Top 10 of the most successful and talked about technologies of... Read More
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Top 10 Netbooks
The netbook world has gotten increasingly crowded, and until the massive popularity of the form factor wanes this trend will only increase. Beyond Asus and Acer, major corporations like Dell, HP... Read More
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Axiotron Revamps ModBook - Now Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
Axiotron has taken a good look at their tablet ModBook and improved it in a number of ways. Read More
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Apple Considering Liquid Cooling For MacBooks
Apple is considering using liquid coolant to keep the temperature down on future MacBooks and other devices. Read More
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Apple Waiving License Fees For Mini DisplayPort Spec
Apple's is attempting to drive up adoption of the Mini DisplayPort specification by offering free licensing for it. Read More
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Better Late Than Never Says Linuxtards as Lenny Arrives
After 22 months of development, Debian version 5 (codenamed "Lenny") is finally available. Debian is a big Linux distribution in itself, and also important because it constitutes the foundation of... Read More
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Linux and SSD Options Confirmed For 10-inch Aspire One
Acer has come clean and announced their SSD and Linux options for the new 10" Acer Aspire One. Read More
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Quanta Demonstrates 'Touchless' Touching
Windows 7 is known for its multi-touch capabilities, and many are excited to develop implementations of this which will be effective and easy to use. Quanta has devised their Optical Touch... Read More
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New Microsoft Surface Has Grand Plans For Hospitals
Microsoft has developed a new Surface which is dynamic and multi-touch. Doctors are hopeful that it can be used to make sharing information amongst professionals and also with patients... Read More
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Windows 7 Software Features Multi-touch Media Transfer
With new software developed for Windows 7, you can transfer music and other media to your iPod, iPhone, Android phone and various cameras using just your fingers. Simply place the device on the... Read More
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