Netbook Shopping & Gift Guide 2008

According to Best Buy (you know it is prime time when a large consumer electronics retailer comes up with their own definition), a Netbook is a "streamlined mobile device designed for the Internet, so you can stay connected on the go". With a netbook, you can get up-to-date news, the latest scores and weather information, access your e-mail and social networking sites, and enjoy digital videos, photos and music. Netbooks are mini-versions of laptops (Dell has one named Mini Inspiron) and specializes in mobility and the Web - a great travelling companion without having to lug your full size laptop.

Intel resurrected the term Netbook in 2008 and defined it as "small laptops that are designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet. And they cost about $250, making Netbooks a potentially disruptive and high volume market segment".

When Asus launched it's first netbook, the Eee PC 7, with a 7 inch screen that weighs less than 2 pounds, I was hooked. Similar sized laptops called UMPC (ultra-mobile PC) were selling for more than $1000! Suddenly, every one wanted one for their kids to surf and check email, their grandparents to stay in touch, and also as travel only 'light top'.

Fast forward almost twelve short months. The 8.9 inch and 10 inch models have hit the scene and prices have dropped significantly across the board. I have trimmed down the vast selection and show you only the top models to consider for your shopping this holiday season.

For the 8.9 inch netbook category, the models to consider are the Acer Aspire One, Asus Eee PC 901, Dell Mini Inspiron, and HP Mini Note 2133. For the 10 inch netbook category, they are MSI Wind U100, Asus Eee PC 1000H, and Samsung NC10. The netbooks from Sylvania and NEC were both pretty lame looking.

We will highlight the pros and cons of each of these seven models and recommend one from each of the screen size category. Critical items to check out are:

• Processor - preferably the power friendly Intel Atom
• Battery Life - the longer the better
• Keyboard - size versus standard keyboad
• Operating System - Windows or Linux

Asus Eee PC 901

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 92% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP & Xandros Linux

HP Mini Note 2133

• Processor: Intel C7 Via
• Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 92% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows Vista & SUSE Linux

Acer Aspire One

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 5.5 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 89% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP & Linpus Linux

Dell Mini Inspiron 9

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 4 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 89% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP & Ubuntu Linux

Asus Eee PC 1000H

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 92% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP & Xandros Linux

MSI WInd U100

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 92% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP & SUSE Linux

Samsung NC10

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
• Keyboard: Roughly 93% of standard keyboard size
• OS: Windows XP

Almost all the new models have an Intel Atom processor and similar if not identical technical specifications and features. It boils down to industrial design and keyboard size and ease of use. Deja vu! Remember the Apple iPod and other MP3 players - design is everything.

In the 8.9 inch netbook category, the Asus Eee PC 901 is the clear winner. It's the top seller at almost all online retailers including Amazon and NewEgg. Prices have dropped significantly since Asus introduced this model a few months back.

In the 10 inch netbook category, the Samsung NC10 slightly edged the MSI Wind U100 because of its better keyboard. The NC10 is a new model in the market and Samsung is a reputable brand. However, a Linux version is not available yet.

All of these netbooks can be purchased from the Amazon.com web site. With Amazon, these netbooks will ship with free standard delivery (free two-day shipping from Amazon Prime) and you don't have to pay any sales tax for a savings of at least $50.

Happy Shopping!