Netbooks are thin, light, cheap and less powerful laptops while ultrabooks are thin, light, expensive and powerful notebook computers. That’s the general difference in a nutshell.

Ultrabooks are meant to be premium notebooks while netbooks are meant to be low-cost laptop computers.

Therefore, a netbook and an ultrabook are two very distinct types of portable laptop PCs and when shopping for a brand new notebook, you should know the difference, which you do now.

For a guide to ultrabooks plus reviews, opinions, shopping guides and best price finder, check out Ultrabook Star.

As more brands and models emerge, it’s getting easier and easier to score a cheap netbook. Cheap as in low-price and not cheap as in low-quality. In other words, your cheap netbook notebook will be low priced and yet be of high quality.

Here are two more ways to get yourself a cheap netbook:

1) Shop for demos

Every electronics retail outlet has demos that the shopping public can use and see wether the device is for them or not. These cannot be resold as new but have to be sold somehow. This is your opportunity for a cheap netbook deal. You can simply ask the store wether they will sell you the demo at a discount.

2) Keep an open eye

I am surprised at how few people peruse circulars for cheap netbook offers. Depending on the season or intention of the retailer, a huge price slash can be made on netbooks for a limited time as a way to entice shoppers to flock over to the store. You should keep your eyes open for such great deals. They actually come by more often than believed because in any area, there are so many electronics store fighting for shoppers’ attention!

This brief note on how to score a cheap netbook is an extension to the initial article that I wrote entitled: “How to Find the Best and Cheapest Netbook Deals“. If you have not read it before, check it out and if you have already, re-read it to refresh your memory. Good luck on getting that low-price deal!

We all love deals right? After all, who likes to pay full price for an item that can be obtained elsewhere at a better price? Let’s talk about the $100 netbook notebooks you probably have come across many times.

Are you getting a deal or are you getting duped on these $100 netbook notebooks?

First, I should mention that there are two types of $100 netbooks:

1) The little-known compact laptop brands with niche operating systems such as Android or Linux that cost the manufacturer little to make that ultimately the customers gets a pretty cheap price.

In this category, I can think of the HiVision PW700B, a sub $100 netbook that runs Linux

2) Well known ultra portable netbooks such as Acer Aspire One or MSI Wind that are offered at less than $100 by retailers or phone operators as long as the customer agrees to get on a two year data plan.

Here, I can think of the $100 netbook notebooks offers made by RadioShack in the US and Vodafone in some parts of Europe if I recall correctly.

In the first case, the sub $100 is a gamble because the brand is obscure and hence the quality of these netbooks is everyone’s guess. Furthermore, you need to be comfortable with the niche operating systems. If you’re the conventional type who likes to stick to what you’re familiar with, I would think twice on these types of deals. On the other hand, if you’re a computer pro and know your stuff inside out, grab the deal and run with it!

Where things really get interesting is with the $100 netbook notebooks offered on condition of signing a two year data plan contract. As a consumer, this is where you really need to be well informed and know how the game is played otherwise you’re in for a little costly surprise.

Chances are that you probably a mobile phone and that you are on a contract. If you are not, you definitely know someone who is and you have heard her or his story. You get the phone for free or really cheap as long as you agree to a two year contract.

You get to use your minutes and in the case of $100 netbook notebooks, your data plan for two years and all is good.

But how often does the phone last for two years? The thing either breaks down before the end of the contract or you find yourself needing a new one for reasons that are unique to you. If you do it after one year, you spend money on a new device and you’re still under the commitment of the two year contract in which twelve months remain!

Some people are comfortable with this of course and I am no judge but personally, I never get a free to cheap phone just to find myself on a contractual obligation to the phone company.

That’s what all these $100 netbook notebooks type-deals are all about. They may be of good service to you or they can be terrible masters. For instance, if your $100 netbook breaks and it’s your fault, you will still have to pay your monthly fee while shelling out your cash for a replacement compact laptop.

It also goes without saying that in the case of the Radio Shack deal, the $100 netbook deal actually costs you $1500 over two years.

Now that you know what the real truth is on these $100 netbook notebooks offers that you see left, right and center go out there and shop wisely.

Good luck!

Anything smaller makes net browsing and keyboard typing (especially if you have large fingers) cumbersome and beside there’s no real portability difference between a 7″ and an 10″ netbook. There seem to be no major price differences either. Gizmodo Australia ran a survey and the majority of respondents thinks that 10″ netbooks is the way to go.

See: Are Netbooks Too Small?

Netbooks are no fad. I have said it many times (Are Netbooks a Fad?). This new category is just a niche that may one day overtake the full-fledged notebook category.

One of the proofs (another one being corporate adoption. See: Prediction: Why Netbooks Are Going Corporate in 2009) that the netbook movement is going to really explode in 2009 and beyond is the fact that there are now many offers that promise a netbook for a really low price in exchange for a subscription to a mobile broadband plan just like it’s done in the mobile phone industry.

While this concept is still new, it’s not very difficult to figure out if it’s worth it from a buyer’s perspective. It’s just a matter of looking at the mobile phone situation.

The first of such deals include a netbook for about $99 and a commitment to sign-up for a two year contract. In Australia, some offers actually give away the netbook for free! (See: At Last, One Way to Get a Free Dell Netbook. Yes, There’s a Catch)

Is it worth it?

Like most things in life, it depends.

People are saying that in the case of the Radio Schack deal (where you get a $99 Acer Aspire One netbook with integrated 3G wireless technology if you sign-up for a two-year plan AT&T mobile broadband plan that start at $60/month), ultimately the netbook will cost $1540. (See: How to Buy an Acer Aspire for only $100. But there’s a “But!”)

Such observers say that you will be spending $1540 while you could get the Acer Aspire One netbook for around $300. In their opinion, it’s a total rip-off.

While it may look so, it’s really not because at the end of the day, it’s not as if you’re not using your mobile broadband. In other words, you are getting an Internet service on top of a mini-laptop.

If you’re always on the move and want Internet access everywhere and are comfortable with owning a computer for two years without needing an upgrade or replacement, this deal is worth considering.

On the other hand, if you find yourself changing computers like you change, err, socks and you really don’t need mobile broadband because everywhere you go there’s a Wi-Fi signal that you can tap into, these types of deals are not worth your consideration.

In my case for instance, I know that 2009 will be the year of the netbook where new faster models will be introduced that feature longer battery life, better design, better prices (ie: cheaper than what’s found today) and with more hard drive space.

As a computer user, I replace my machines every year. I am also lucky to live in a city where there’s free Wi-Fi almost everywhere I find myself daily so while I am on the move, I can always stay connected.

So, the thought of being stuck in a contract with an Acer Aspire one netbook or other ultraportable notebook that I got for a “deal” in exchange of a two year marriage, does not appeal to me at all.

A) I want to be able to replace my netbook without being forced to pay for the older one B) I am not that much in a hurry to be needing mobile broadband (another consideration: the more popular data plans get, the cheaper they will get).

Should you seriously consider the Radio Shack type deals?

Yes if you’re comfy with using a netbook for two years and if you really need the mobile broadband and find the prices fair.

No if you don’t need mobile broadband after all and if you want the freedom to change netbooks whenever you want.

The New York Times comes to rescue thankfully and breaks it down in an easy to understand format. Computing Without a Whirring Drive

“Netbooks  are defined as clamshell notebooks with 7in to 10.2in screens, “purpose built for internet use“. – Read more: Intel Explains MID, Netbook Definitions

I keep forgetting that unlike me, some shoppers actually prefer buying stuff in real life retail stores as opposed to sitting in front of their screens with their credit card in hand. If you want to touch your netbook before you buy it or in other words, if you would rather shop offline, here are a few retailers that you should pay a visit in order to score the best deal on a cool netbook. 

1) Walmart

I am impressed. I would have thought that Walmart would take some unknown netbooks and sell them as cheap as possible. Nope, they actually stock reputable netboooks such as the Acer Aspire One! Pay them a visit and see what “everyday low prices” they have on netbooks

2) Costco

Costco is one of the best stores for treasure hunters. You will never know what they have in stock at any given time so that’s why you should pay them a visit very often. For instance, I went to visit the one next to my place and I did not find anything. A few weeks later, I went shopping with a family member to a Costco close to her area and the Acer Aspire One netbooks that I saw there almost drove me nuts! I wanted to buy them all! 

3) Best Buy

The king of electronics retailing. Your shopping should start here if you want to compare a few netbooks and if you want options. Just watch out for those sales peeps because they know how to get you to purchase something “better” and hence more expensive. They say that they’re not on commission but they are still there to sell. It’s their job description!

4) Dollar Store type retailers

Those super discounters usually have quite a few cool netbooks that they sell for super cheap. Don’t expect miracles when you pay them a visit though. Just go there with an open mind and keep checking their flyers to see what they have on offer.

I think that, that’s it for the moment. There are more stores where you can get netbooks but hey, they’re cheap enough for you to waste your time and petrol trying to save $50. If there’s a store that you think I should absolutely share with everyone, please by all means include it in the comments section below and I will update the list accordingly. Thanks.

You’ve read all about refurbished netbooks (See: Why Refurbished Netbooks Are the Best Cheapest Deals Ever) and why they’re the best cheapest deals ever and now your hunt for your mini-laptop begins. Where to shop? Who is reliable? Am I really getting the best deals on the refurbished netbook?

Netbook Era has all the answers to your refurbished netbook shopping related questions in this simple guide to the Top 10 places to snatch up the best deal possible.

I am first going to assume that you are in the USA. I am then going to assume that you know which netbook model you wish to buy or that you know what specs you wish for or better yet, that you have a budget figured out. You will come across quite a few deals on refurbished netbooks and the last thing you want to happen is be paralyzed by the many options that you miss out on the deal because some faster shopper snapped it away from you!

1) Dell.com

Head over to Dell.com if you’re after refurbished Dell netbooks obviously. Tracking down the refurbs at Dell.com can be tricky because they obviously want you to buy the new, more expensive Inspiron Mini 9 first before selling you the cheaper deal. Just head over to the outlet section and if you don’t find anything, do a search just to make sure that you did not miss any deal.

By the way, you way want to do the same at HP, Lenovo, Acer, Toshiba and so forth if you’re after a certain brand of refurbished mini-laptop.

2) Amazon

Personally, I start all my shopping at Amazon.com. Not only do I trust this retailer with all my credit cards, a safe shipment, good aka cheap prices, fast delivery and a reputable name but I also trust that if there’s a place to spot a refurbished netbook, it will be at Amazon because they really have quite a selection of everything.

On Amazon, I never bother shopping following categories. I just use their fantastic search tool and the site will usually make suggestions and reveal stuff that I would have not even found on my own.

3) eBay 

If you really, really, really are looking for the best steals ever on refurbished netbooks (as if the refurb was not a steal by itself!), don’t just sit there reading this article but click yourself to eBay and start browsing the categories or using the search tool (if you’re lazy like me). You will find all sorts of deals on netbook refurbs. Some will downright look to good to be legit and I recommend that you treat them as such.

There are millions of people selling their wares on eBay. There are thousands of independent retailers who use eBay as store front for their super cheap refurbished netbooks. But again, you have to be very comfortable with eBay shopping as it’s a kind of wild west there! Personally, I never bid. I just find deals that allow me to pay right away and I am good to go. Yes, I do miss out by not participating in auctions but like I said, I am the lazy type

4) Newegg

I remember when Newegg was the online retailer for geeks and anyone who built their own computer and took pleasure in that. No more… Newegg has become a place for everyone including hunters of refurbished netbooks.

Millions of Internet shoppers like the no nonsense approach of Newegg.com. You buy your stuff, pay for it and it’s delivered. No sketchy upsells and if they do not have it, they will tell you right away. No wonder they are becoming the first name in computer retailing.

5) Tiger Direct

Before Newegg went mainstream and hence made more sense to me, Tiger Direct was my number one stop for all my tech needs (desires to be correct). They have good prices and above all, I like their large selection of refurbished electronics.

You owe it to yourself to pay them a visit, see what refurbished netbook they’re offering and I am sure that you will spot something that you will want to have delivered to your house.

6) CDW

I am going to admit never having bought anything from CDW but I know of them and I heard good things that I can safely recommend them as a good source for refurbished netbooks.

CDW is one of the leading computer retailer on the Internet and I am sure that if millions find what they are looking at that site, you will too. Include CDW in your refurb netbook deal hunt.

7) Staples

You know of Staples because you’ve to their stores. But one thing you learn very quickly is that just because they have a certain item in the store does not mean that they have it online or that they sell if for the same price and vice versa.

So, one could say that Staples.com and the Staples retail stores are different entities with the same brand name. You won’t find many refurbished netbook deals at Staples but you have to pay them a visit because it can be your lucky day. My online shopping motto is: “If I do not check on it, I def won’t get a deal on it”.

8 ) Office Depot

Here’s a small confession: I always used to think that Staples and Office Depot were the same retailers but operating under different names. It turns out that many years ago, they almost joined forces so that’s maybe why I got confused in the first place. 

Honestly, Office Depot’s online selection is the same as Staples’. If it’s your lucky day, you will be lucky and score a wonderful deal on netbook refurbs. It does not hurt to see what they have on offer.

9) Overstock

I really like the Overstock concept. They took something that works in the fashion industry and adapted it to everyday items. They explain what they’re all about better: “Overstock.com has established partnerships with many leading brand-name companies. Due to these relationships, we are able to buy products at significant discounts, which then allows us to pass these incredible savings on to you.”

That’s why I recommend that you check out what deals they may have because you can find yourself with a dope refurbished netbook.

10) eCost 

eCost is the self-proclaimed super online discounter. That’s kind amusing because Internet retailing is a price game and no one can really claim to have the lowest prices because in a matter of seconds another retailer will drop his’ or her’s.

But do check out eCost for netbook deals on refurbs. Just make sure that you do not get distracted (like me) and find yourself filling up your shopping car with everything but the refurbished netbook that you intended to purchase when you paid them a visit!

11) Google

My top 10 choices on places to find the best refurbished netbooks is not obviously the best. I just shared my personal opinion and experience with refurb netbook shopping. Never, ever forget to do a Google search on your netbook refurb of choice. There are hundreds of thousands of retailers offering different deals everyday so make sure that you use Google Product Search (called Froogle back in the days) as well as the “normal” Google search. You will find stuff that even I will not come across.

To quote the famous president’s quote: “Now, Go out there and shop!”.

If you’re sold on Dell netbooks and want to buy one, this guide will tell you where to purchase your desired mini laptop.

Buying Dell netbooks is relatively simple for a good reason: Dell sells its products including the netbook range directly to its customers via the telephone or its website. It does not matter where you are in the world (United States, Canada, UK, France, Australia and wherever you are). That’s on the Internet at Dell.com.

Offline aka in the real world, Dells has no stores like the Apple stores and so to shop for Dell netbooks, you have to go to the retailers that are authorized to sell Dell computers. You will come across some authorized stores that will try to sell you a Dell netbook but stay away. Yes, the price may be cheaper but what happens if your computer goes bust? You can’t take it to the retailer to fix because they cannot send it to Dell! But you may come across some stores that will offer their own warranties. (See: How to Find the Best and Cheapest Netbook Deals or our buying guide How to Buy a Netbook)

At this time of writing and if I am not mistaken, in the US (and most probably Canada), you can find Dell netbooks at Walmart, Best Buy and Staples if you are into offline shopping.

You can also find Dell netbooks online without going to Dell.com. You can for instance go eBay where you have individuals selling off their netbooks. In most cases, they will be used and sometimes you will find never opened boxes that probably “fell off the truck” and you can get them for a good deal. It’s a moral decision to make (buying suspicious stuff from eBay) and usually you usually are on your own when it comes to warranty.

If you head over to Amazon.com, you will see that there’s a small selection of Dell netbooks. That’s pretty normal because there aren’t many Dell netbook models anyway as I write this, there is only the Dell Mini 9 netbook. But you will also notice that Dell and not Amazon may sell these netbooks. That’s because anyone can sell stuff on Amazon including corporations just like people do on eBay. In that case, you’re better off going to Dell directly.

That’s about it. I can’t think of any other options. Sometimes you can find independent online or offline retailers who sell customized Dell netbooks. These computers will obviously be more expensive due to the extra touch. But if you really want a laptop that’s different from the one that comes out of the processing plant, this may be the way to go.

Are you aware of any other ways to score the best Dell netbook deals? Please share them in the section below. In the meantime, happy shopping!

1) Netbooks are cheap

You can but netbooks from $200 dollars if you really pay attention. Netbooks are cheaper versions of laptops because they are smaller, do not require expensive processors to boost performance and they run on an earlier operating system. In plain English, this means that they are designed to do the job without going all out and using all the bells and whistles that mankind has ever created.

2) Netbooks have a high-perceived value

You cannot even begin to imagine the joy of the person to whom you will offer the netbook. “You got me a computer! You’re the best!”.  Computers may have come down in prices after these many years but they still have a perceived value because of what they are able to do. If you really want to win favors from a particular person, offer her or him a netbook and watch them hold you in higher esteem!

Netbooks make better gifts than boxes of candles for instance*

 3) Netbooks are practical

How many holiday presents have you received that are still sitting where you dropped them off after receiving them last holiday season? Exactly… netbooks are practical gifts. People actually will use them and be productive. If the person accomplishes much with it, he or she will credit you for helping in their achievement. Buying a netbook for a precious person this holiday is a sure bet because you know that they’re going to like it and put it to good use right away. (See: 7 Good Reasons to Buy a Netbook over a Laptop Computer)

4) Netbooks are universal pleasers

I could not find the right word to describe what I mean. But to get to my point: everyone knows of somebody for whom it’s difficult to buy a present for. Alternatively, sometimes you don’t know what the person wants or needs. Everyone will benefit from owning a netbook. If they commute to work or school, they will be in heaven. If they have to fight with siblings to use the communal computer, they will be in heaven. If they’re sick and tired of hauling around their heavy laptop, they will be in heaven. And so on. You can buy a netbook for someone who traditionally is hard to please.

5) Netbooks are REALLY cheap

I am no repeating myself. Not only are netbooks naturally cheap (compared to laptops), you can still track them down for way cheaper if you shop around. I wrote about this in two articles that you should get your eyes on right away (How to Find the Best and Cheapest Netbook Deals and Why Refurbished Netbooks Are the Best Cheapest Deals Ever ). You can get really good deals on netbooks and laugh at those who paid the MSRP!

Are you sold on to why netbooks make the best holiday gifts? I sure do hope so. I admit that you can buy one or two before the expenses start accumulating but those who will receive them will love you and suck up to you forever. If you act on this idea and actually do offer a netbook to your loved one, please share their excitement with all of us! 

To get your holiday mini-laptop shopping started, head over to: How to Buy a Netbook

* Photo:  Saquan Stimpson/monstershaq200 0

For reasons beyond my comprehension very few consumers are not aware of refurbished netbook deals. It’s without a doubt, the best way possible to land a good deal on netbooks without the fear of them being sketchy.

If you already know what refurbished netbooks are and just want to know where to spot the killer and best deals, check out: Top 10 Places to Find Killer Deals on Refurbished Netbooks

I wrote about other ways to buying good and cheap netbooks but you either have to wait or scout the Internet and sometimes you may be getting an item that’s defective but the dishonest retailer won’t mention that!

Refurbished netbooks are what I recommend to most ultra portable mini computer shoppers out there. I recommend such deals not only because they’re cheap but because the netbooks have been thoroughly inspected to make sure that it works fine and dandy.

What is a refurbished netbook?

If you don’t know what a refurbished item is, here’s a quick explaination: sometimes items are returned and the manufacturer or retailer re-inspects them and fixes them if need be. By the time, the item hits the shelves again it’s good as new but for legal reasons cannot be marketed as such hence the refurbished label.

I say better than new because the netbook in our case will have been examined that it’s guaranteed to be in mint conditions. I remember buying a new computer many years ago and the hard drive was defective. I fought with the retailer before he issued me with a new one.

That’s because not all brand new products are checked at the assembly chain as it would be too expensive. Manufacturers do random tests on every thousand netbook or so. If your netbook was the 90^th and it’s broken, you’re in trouble if you cannot convincingly prove to the retailer that the mini-laptop was dead on arrival.

At least with refurbished netbooks, you know that they’re working fine and you still get a good guarantee that you won’t get if you buy a used netbook from an individual whose warranty has expired.

Where do you spot deals on refurbished netbooks?

The first place to visit is the manufacturer’s and retailer’s website. If a netbook is refurbished they will say so. The low price will be a giveaway anyway. I would also keep an eye on price comparisons websites and investigate the really cheap netbook prices. Chances are that they may be refurbished mini notebooks.

The best way is probably to hit Google and start your search with brand and model plus refurbished and see what comes up. If you find a good deal, jump on it! They fly out fast. I am always on the look out for deals at the Apple store and I have never been able to score an iPod deal because within seconds, they are over!

Now that you know all about refurbished netbooks, go out there and start the shopping process. Please share your experience in the comments’ section below if you have already bought a refurbished netbook and we’d like to hear your experiences good or bad.

There are many ways to buy a really good but cheap netbook computer. When I say cheap, please don’t think that you will also be getting a low quality ultra portable notebook. Nope, you will be getting the real deal!

Battle of the brands

The first way to get a netbook for really cheap is to stay clear from the big brands such as Dell, HP, Apple and Toshiba to name a few. I once wrote that basically all netbooks are the same (How to Pick and Shop for The Best Netbook) it’s just the badge that is different meaning that a manufacturer can charge higher or lower to stay in line with the image of his brand. For instance an Apple will be more expensive than a Dell. Of course, this example is extreme because Apple really insists on design and experience.

But in other cases, you will find that an Asus is generally cheaper than a Dell or Toshiba. Don’t be fooled into believing that just because a netbook brand such as Toshiba or Samsung are globally recognized names, that they’re better than the obscure MSI Wind or Sotec.

If you have no brand loyalty, go with the cheapest brand on the block assuming that the specifications and features of the netbook in question meet your needs.

Spot the deals aka the netbook sales

A second way to get the best netbook possible for really cheap is to watch out for a good deal. The only catch is that it requires time, effort and patience.

You will have to spend hours searching for retailers, deals and conditions. The payoff is that you will pay less of course. You can use websites that track down the latest deals or sales from various retailers or you can go to all the netbook manufacturers and check out the closeout page for the deals. If you want to shop offline, you simply need to keep an eye on the circulars or better yet pay a visit to all the leading retailers and see what they’re clearing out.

Don’t forget the back to school specials or the mothers of all sales: Black Friday and Boxing Day!

It’s work but like I said, you can save some serious money and still land with the best netbook while those who never bothered will pay full price.

New releases

Every computer has a beginning and an end. That means that something faster and more powerful will eventually replace each model. That does not mean that the current netbook is now obsolete. It just means that there’s something new.

The best time to buy a new netbook for really cheap is when the store is trying to make room for new stock by almost giving away the current inventory. It’s like how smart shoppers deal with fashion. The best time to buy that expensive jacket is when the season is ending and the store is selling it for really cheap to make room for spring clothing.

That’s it for now, you have more than enough ammunition to get you on your way. You will find the best netbook using all the tips shared above. If you still want another powerful way to buy a really cheap netbook, see: Why Refurbished Netbooks Are the Best Cheapest Deals Ever. Do you have any other tips of scoring good netbook deals? Please share them with us in the comments section below. Thanks!

At Notebook Era, I try my best to keep the talk a 100% jargon free. But when it comes to batteries, I had no idea how to approach the topic without getting technical and confusing you and I in the process. 

Thank goodness for Dustin Sklavos at Tablet PC Review. He went all out and wrote a whole guide to how batteries work and exactly how to tell what is what from the different options out there.

Yes, his website is about Tablet PCs but the guide is also very relevant to netbooks. He will tell you:

- Which netbook batteries last forever and which ones dry up within minutes
- How a laptop battery works
- The connection between cells and power hours and what they actually mean
- All about battery life
- How to really shop for netbook battery life
- How long batteries of netbooks can be expected to last
- Which netbook brands have the longest lasting batteries

And that’s just a sample! Check it out for yourself: How It Works: Batteries. Thanks Dustin!

Alas, no. There are many netbook buying guides that have popped up since these mini-laptops became the craze from nowhere. There are so many of them (the ultra-portable notebooks) that it gets confusing for the shopper.

I have compiled a selection of the best buyer’s guides to netbooks that are out there. They all are pretty good (just like mine of course:)) as they’re written by people who live and breathe notebooks.  So, by the time you read through a couple of them, you will be the most up to date person and you will be able to spot and buy the best netbook without even trying. You will even find yourself advising friends and family members on what to buy and what to stay away from.

If you come across some interesting guide to buying the best notebook by all means please drop me a line and I will gladly include it here. Thanks in advance!

Without further ado, let’s get to it. Enjoy! 

GigaOM: A Quick Guide to Netbooks

The many choices in this nascent netbook market can overwhelm, so here is a quick hit list of popular models along with some basic information to help you decide which one might work best for you.

PC Mag: Netbook Buying Guide

If you’re not thinking about buying a netbook, you should be—they’re powerful, portable, and inexpensive. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.

Trusted Reviews: The Ultimate Netbook Buyer’s Guide

We come to this article and its humble aim, to breakdown every important facet into one inexhaustible resource on netbooks. We’ll be revisiting all the models we’ve reviewed since the very first, taking a look at a few we haven’t seen, while ultimately guiding you to the netbook that suits your needs.

Tech Report:  Back-to-school Netbook Guide

Making sense of a crowded, confusing market. The netbook is a modern curiosity, a new class of notebook barely a year old and still going through its growing pains as manufacturers try to balance their designs properly.

Computer World: A Road Warrior’s Guide To Netbooks

 For some people, such as students, a netbook can be a primary computer. For a business user, it might be a second PC for use when traveling or commuting. Here are five tips to help pick the right one for your needs.

ZDNet: Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Top 5 Netbooks

The biggest surprise of 2008 was the arrival of netbooks. Asus was the first in the pool with its Eee PC, and after some initial hesitation, the big guys were forced to jump in as well. Acer, Dell, HP and Lenovo are all among a long list of companies now selling netbooks.

The Street: A Holiday Shopping Guide for Netbooks

The big question for this holiday shopping season is whether or not a netbook is the right computer for you. The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a portable computer.

OS News: Netbooks and Mini-Laptops Buyer’s Guide

‘m slightly obsessed with my Aspire One netbook, and actually, with netbooks in general. They are great little devices, more powerful than you’d give them credit for upon first encounter. And, but that might just be me, netbooks are what laptops should have been from day one: truly portable.

Register Hardware: Buyer’s Guide to Netbooks and Mini-Laptops

Since Asus launched the Eee PC 701 in October 2007, many notebook makers have hopped on the Small, Cheap Computer bandwagon, a fair few of them pushing the limits of the format’s size and price in the process. So here, then, is Register Hardware’s guide to the current crop of netbooks.

Obsessable: Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Netbooks

2008 saw the creation of one big consumer electronics category: Netbooks. Starting with the original Eee PC, these netbooks spawned many imitators flooding the market with their little laptops. Now with the holiday season fast approaching, netbooks could definitely make a great gift for a loved one — that is, if you can sort through the dozens of different machines. Rather than rounding up all the different options, we’re going to show you some of our favorite netbook choices.

Tech Radar: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Netbook

Netbooks have exploded onto the market. And apparently it was a surprise to everyone in the computing industry that Joe Public fell in love with them. Netbooks are great for portability, but look elsewhere if it’s power you want.

Now that you know what you need in a netbook computer (Read: How to Pick and Shop for The Best Netbook), it’s time to figure out what brand and model to pick from. Even though netbooks are pretty new, there is already quite a selection and that can get a little bit confusing.

In this article, I will try to answer the tough question of which is the best netbook notebook computer. I have to add before I go on that this is my view and not a universal perspective. You may want to consult with other guides for their take on the topic and thus be a better informed smart shopper.

Moving on…

So far, the serious players in the netbook business seem to be Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Apple (if you we say that the MacBook Air is a netbook). There are a few more of course and new players do show up everyday but at this time of writing, the above mentioned are the ones that you should consider as serious contenders in your shopping spree. 

To make matters interesting, some of these netbook brands have one or more models that have their own distinct features. For instance, current market darling Asus offers, four models as I write this. How do they differ? They differ in CPUs, display sizes, storage types and sizes and of course prices. I will talk more about this in a bit but keep this in mind. (See: The Best Netbook Guides You Will Ever Read)

So what is the best netbook brand?

Are you familiar with the term OEM short for Original equipment manufacturer? In layman’s terms it means that basically there’s one major computer manufacturer located somewhere in Asia who makes the netbook and different brands will take that netbook and tweak the exterior to fit their existing brands.

Basically, it’s the same computer but it’s just that it looks different. It’s really like a policeman who wears a uniform when he’s at work but when he goes to the swimming pool to relax with his wife and children puts on a swimming costume. This man may be wearing different uniforms but he still is the same under the “hood”.

My point? Netbooks are more or less the same. I understand that techies and purists are going to be on my case about this but consider this: 

The MSI Wind PC which is considered to be one of the best netbook on the block. According to Wikipedia, It turns out that there are 18 known original equipment manufacturer versions of the Wind:

-Advent 4211 in the UK.

-Medion Akoya Mini in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland and Australia (as of 23rd October 2008) (the Medion Akoya Mini is a slightly different containing a different wireless card, no Bluetooth (Aust. model features mini Bluetooth dongle), and 0.3MP camera).

-MyBook M11 ‘Freedom’ in Denmark, however, unlike the other OEM versions, the MyBook M11 does not have a logo on its case.

-Mouse Computer LuvBook U100 in Japan.

-Mivvy M310 in the Czech Republic.[7] but with 2GB of RAM and a 120GB HDD.

-Tsunami Moover T10 in Portugal (XP version only)

-NTT Corrino 101I and Aristo Pico i300 in Poland

-RoverBook Neo U100 in Russia with 120GB or 160GB HDD

-Axioo Pico in Indonesia with 160GB HDD but not include Bluetooth

-Multirama HT Xpress Book in Greece with 160GB HDD

-Positivo Mobo White in Brazil, with 4 models: 1000, 1050, 1070 and 1090. All sport Intel Atom Processors and range from 512 MB RAM / 80 GB HDD (Mobo White 1000) to 1 GB RAM and 160 GB HDD (Mobo White 1090).

-The Proline U100 in South Africa. 

Wikipedia goes on to say that “all OEM versions are offered in different colors to the original MSI Wind, apart from the Tsunami Moover (white only) and the Mobo White”.

Pictured above are the Proline U100 and the Medion Akoya Mini. Can you spot any visual difference?

So now suppose that you went into a store that sold netbooks and by a weird coincidence sold all the above brands under one roof. Yes, they would be priced differently according to the different specifications such as hard drive storage size or the strength of the brand.

Essentially though, you would be buying the same netbook! How about that?

I am not saying that the same manufacturer makes ALL netbooks. But I will say that in a matter of quality, they’re pretty much the same which leads me to conclude that you should not really pay attention to the brands but more to the specifications and the price to make sure that you buy the netbook that is right for you.

As long as you stick to the brands mentioned earlier (Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Apple), you should be good.

Now the trick is to find the best netbook model. What makes each model different to its sibling under the same brand family is the different specifications. For instance, the major difference between the Asus Eee PC 701 and the Asus Eee PC 1000 is the display size (7” versus 10”). You could also add the processors (Celeron versus Atom) and so on.

That would mean that the best Asus netbook for you would be the Asus Eee PC 1000 if you would rather have a 10” large display than a rather small 7”. But you may also see that the difference in prices is something major and that you do not want to spend an extra $300 for a screen display difference because after all, you can live with the 7”.

So what is the best netbook notebook computer? It’s the one that suits all your needs and that has the price that you like. If you’re still undecided, you can just go with the best sellers. For that, you can head over to your fave retailer and ask her or him which model people seem to like the most and go with the choice of the majority. 

After all, if everyone is buying a certain unit, it must be the best netbook otherwise it would be gathering dust!

The first question that you should ask yourself in order to get the best notebook is why you need a mini-notebook in the first place.

Do you need to browse the Internet and check your email during your daily long commute between work (or school) and home (I know of people who take an hour and a half to get to work by train and need a way to kill time)? Do you simply need a new computer? Are you opting for netbooks because they’re the cheapest types of notebooks? Are you buying it as a gift for your teenage daughter or son who needs to be as cool as the other kids?

I could go on about the questions to ask yourself to determine the best netbook notebook but hopefully you get the point. If you’re know what you want and why you want it, selecting the right brand and model will be a piece of cake.

For instance, if money is no issue and in your world image is everything, you could go all out and get the Apple MacBook Air. On the other hand, if you just need a computer for the cottage to check emails, browse the web and edit documents on an infrequent basis, then you can go for the cheapest netbook on the market. For example, at the time of this writing, the cheapest netbook at Amazon.com is the Asus Eee PC 4G that goes for US$ 256.

At $256 is that a steal or what (assuming you're rather comfy with Linux!)?

Most people that I speak to who are looking at buying the best netbook usually tell me that they want to check email, surf the net, work on documents, transfer some music to and from their iPods via iTunes and watch the odd Grey’s Anatomy “acquired” from various download means.

That’s the average computer user and you probably are one of them.

Now it’s really all about your budget and how much you’re willing to dish out to buy a netbook notebook. My advice is to settle with the best selling brands and models. That’s because the pricing is better but also the more people use a given netbook, the more accessories there will be for it on the market and the more help you are going to find should something go wrong.

You can imagine that if you buy a netbook that’s only owned by a hundred people on earth, you will be in a predicament should you need some help as opposed to the person who purchased a netbook that has be sold to millions.

The reliable brands of netbooks that you should first look into are: Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, HP, MSI, Samsung and of course Apple. From there, you can choose the models that you fancy the most or that you can afford.

If money is really an issue and you’re a budget, there are still many ways to buy the best netbook for really cheap. I will write about that in future articles but for now, know that you could even get the MacBook Air, a ridiculously high priced notebook in my opinion, for a really low price if you follow the tips that I will share with you in the future.

For now though, figure out what is that you need and what you want and you will have accomplished the first step in getting the best netbook computer for you. The next step is to figure out the brands and models of the various notebooks.

    If you have fingers of an ogre, just forget about it!*

It may seem odd that a site that’s totally pro-netbooks would write an article on reasons why to stay away from netbook computers and avoid buying them at all costs. But in the spirit of bi-partisanship with the pro-laptop computer movement, I have to admit that mini-notebooks are not for everyone.

Here is why buying a netbook notebook may not necessarily the best option for you.

A netbook may not be you if you what I would call a power computer user.

If you’re into video production, gaming, music production or any computing tasks that require great processing power, a large and quality display and a full size keyboard and you opt for a netbook purchase, your life will be hell and that’s almost a guarantee.

Although subnotebooks claim to have the same features as laptops but in miniature version, they still will not be useful if you need to edit a video sequence that require a big screen or run music in the background.

Netbooks are not for power hungry computer users. It’s for those of us with basic computer usage such as web browsing, music listening, email messaging and Word document editing.

But if you are a creative computer user, you probably knew this before I even jotted down the first line of this article. But if you’re a novice to computers and a netbook would be your first purchase, beware! For instance, if you are a student and have just enrolled in sound engineering, know that your netbook will be no good to you if you are given an assignment. If you have a desktop at home or a laptop, you will be fine of course but don’t bet on the netbook notebook!

Like I wrote in the article entitled 7 Good Reasons to Buy a Netbook over a Laptop Computer, Business Week said that “The devices tend to feature cheaper processors, graphics chips, and displays, and they use less memory and older software”. If your computing usage requires you to have the most updated technology and software, stay away from netbooks at least from the current generations. I read that manufacturers are stepping up and doing a little bit of upgrades but that also means that the final price will be upgraded to the point where you may as well buy a full size laptop.

If you’re a writer and dream of sitting at the beach and write your novel, you better have a good pair of glasses and small fingers because they will come in handy. It’s one thing to write a 50 words email to a friend from a netbook but it’s a whole other game trying to do the same thing but the goal of writing a 50 000 words novel!

You will make yourself go crazy and those around you so, don’t do it!

In what other situations would I advocate against buying netbooks? Nothing else comes to mind at this moment. Please feel free to chime in by using the comments box below.

So to summarize, if you’re more than a casual computer user stay away from netbooks. If you have the money, you can use your laptop for those serious tasks and the netbook for the moments when you’re mobile and need to do casual stuff such as movie watching or check out what your friends have been up to by checking out their Facebook photos.

*Photo courtesy: Alex Cheek

Just in case, you need to justify it to yourself or your better half, here are more than a few reasons why you’re better off choosing a netbook notebook over a laptop computer.

1) Lightweight

If you’re on the move a lot like a college or university student and you have to haul around a normal laptop, you know how that feels. Even if you carry around a 13” laptop computer, eventually your poor shoulder gets to the point where it begs for mercy. It’s amazing how much difference a few pounds or kilos can make.

For instance a Dell Inspiron 13 laptop computer that’s a so-called slim and light notebook weighs around 4.9lbs (2.2Kg) and that’s before you’ve even started adding some customized features. A Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook measures 2.28lbs (1.03Kg) however. I don’t know about you but 2 pounds (or one kilo) less to carry around is a key benefit especially if you get to still have a fully functioning computer that does what you usually do.

2) Size

Again, if you’re a student and your laptop usually has to fight for space with your books, lunch box and other content that you have to carry around all day, the netbook computer is godsend because no more do you need to look as if you were going hiking with your huge backpack and now you can fit more stuff in your bag or even better, get a decent looking backpack or messenger bag that can be small and thus chic and stylish because the size of your computer has now become a non-issue.

If you’re style conscious like me, you know that most computer bags are just plain ugly and they scream “geek!”. But now, you can have a simple bag or purse that does not have to be huge and you can simply throw in your new netbook. Hey you could even keep in your huge Canada Goose winter jacket pockets like I saw one guy do one day!

3) Price

For 300 US dollars, you can land yourself a superb netbook. And the prices keep dropping as more manufacturers jump in as they realize that the netbooks are no fad and that they’re actually doing to laptops what laptops did to desktops: replace them.

While you will also find that some netbooks are going up in price due to some manufacturers adding more features that are not really that necessary for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email messaging or document editing (actually the more features they add, the heavier and battery hungry these netbooks become), a netbook is way cheaper than a laptop.

Why are netbooks cheaper? According to a Business Week article, “The devices tend to feature cheaper processors, graphics chips, and displays, and they use less memory and older software” (the operating system is also cheaper when not free). As a result, the savings are passed on to us the consumers.

Again, if you’re a student and you’ve had your expensive shiny Sony laptop stolen, you know how it felt knowing that you had lost $1500 in cash. But if your netbook had to be jacked, the grief would be less deep as you could simply go to the bank machine and makes a withdrawal to replace your stolen baby. As a parent with clumsy children or partner, you can now be more at ease knowing that if they break the netbook, replacement costs will be less of a shocker!

Did I mention the current economic climate? With less money to flash around, what better way to save money on computers and yet be fully productive than buying a good netbook?

4) Battery Life

What’s the most annoying pain with laptops? I’d say battery life. Even if now they can go up to two hours (which is a lie because to accomplish that, the laptop computer has to be on but pretty inactive which defeats the purpose but anyway…), it’s still is not enough. What flight takes two hours? In such flights you don’t even need a laptop as by the time you take off, you have to land right away.

Netbooks last longer because they are small (the display requires less energy), the processing power is low and they have limited accessories and components that usually suck all the juice (no drives). Some even have flash hard drives, which chow less power than traditional hard drives. If you really know why your iPod lasts longer the flash drive feature is one main reason.

Admittedly, we’re still far away from an all day notebook but if a computer is to get there soon, it will be a netbook because so far, it has improved in helping us stay productive (depending on your definition!) for longer.

5) Popularity

“Users are expected to purchase 11 million netbooks this year (2008), from 182,000 in 2007, according to market researcher IDC” writes Business Week.

What do you care?

In late 2007 when the first netbook came to life, as a consumer you would have been gambling on a category that may have not lasted for long and you would have been stuck with a computer that you’d struggle to get repaired if anything went south.

But now, netbooks are catching on like wildfire. Walk around any campus or any public area that has WiFi and the number of Asus, Acer, HP Mini, Dell Mini, MSI Wind netbooks that you will see will mesmerize you. You see people from all walks of life typing away without a single concern for the small keyboards or small batteries.

Why is popularity of netbooks a plus? Because as the netbook era marches in with great force, cool accessories such as bags, cases will be marketed but also website designers will start creating versions that are optimized for netbook notebooks just like they are doing the same with the iPods and iPhones. Also, more support will be widely available from users (who will have several issues and will have found solutions) and vendors.

Need I carry on with the many reasons why you should buy a netbook computer over a laptop? Here’s a last one:

6) Design

I don’t know about you but I care greatly for design. For those who are stuck in the PC world, we usually have to contend with dull looking beige, grey, or black laptops. I don’t what happened with manufacturers but they really decided to go all out with netbooks and unleash their creativity.

While it seems that some lost the plot (I shall not drop names out of politeness), some are really doing a great job of unleashing mini-notebook cuties. Let’s mention the Dell Inspiron 9 that’s rather cute. The MSI Wind and the Asus Eee PC 90 (weird names, I bet a geek came up with such names) all white which can be cool with those who are usually turned off by gray electronic products. The Macbook Air of course is the king but with the price tag, it’s out of the reach unless the recession is the least of your financial concerns.

If you have spare cash and are a Mac user, this your ultimate choice

 What? You sill are not sold onto purchasing netbooks? How about this:

7) Great Gifts

Netbooks make the most inexpensive but perfect gifts. No one will ever say that you bought him or her a netbook because you were to cheap to buy them a full size laptop. Even if the ungrateful person pulled that one out, you could counter with saying that the real reason you bought them the netbook is that it’s lighter, lasts longer, smaller, cuter and above all in as opposed to laptops that are on their way out. Like the good politician that you are, you’d yup up “we’re in the netbook era baby!”. Now, what comeback would the recipient of the gift pull out to that? Nothing but sheer gratefulness, my friend.

So there you are your 7 reasons to buy a netbook notebook today (right now actually) over a laptop. Whether it’s your only computer or if you already have a notebook that you will now use as a desktop, netbooks are the perfect companions for those who are always on the move who require a light and small solution that does not suck a lot of battery juice and above all, that’s easy on the bank account.

Before you start reaching for your credit card though, we’d be doing wrong if we did not present the other side of the coin. See The Case Against Buying Netbooks for details.