Two years ago no one knew what this netbook craze was all about. Today, they say that the trend towards netbook like laptops (laptops that are standard size aka 13-15″ but with netbook features) will ultimately demise these ultra portable computers that we love so much.

Truth of the matter is that netbooks are just getting started. Most computer users do two things with their laptops: check emails and surf the web. Most times all this is done from an Internet browser. Yes, they do listen to music and work on the odd document file but all those tasks can be handled by a netbook without out it going bezerk.

Add the small size and portability factor coupled with the low prices and you have a winning combination.

If you’re still sitting on the fence, go ahead and buy your netbook. It’s no fad. Happy shopping!

Netbooks are low priced portable computers by definition (see: What is a Netbook?). What’s cool is when there’s a good deal on one. This Dell Mini 9 netbook example is a pretty good price. Yes it’s a refurb but you remembered what I wrote about refurbished netbooks right? Don’t just sit there! Hurry along and see whether you can score the deal or not!

The trendy for luxury netbooks continues. This time it’s Dell with the Adamo netbook that was launched today at the CES 2009. There’s not much detail yet but all is known is that it’s ultra thin, 10″, has GPS and will probably be more expensive than the average netbook given that’s it’s a premium product. More details as Netbook Era gets them so stay tuned by subscribing to the RSS feed.

See: Dell shows ultra-thin laptop and 10-inch netbook at CES

This deal is actually appealing if you were already considering buying a Dell computer. The Mini netbook can be a mobile unit or a cool present to a loved one. For more, see: Dell Jumps into the $99 Netbook Game, Too (Sort Of)

"Netbooks" by Dell (from left), Asus, Acer, MSI and Lenovo. (By Rob Pegoraro -- The Washington Post)

This cool pic was taken from a Washing Post article on netbooks. It answers two questions: How little laptop is enough? And how few dollars will it cost you? 

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!

“Dell is offering the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook for only $299; the normal price was $349 which means you will get an instant saving of $50.” - Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook

I was eventually going to write fully about this issue (I have mentioned it quickly in a previous article that I cannot locate) but now I don’t have to because the very nice people at Life Hacker Australia did a splendid job

“Dell and Vodafone have joined forces to sell the Inspiron Mini netbook like a phone, allowing you to purchase a 3G broadband-equipped device for a fixed monthly fee over 24 months. Is the future of computer purchasing, or just a good way of wasting money?”

Read more on: Is Paying On A Contract The Best Way To Get A 3G Netbook?

“Dell’s latest netbook blurs the line between these pint-sized portable PCs and their larger, more conventional cousins. The Inspiron Mini 12 has most of what we like about netbooks: a modest price tag (AU$749), light weight (1.2 kilograms) and most noticeably, a slim sylph-like profile that tapers from 2.5 centimetres to 1.8 centimetres at its thinnest.” - Review: Inspiron Mini 12

It’s amazing how the Australian media is on the $0 Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook case. Everyone is on the ball: Sydney Morning Herald, Smart House, The Australian, iTWire, Gizmodo Australia and many more that I don’t have the time to list.

In all fairness, it’s a world’s first so it’s normal that this concept is getting a lot of media attention. I just wonder how it’s going to play out. What happens if the user wants to upgrade after one year (the contract is two years if I remember correctly)?

Anyway, we’ll wait and see.

“Dell netbooks to be sold like mobile phone: this 3G netbook bundle offers the Inspiron Mini 9 at $0 upfront with 5GB of data for $70 (Australian dollars) per month over a two-year contract.” - SCOOP! Dell netbook to be sold for $0 like mobile phone

It was bound to happen. This marketing experiment conducted Down Under will surely be rolled out all over the world if it proves to be successful. So netbooks have gone the way of mobile phones making it hard on laptops (See:What’s The Future Like for Netbooks?) and surely making smartphone makers rather nervous.

Update 28/11/2009: A day later, it seems that a few operators may be joining the fray: Plus in Poland and Orange in Portugal so far.

“Some good and some bad news for fans of Dell’s netbook, the Mini 9 . We’ve just been told that for now there are no plans to introduce the 32GB SSD option that became available in Japan earlier this month and hit the States yesterday. But, just to ensure European customers don’t feel too left out, Dell will be throwing us the sweetener of a white colour option to add to the current black offering.” - Exclusive: White Dell Mini 9 is Europe bound

Update: the link to the above news report is broken.

And then he goes on to do mini-reviews of the Acer Aspire One, Dell Mini 9, MSI Wind U100 and the Asus Eee 1000H (Mr Mossberg calls ASUS “the king of netbooks“) netbooks.

“Just a size comparison between a Dell Inspiron 700M 12.1 inch subnotebook and the (ASUS) Eee PC 1000H, Medion Akoya Mini E1210 [Jay's note: a rebadged MSI WInd really], HP 2133 Mini-Note, Acer Aspire One, [ASUS] Eee PC 900 and [ASUS] Eee PC 701 netbooks”

Consider this competition by Vodafone UK in which you stand a chance to win a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook which is not a bad mininotebook! I assume that you have to be in the UK of course but rest assured that you will see competitions, offers and other sorts of promotions featuring free netbooks.

“According to Toshiba, the netbook is targeted at schoolchildren, senior citizens, and mobile workers who “do not require the processor power or range of functions of a full-sized laptop”.”

Are netbooks getting the attention of all computer makers or what?

Although I am pretty happy for the shopper about all these new netbooks surfacing, I fear that ultimately, too much choice will become confusing because these mini-laptops seem to have no difference except for the brand name. (What is the Best Netbook Brand? Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, HP, MSI, Samsung?)

Oh well, the fact that the netbook retailers will end up waging a price war to sell them is only good for the consumer right?

Thanks for Trusted Reviews for the photo. You should check out more pics and their thorough review of of the Toshiba Satellite NB100.

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!