10 Must-Have Netbooks, from Super Expensive to Bargain Basement
Here we highlight top-selling netbooks, from the (relatively) high end to the under-$300 range.

HP 2140 Mini-Note Netbook
This is Hewlett-Packard's tough business-class netbook, designed for road warriors who need durability and long battery life (6-cell battery, 7-plus hours).
Cost: $456.99 at Amazon
Screen size: 10.1 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor
RAM: 1GB, expandable to 2GB
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Battery: 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 3 pounds
* HP Says it Will Likely Run Three Versions of Windows 7 on its Netbooks
Image credit: IDG News Service
Samsung NC10 Netbook
The NC10 cool blue netbook is Samsung's general purpose offering with strong battery life (6 cell) and a slightly larger keyboard than most netbooks.
Cost: $434.95 at Amazon
Screen size: 10.2 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Battery: 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.9 pounds
* Samsung Enters Netbook Fray with the NC10
Image credit: IDG News Service
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook
The super-light Dell Inspiron Mini 9 offers the choice between Windows XP Home and Ubuntu Linux. Windows XP will cost you more.
Cost: Ranges from $250 to $400, depending on how machine is customized. (Source: Dell website)
Screen size: 8.9 inches
CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 512MB (Linux) or 1GB (Windows XP)
Storage: 16GB solid state drive
Battery: 4 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux
Weight: 2.3 pounds
* Vodafone to Resell Dell's Netbook
Image credit: Dell.com
The MSI Wind U100-279US Netbook
MSI Wind netbooks usually crack the top 10 best-sellers list. Key features are its light weight and ergonomically designed keyboard, which is just 20 percent smaller than a full-sized laptop keyboard.
Cost: $379.99 at Amazon
Screen size: 10 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 1GB, 2GB maximum
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Battery: 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.6 pounds
* Hands on with MSI's Wind Low-Cost Laptop
Image credit: IDG News Service
Asus Eee PC 1000HA Netbook
Asus' sturdy line of Eee PCs were the first netbooks out of the gate and remain the most popular. This 1000HA model is best known for its high-resolution screen and seven hours of battery life.
Cost: $349.99 at Amazon
Screen size: 10 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Battery: 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 3.19 pounds
* Asustek to Unveil $200 Eee PC Netbook Next Year
Image credit: IDG News Service
Lenovo Ideapad S10 Netbook
The Ideapad S10 is Lenovo's recent entry into netbooks. The standout feature of this glossy white netbook is a touchpad that supports multi-touch gestures through fingertip movements on the touchpad.
Cost: $349.99 at Amazon
Screen size: 10.2 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 160GB hard drive
Battery: 3 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.6 pounds
* Hands on with HP Mini, Lenovo S10, BenQ U101
Image credit: Lenovo.com
HP Mini 1000 XP Edition Netbook
The Mini 1000 is renowned for its slimness and spacious keyboard, which HP claims is 92 percent the size of a full-size laptop keyboard. Prices of the HP Mini 1000 line range from $279.99 to $699.99.
Cost: $329 at HP.com
Screen size: 8.9 or 10.2 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor
RAM: 512MB or 1GB
Storage: Up to 80GB hard drive or up to 32GB solid state drive
Battery: 3 cell or 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.5 pounds
* Hands on with HP Mini, Lenovo S10, BenQ U101
Image credit: HP.com
Acer Aspire One AOA150-1126 Netbook
The Aspire Ones battle the Asus Eee PCs for the top-selling netbook. This light-as-a-feather netbook boasts nearly six hours of battery life, a stylish look and sharp screen resolution at an affordable price.
Cost: $319 at Amazon
Screen size: 8.9 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270 processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 160GB Hard Drive
Battery: 6 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.2 pounds
* HP and Acer Start Netbook Price War
Image credit: IDG News Service
Asus Eee PC 900HA White Netbook
The 900HA is one of the lower-priced Eee PCs from Asus, mainly because of the smaller screen and shorter battery life. Yet it offers roomy hard drive space and an anti-glare LED-backlit display.
Cost: $293.99 at Amazon
Screen size: 8.9 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 160GB Hard Drive
Battery: 4 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.2 pounds
* Asustek Predicts Eee PC Sales Will Double Next Year
Image credit: Asus.com
Sylvania GNET28001SO Meso Netbook
Sylvania's low-cost Meso netbooks are available in yellow, pink, black and white, and come preloaded with the Linux-based Ubuntu Netbook Remix operating system, with the option to switch to Windows XP Home.
Cost: $269 at Amazon
Screen size: 8.9 inches
CPU: 1.6-GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 1GB
Storage: 80GB Hard Drive
Battery: 4 cell
Operating System: Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP Home
Weight: 2.2 pounds
* Windows 7 on Netbooks: Does Linux Stand a Chance?
Image credit: Sylvaniacomputers.com
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