ASUS N10Jc-A1

Since their inception, netbooks have followed a simple common blueprint with definable characteristics. They generally weigh under 3 pounds, cost less than $500, and cram in basic parts—small battery, integrated graphics, and a conservative feature set. With the ASUS N10Jc-A1 ($650 street), you can throw this blueprint out the window. It's essentially a netbook on steroids, with uncharacteristic features like switching graphics, a standard six-cell battery, and an HDMI port. Though ASUS, departing from its netbook naming convention, left off the "EeePC" (a brand synonymous with netbooks), the N10Jc still has strong ties to the netbook family. Its feature set and long battery life will appeal to small-business users and anyone looking for a little more in a netbook.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $650.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Small Business, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 3.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

ASUS N10Jc-A1

Since their inception, netbooks have followed a simple common blueprint with definable characteristics. They generally weigh under 3 pounds, cost less than $500, and cram in basic parts—small battery, integrated graphics, and a conservative feature set. With the ASUS N10Jc-A1 ($650 street), you can throw this blueprint out the window. It's essentially a netbook on steroids, with uncharacteristic features like switching graphics, a standard six-cell battery, and an HDMI port. Though ASUS, departing from its netbook naming convention, left off the "EeePC" (a brand synonymous with netbooks), the N10Jc still has strong ties to the netbook family. Its feature set and long battery life will appeal to small-business users and anyone looking for a little more in a netbook.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $650.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Small Business, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 3.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

HP Mini 1000

Hewlett-Packard was one of the first companies to join the netbook revolution. In response to ASUS' Eee PC 4G, it quickly launched the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC, which I reviewed this past April. HP's latest netbook, the Mini 1000 ($550 direct), is modeled after the polished look of HP's Pavilion line and includes the Intel Atom platform. More so than HP's first effort, the new Mini 1000 better fits in with current netbook offerings such as the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, the MSI Wind, and Acer Aspire One. Whereas the Mini-note was primarily geared towards grade-schoolers and was pricey ($749 direct), the Mini 1000 will appeal to anyone looking for a solid, totable laptop for light-duty office and Internet tasks.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $550.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 60 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

HP Mini 1000

Hewlett-Packard was one of the first companies to join the netbook revolution. In response to ASUS' Eee PC 4G, it quickly launched the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC, which I reviewed this past April. HP's latest netbook, the Mini 1000 ($550 direct), is modeled after the polished look of HP's Pavilion line and includes the Intel Atom platform. More so than HP's first effort, the new Mini 1000 better fits in with current netbook offerings such as the Lenovo IdeaPad S10, the MSI Wind, and Acer Aspire One. Whereas the Mini-note was primarily geared towards grade-schoolers and was pricey ($749 direct), the Mini 1000 will appeal to anyone looking for a solid, totable laptop for light-duty office and Internet tasks.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $550.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 60 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

MSI Wind U120

The newest version of the MSI Wind is just over 10-inches in length, 7-inches in width and is 1.3-inches thick at its thickest point. Weighing in at around 3 pounds, the U120 is designed for portability without sacrificing performance. The Wind U120 will feature Intel WiMAX Technology or 3.5G Solution (optional), offering users the ability to connect in more places and work online at faster speeds. MSI also included a spacious 160 GB SATA 2.5 inch hard drive, 3 USB ports, a 4-1 card reader and ships the Wind U120 with either standard or retractable mouse for users who prefer not to use the touch pad.

Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI)

http://www.msicomputer.com

• Price as Tested:
• Type: Ultraportable, Value
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.6 lb
• Screen Size: 10 inches
• Screen Size Type: standard
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g, Bluetooth

MSI Wind U120

The newest version of the MSI Wind is just over 10-inches in length, 7-inches in width and is 1.3-inches thick at its thickest point. Weighing in at around 3 pounds, the U120 is designed for portability without sacrificing performance. The Wind U120 will feature Intel WiMAX Technology or 3.5G Solution (optional), offering users the ability to connect in more places and work online at faster speeds. MSI also included a spacious 160 GB SATA 2.5 inch hard drive, 3 USB ports, a 4-1 card reader and ships the Wind U120 with either standard or retractable mouse for users who prefer not to use the touch pad.

Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI)

http://www.msicomputer.com

• Price as Tested:
• Type: Ultraportable, Value
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.6 lb
• Screen Size: 10 inches
• Screen Size Type: standard
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g, Bluetooth

ASUS EeePC 1002HA

The name EeePC doesn't exactly roll off your tongue, but it's the brand most synonymous with oh-so-popular netbooks. The craze for these diminutive laptops all started with the EeePC 4G, which launched about a year ago, and today ASUS has the most netbook variants—at least nine. The ASUS EeePC 1002HA ($500 street) is yet another twist on the pioneer netbook model. At a time when everyone else is going with either white or a colored frame, the 1002HA now sports a more elegant, gunmetal-hued look. And the meager parts that were used for the EeePC 4G—the 4GB SSD drive and Celeron M processor—have now flowered into a 160GB hard drive and an Intel Atom processor. It's easily one of the top choices for a netbook, although the MSI Wind still has the upper hand.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $499.00 List
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.7 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

ASUS EeePC 1002HA

The name EeePC doesn't exactly roll off your tongue, but it's the brand most synonymous with oh-so-popular netbooks. The craze for these diminutive laptops all started with the EeePC 4G, which launched about a year ago, and today ASUS has the most netbook variants—at least nine. The ASUS EeePC 1002HA ($500 street) is yet another twist on the pioneer netbook model. At a time when everyone else is going with either white or a colored frame, the 1002HA now sports a more elegant, gunmetal-hued look. And the meager parts that were used for the EeePC 4G—the 4GB SSD drive and Celeron M processor—have now flowered into a 160GB hard drive and an Intel Atom processor. It's easily one of the top choices for a netbook, although the MSI Wind still has the upper hand.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $499.00 List
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.7 lb
• Screen Size: 10.2 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Gateway MD7801u

It's slightly misleading to call the Gateway MD7801u ($800 street) the budget version of the MC7803u, as they're both priced under $1,000—inexpensive for media center laptops. Their frames are beautifully designed, their features are ample, and their performance is more than satisfactory. The differences are subtle: The MC7803u has more bells and whistles, like a bigger glass screen, an illuminated keyboard, and a 3D graphics card. The MD7801u justified leaving those things out with a $200 lower price, so either one is a good choice.

Gateway Inc

http://www.gateway.com

• Price as Tested: $800.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
• Processor Speed: 2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 6.7 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Gateway MD7801u

It's slightly misleading to call the Gateway MD7801u ($800 street) the budget version of the MC7803u, as they're both priced under $1,000—inexpensive for media center laptops. Their frames are beautifully designed, their features are ample, and their performance is more than satisfactory. The differences are subtle: The MC7803u has more bells and whistles, like a bigger glass screen, an illuminated keyboard, and a 3D graphics card. The MD7801u justified leaving those things out with a $200 lower price, so either one is a good choice.

Gateway Inc

http://www.gateway.com

• Price as Tested: $800.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T6400
• Processor Speed: 2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 6.7 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

HP Mini 1000 Mi

If Ubuntu is as foreign to you as Klingon, you probably found last year's initial crop of Linux-based netbooks far less appealing than their XP counterparts, which were released later by the likes of Acer, HP, and MSI. The open-source operating system may seem intimidating for the uninitiated, but a well-designed Linux build doesn't have to be. Linux offers plenty of advantages as a netbook platform: It requires less memory, taxes your processor less, and brings the cost down, to boot. (The base price for an XP system with the same specs is $20 more.) On a blind test, even the most code-phobic user might mistake HP's custom Ubuntu build for any old Media Center interface. Providing a seamless, user-friendly Linux experience is exactly where the new Mi (Mobile Internet) edition of the HP Mini 1000 ($424.99 direct) excels. Basically, it's the same gorgeous netbook we praised back in October, delivering an environment that's comfortable and familiar to longtime Windows users.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $425.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: HP Mobile Internet (Linux)
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 60 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g

HP Mini 1000 Mi

If Ubuntu is as foreign to you as Klingon, you probably found last year's initial crop of Linux-based netbooks far less appealing than their XP counterparts, which were released later by the likes of Acer, HP, and MSI. The open-source operating system may seem intimidating for the uninitiated, but a well-designed Linux build doesn't have to be. Linux offers plenty of advantages as a netbook platform: It requires less memory, taxes your processor less, and brings the cost down, to boot. (The base price for an XP system with the same specs is $20 more.) On a blind test, even the most code-phobic user might mistake HP's custom Ubuntu build for any old Media Center interface. Providing a seamless, user-friendly Linux experience is exactly where the new Mi (Mobile Internet) edition of the HP Mini 1000 ($424.99 direct) excels. Basically, it's the same gorgeous netbook we praised back in October, delivering an environment that's comfortable and familiar to longtime Windows users.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $425.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: HP Mobile Internet (Linux)
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.5 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 60 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g