Get an Acer Aspire One Netbook for $309, shipped
Though not quite as cheap as the Asus Eee PC from a couple weeks ago, the Acer Aspire One is one of the top-rated Netbooks (there's a contradiction in terms), and you can get it for just $309 shipped--no rebates required. Hey, they gotta do something to unload these lemons, right?
I kid, I kid. While I still don't see the appeal of a PC with a tiny screen, tiny keyboard, tiny amount of storage, mediocre battery life, and limited video-playback capabilities, at least the prices are starting to get more attractive.
This particular model comes with an Intel Atom processor, 8.9-inch screen, 8GB solid-state drive, built-in Webcam, 5-in-1 media reader, and 512MB of RAM. It runs on the Linpus Linux Lite OS and includes a three-cell battery, which Acer says is good for up to three hours. CNET got 2 hours and 14 minutes in its battery-drain test and awarded the Acer three stars out of five in its review (which called it "the best all-around Netbook we've seen for less than $400").
Obviously the appeal here (and with any netbook) lies in the lightweight design (the Acer weighs all of two pounds) and low price. If you need a secondary PC for around the house or short trips or whatever, here's your chance to score One for $70 less than usual.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
The appeal of a netbook is that you have a slower computer, at a lower price, that's light-weight, easy to transport, and durable.
With a solidstate hard drive the access speeds are amazing. With a solid state drive you don't have to worry about the physical hard disk becoming damaged. 2-3 hour battery life is pathetic. I recommend passing on this deal. Spend the extra cash and get 2-4 times the battery life and much more power.
There are different types of netbooks at different processing power and at different prices. They have tons of pros and cons as well as do many other laptops.
Regards,