Latest Netbooks roundup

With no sign of abatement in sight, recession-addled consumers continue to flock towards the small, low-cost, low-power laptops called Netbooks. According to IDC, Netbooks went from essentially zero to a full 8 percent of the portable computing market in 2008, making this a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy economy for PC makers.

Typically, a Netbook means a 10-inch display, Intel's Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP, and a 160GB hard drive--but those lines are clearly beginning to blur. Some of the Netbooks in this roundup include new CPUs from AMD and Via, or larger displays (that some would say disqualifies them from being Netbooks at all--a position we can't say we fully disagree with).

And beyond these current models, we have several potentially interesting new Netbooks on the horizon, including Dell's Mini 10v, which intends to bludgeon the competition with a $299 starting price; and Asus' Eee PC 1008HA, which reinvents that popular line with a slim, upscale design.

See our reviews of all the latest Netbooks after the break.

Samsung N120
Part of Samsung's second generation of Netbooks, the N120 offers a generous keyboard and some unexpected audio power.

Samsung N110
Samsung's second-generation Netbook, the N110, offers extended life without adding too much battery bulk.

HP Pavilion dv2
HP's slick-looking 12-inch Pavilion dv2 carves out a niche between entry-level Netbooks and expensive ultraportables.

Samsung NC20
The 12-inch Samsung NC20 holds its own in the first Netbook showdown between Via's new Nano CPU and Intel's popular Atom.

HP Mini 1000 Mi Edition
HP has added a Linux-based OS to its popular Mini 1000 Netbook's Mi edition, dressed up with a glossy, sexy front-end, but many users will still want the flexibility and familiarity of Windows.

Want more details? We've also got these systems side by side in a comparison chart here.

Latest Netbooks Roundup

[queticomn]

Its ok o mention some netbooks have theVIA C7®-M ULV 1.6ghrz.processor from from VIA Technologies. I'm sure intel will not mind. Its ok to mention some netbooks come with SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 operating. I'm sure ubuntu will not mind.

Meh..

[Dan_Ackerman]

In the list of five systems above, there's one system with Via's new Nano chip, one with AMD's new Athlon Neo, and even one with HP's Linux-based MI interface. Seems pretty balanced to me (especially considering Intel owns 90-plus percent of the Netbook market).

Also, have you ever tried a Netbook with the older C7-M in it?

[reng2005]

Having played with a few Atom-based netbooks, I am not satisfied with their performance. Build quality seems to be an issue as well, as manufacturers cut corners to keep prices low. That's why I have my eye on the HP dv2. Stylish design, solid build quality, and a reasonably fast Neo processor. My only reservation is running Vista, so I'm going to wait for the Windows 7 version later this year.

[nateaa]

I would stay clear of HP notebooks and go for the Toshiba 13.3 with dual core 2/6600 I have it and wouldn't trade it for 3 netbooks! I have had 8 Toshiba Laptops and not one has needed time in the shop. I'm sold on their reliablility.

[queticomn]

hardly balanced, takes a second to mention other manufactures.

meh.

[queticomn]

Also a good news site is a informative site, not reporting on the alternative processors does no one any good regardless of who has a larger market share.

[Dan_Ackerman]

You must have missed this big front-page feature we did on Atom vs. Neo vs. Nano: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10216940-1.html

And while you're clearly a crank, I appreciate the extra pageviews and "engagment time" you offer by repeatedly commenting.

Meh.

[chonnom]

@ Dan

Man, that comment made the whole page viewing thing worth while. Thanks.

And oh yeah, the article wasn't bad either. :-)

[callandor87]

@Dan,

LOL. Way to put that idiot in his place.

[molotov]

Now that the credit cards are all maxed out; the population is finally embracing what they Can afford; a $400.00 computer. The savings rate is sky rocketing! I hope its not too late. SOHO, NYC

[bennywhatever]

I'm curious to see any more less-expensive AMD netbooks hit. I'd love one with the same specs as a $299 netbook (like the dell), but since it's 64bit, be very upgradable in terms of RAM.

This is assuming the AMD netbooks are 64 bit. They are, right?

[Angmarr]

I missed out on my opportunity to get a netbook (they came to the market after i went to college)

[reng2005]

I note Dan's comment in the dv2 review:

"While we're not convinced that laptop shoppers are looking for some middle ground between a traditional Netbook and a cheap mainstream dual-core laptop, the HP Pavilion dv2 at least gets to carve out a niche (for the moment) as the overall-best, inexpensive, 12-inch laptop available."

Well, I'm one laptop shopper who is very interested in this middle ground. I want something very portable and inexpensive. But my poor eyesight rules out the tiny 10" screens with the lousy 1024x600 resolution. And the Atom processor is underpowered.

[deniceels]

Well, generally Atom processor (alongside VIA's C-7) are more geared towards basic computing, to cover the lower end of computing needs (those who doesn't need lotsa power for basic websurfing, emails, word processing and chat).

However, I think, once they have it covered, they'll start moving upwards the hierarchy to tackle the expensive ultra-portables and once these manufacturers learns about the max these processors can go, coupled with the willingness of these users to spend, better powered ones will move in, abeit cheaper.

Both Dell and HP has 12incher variations of netbooks, given HP comes in later, can offer much attractive specs at this point cost-wise. Soon, the rest will start moving in as well.

[deniceels]

If a netbook of 12" can't be called a laptop, then a 17" laptop (which now also being known as desktop-replacement) can't be called a laptop as well as it's very large, heavy, power-hungry.

I feel a netbook is one which is portable, non-graphic-intensive, power-saving laptop which allows one to at least accomplish the basic computing task (eg. net-surfing, office processing, basic audio/video playback). If it's beyond that, then it will be in the categorised within the mainstream laptop line.

That's my take.

[deniceels]

Correction to my previous,

*If a 12" netbook can't be called a netbook*

[queticomn]

terrible journalism...