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The HP Mini 311

The low-cost, low-power family of laptop computers known as Netbooks have become a tempting choice, offering access to basic PC tasks for a fraction of the price of traditional laptops or desktops. But wading into the Netbook waters is not as simple as it looks. These once-uniform machines have splintered into different subcategories, each offering different features at different prices.

Our handy Netbook guide offers tips and advice for picking the perfect Netbook. Things to keep in mind include how much you want to spend, how long the battery needs to last, and if mobile broadband access is a necessity. Above all, we frequently remind shoppers that Netbooks are a useful addition to your tech collection, as long as one's expectations are kept realistic.

A new wrinkle to consider is that post-October 22, most new Netbooks will include Windows 7 as their operating system. Previously, Windows XP was the default choice for Netbooks, as it worked fairly well with low-power Intel Atom CPUs. Because XP users weren't included in the various free Windows 7 upgrade offers that was a strong incentive for potential buyers to hold off on a Netbook purchase. A small percentage of Netbooks still include various versions of Linux (and that was the only option for the very first Netbooks), and there's considerable interest in upcoming products using Google's Androidand Chromeoperating systems.

Who Needs a Netbook?

The student
Students typically require low prices and portability above all. A laptop that can easily go from class-to-class is key, so many students turn to Netbooks. The downside is that these have small screens, which can make online research and paper writing a chore.

The business traveler
Those who work on the road often need a small, lightweight system that can comfortably open in an airline seat and still run a PowerPoint presentation. At the same time, business users often require access to security and management tools to satisfy the requirements of their IT departments--so a Netbook will likely not be your only PC.

The first-time buyer
If this is your first laptop--or more likely, you're buying a laptop for a parent or grandparent who has never had one before--a Netbook is an inexpensive way to get a digital newcomer introduced to the Internet.

The blogger
Whether you're documenting your afternoons at the local coffee shop or live blogging a news conference, Netbooks are practically required equipment for writers on the go. Keyboards on most Netbooks have evolved to usable sizes, and, while they add significant cost, 3G mobile broadband connections are common.

The Samsung Go N310

Types of Netbooks

Standard Netbooks
The industry has found a natural price floor about $299. For that price, you can expect a basic, if no-frills, Netbook that works fine for Web surfing, e-mail, working on office documents, and maybe some light multimedia playback.

Netbook features tend to be nearly identical across brands, and on sub-$300 models you'll generally find cheaper-feeling construction and cramped keyboards and touch pads compared with premium Netbooks, which can cost $100-$200 more, even though they generally have the same internal components. Key specifications include:

• Intel Atom N270 CPU (higher-end, N280)
• 1GB RAM
• 120GB-160GB HDD
• 10-inch display at 1,024x600 pixels
• Windows XP or Windows 7 Starter
• 802.11g Wi-Fi

High-definition Netbooks
One of the more welcome trends in Netbooks has been the appearance of higher-resolution screens. Typically, 10-inch Netbooks (and 9-inch models before them) had 1,024x600-pixel resolution displays, which could feel cramped when working on Word documents or scrolling through long Web pages. Additionally, many software applications were not optimized for nontraditional resolutions.

With the introduction of 11.6-inch Netbook screens, we're now seeing 1,366x768-pixel screens that provide a much more familiar working environment and more desktop real estate (and can properly display 720p HD video content). We're also seeing this higher resolution migrate to premium 10-inch Netbooks, although that can make text and icons appeal small.

That catch is that most manufacturers are using these high-definition screens to boost prices out of the $299-$399 category. Many high-definition laptops cost $499 or more, although we have seen models available for as little as $399.

3G Netbooks
The earliest Netbooks allowed 3G mobile broadband access only if you hooked up your own external USB modem. Eventually, the idea of getting online anywhere with a Netbook was too good to resist and PC makers such as Dell and HP added built-in mobile broadband options to their systems.

Unfortunately, this typically added $100 to $150 to the cost--not an insignificant amount for a sub-$400 device. Too offset this, some cell phone carriers are offering subsidized Netbook hardware in return for a two-year data plan contract (usually about $60 per month). Examples include AT&T with Nokia's Booklet Netbook and Verizon's deal with HP's Mini 311.

If you know you're going to use a particular system for mobile broadband for the next two years, getting $100-$200 off the initial purchase price is a plus, but, as with smartphones, these two-year $60 per month deals should really net you a free (or at most, $99) system to truly be a great deal.

Multimedia Netbooks
If Netbooks have an Achilles' heel that keeps them from being more universally useful, it's the lack of capability to handle many gaming and video playback chores.

Nvidia's first graphics option for Netbooks, the Ion, is based in part on the integrated GeForce 9400M GPU in Apple's MacBooks. The added graphics power can help Atom-based Netbooks play back HD video smoothly, and even handle some basic gaming.

The Asus Eee PC 1005HA

What to avoid

While the internal components of most Netbooks vary only slightly, there are a few things we advise potential buys to keep an eye out for. These features may not be deal-breakers for you--depending on your needs--but for most people, they should be a clue to look elsewhere.

Intel's Atom Z-series CPUs
Even though they generally have better battery life and similar clock speeds as the more common N-series Atom processors, the Intel Z520 and Z530 CPUs lose just enough performance to make using a Netbook a truly frustrating experience. With little performance headroom to spare already, low-power Netbooks can't afford further compromises to the user experience.

Awkward touch pad buttons
Some Netbooks have touch pad buttons awkwardly pushed to the sides of the touch pad. This makes them harder, but not impossible, to use, and should be generally avoided. Another thing to look out for is a slim rocker bar taking the place of two distinct buttons--go for separate left and right mouse buttons whenever possible.

Tiny solid-state hard drives
The earliest Netbooks came with tiny 16GB or smaller SSD drives. These are great for heat, power consumption, and weight, but they are not so good for installing full operating systems and important applications. You can still find older Netbook hardware on sale with these tiny hard drives, but avoid them. The standard today is a 160GB traditional platter hard drive, which should have plenty of room for apps, videos, photos, and more.

Compromised keyboards
Netbook makers have finally figured out how to squeeze the most keyboard into the least space. Current models are generally easy to use, even for touch typists, but beware cheaper or older models that have shortened shift and control keys, unusual key placement swaps, or are even missing the entire row of Function keys.

Gigantic batteries
With Netbooks, your choices are typically a three-cell or six-cell battery. As a general rule, three-cell batteries will fit flush with the Netbook's body, and provide around three hours of battery life. A six-cell battery will often stick out from the rear of the system, but can last up to six hours.

Some brands, such as Asus, have succeeded in working larger six-cell batteries into their already slim chassis designs, with no noticeable increase in size.

For more on Netbooks

> Check out the latest CNET Netbook and laptop reviews.
> See our favorite current Netbooks.
> Netbook and laptop news and discussion every week on the Digital City podcast.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

The requisite "what's in my gadget bag" feature is a mainstay of consumer electronics coverage these days--we now know what David Pogue (The New York Times), Joshua Topolsky (Engadget editor-in-chief), and Dave Zatz (tech blogger extraordinaire) tote around with them on a daily basis. But I wanted to get a bit more granular. If you want to know which laptop, camera, media player, or phone to buy, there's an app a site for that.

But what about the accessories you need to keep all of those gadgets juiced up and ready for action? Or ways to avoid traveling with three or four proprietary AC chargers stuffed into your bag? That's what I'd like to focus on: some tips that should help anyone who's traveling with multiple portable gadgets, whatever they may be.

First, a few ground rules: ... Read more

Rafe Needleman and Tom Merritt talk tips for fixing your own computers, as well as take live calls from the audience.

A music-oriented home theater speaker system from Dynaudio.

(Credit: Dynaudio)

First thing, determine your system's priorities. Will you watch movies or listen to music? Most folks do one or the other.

Since more home theater speaker buyers watch movies than listen to music, I'll start there.

It's hardly an overstatement to claim movie-oriented home theater systems succeed or fail based on their center channel's performance and sound quality. The center speaker delivers virtually all the dialog and it can, depending on the mix, convey upward of 80 percent of a movie's soundtrack. The center speaker has a big job.

So invest 30 percent of your 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 system budget on the center speaker, the Center Centric HT approach. As always, when it comes to sound quality, size matters. Bigger centers tend to sound better than small ones.

The subwoofer is the next most important player in a home theater sound system. Invest the next 30 percent of your dollars on the sub. The sub is largely responsible for home theater impact and power.

(Credit: Steve Guttenberg)

I recently participated in a Podcast focusing on subwoofer performance with Home Entertainment magazine's Editor-in-Chief Geoff Morrison, Director of (loudspeaker company) Revel Products, Kevin Voecks, and Brent Butterworth, a freelance writer for a number of magazines including Sound & Vision.

Voecks immediately zeroed in on the importance of placement, which is absolutely crucial to getting the best out of any sub. I'd go so far as to say an average sub, perfectly placed and set up, will outperform a great sub that's been carelessly placed and set up. That's because the sub's interaction with room acoustics can play havoc with sound, all too frequently resulting in boomy, uneven bass.

Rafe and Tom share some essential things to know before you take your tech traveling abroad.

HP Photosmart C8180 All-in-One Printer

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Shopping for a budget printer doesn't have to be an exercise in anger-management and self-abasement. Contrary to the stigma, many printers can produce great quality photos and documents without breaking the bank or eating up expensive consumables. Now release your fingers from your hair, put down that club, and check out these tips for getting the best deal for your money.

Before you even start shopping, decide whether you want a laser printer or an inkjet printer. Laser printers use bulky toner cartridges and are typically reserved for home offices that print monochrome text documents and presentations. Businesses also steer toward lasers because of their quick output speeds and reliable text quality. Monochrome lasers like the Samsung ML-2851ND are a good choice for homes that print a large volume of documents, and can be purchased for less than $200.

Inkjet printers are the more versatile choice for color photo printing, Web prints, and creative projects like greeting cards and calendars. They come in a variety of form factors from small and simple personal devices all the way up to fully featured All-in-Ones with scanners, fax machines, and copiers built right into the machine. Of course, the more features you want, the more expensive the printer gets so be sure to make a thorough list beforehand and stick to it. Some of the pricier additions include:

• Auto-document feeder: commonly shortened to ADF, the horizontal input tray lets you scan/fax/copy a stack of papers at once.
• Auto-duplexer: a hardware addition that lets you print on two sides of a single-sheet of paper. Consider this option if you plan to print a lot of pages per month--it could potentially save you money on paper, and it's environmentally responsible!
• Wired/wireless networking: all modern printers use USB to connect to a computer, but many also offer wired and wireless networking at a higher cost.
• Full color/touch-screen LCD: a flashy 6-inch touch-panel LCD screen might look beautiful, but the functionality is extraneous and isn't worth the price jack. If you're on a tight budget, consider a single function inkjet like the HP Officejet 6000 that doesn't have a display and only costs $90.

If you do go for an inkjet, shop around and look for one with separate ink tanks for each color so that you don't need to replace everything when only one color runs dry. This technology used to be relegated to photo printers more than $300, but the prices have fallen and now it's common to see sub-$150 printers like the HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One and the Canon Pixma CMX860 multifunction that feature multiple cartridges. Also, be sure to do a little research to find out if your brand offers high-capacity cartridges. These inks are more expensive but they last longer and will save you money if you're printing a lot of photos.

One final word of advice: don't just think about the sticker price, consider the total cost of ownership. That includes the page yields of the manufacturer's ink and toner, cost of paper including photo and plain, how many pages you'll print per month versus stated duty cycle, and of course, the optional features you might want to add later. Stick to the list you make and buy a machine suitable for your printing needs and you'll be just fine.

Available for just $400, the Energy Take Classic surround speaker system is one of the best home audio deals out there.

(Credit: Energy Speakers)

Home audio is one of those gadget categories where prices can range anywhere from $250 to $25,000. It also has a range of subcategories and mind-boggling terminology. So we thought we'd provide a quick and easy overview for shoppers who are just interested in getting the most for their money--especially at the lower end of the price scale.

First off, identify your audio and video needs. If you've already got a video source you're happy with--a Blu-ray player, game console, or DVD player--then you'll want to go with a component-based home theater package (a receiver/amp plus speakers) or you'll want to put together your own home theater system (an AV receiver plus speaker system). However, if you're starting from scratch--you're ready to start fresh with Blu-ray or a new DVD player--you'll want to consider a Blu-ray home theater system. For 2009, such all-in-one systems start at $500.

Secondly, stick to 5.1 or less. For true surround, you'll need at least a 5.1-channel system (five speakers plus a subwoofer). There are also 6.1 and 7.1 configurations, but they're overkill for anybody but purists. Of course, all those speakers means a lot of cables and placement questions (speaker stands, commandeering bookshelf space, going for wallmounts, and so forth). For a lot of people, it's more trouble than it's worth. There's nothing wrong with opting for a stereo or "virtual surround" speaker configuration. There are several options--everything from a single speakerbar that mounts under the TV to 2.1 or 3.1 configurations. You'll lose the true surround effect, but you'll also ditch the front-to-back wiring. Bottom line: spending your money for two good stereo speakers instead of a so-so surround package is a worthwhile trade-off.

Remember, don't overpay for sound quality you can't hear. Prices for speakers, receivers, and home theater systems can easily spiral into four figures or more. What's the difference between a $500 audio system and one that costs $3,500? For the so-called "golden eared" set, the sonic improvement they'd get from the latter configuration is well worth the premium. For many others, that difference may well be negligible. ... Read more

JVC's Everio MS120 is a decent standard-def camcorder with expandable memory up to 64GB.

There are plenty of devices for capturing video these days, including cell phones, laptops, and digital cameras. But, for the time being at least, you'll get the best results from a dedicated camcorder. Of course, those aren't all created equal either.

The biggest decision you'll have to make before starting your search is whether to go standard definition or high definition. Standard-def camcorders are a cost-effective way to get good video for Web-sharing sites and for viewing on standard-definition TVs, and it's less demanding for playback and editing on computers.

However, you can get a good HD camcorder at a price only $100-$200 more than some SD camcorders. Obviously you may not have that extra cash, but if you're looking toward integrating your movies into a future high-def home theater experience, you'll want to think long and hard before buying a standard-definition camcorder.

Not sure where you fall? Visit our camcorder buying guide so you know what features you'll need to avoid making a disappointing purchase. If you already know what you want from a camcorder, here are some tips for further refining your choices to get the best possible deal.