Form Factor netbooks offer consumers low-cost ultraportable laptop in the market segment where it is assumed that a good laptop should cost between $ 1500 and above. Most of the netbooks in the Russian market, now worth up to $ 500, they are relatively inexpensive to buy one in addition to his full-sized notebook. For the most part they are equipped with a processor Intel Atom, and can successfully solve all the assigned daily tasks. In this review, we compare the most popular models of netbooks, and define the best of them.
What should pay attention
Currently, netbooks are the most portable and mobile notebook on the market. Most models are equipped with the same processor Intel Atom and integrated graphics Intel. The only thing that they really different - this type of device for data storage, display size and battery capacity.
If you plan to store on the netbook your favorite movies and music, you should think about purchasing a model with a conventional hard disk, because the capacity of the disk will be substantially greater than the SSD-drive. In some cases, the SSD-storage capacity of 8GB of data, compared with 120GB of HDD. The next aspect is the choice of screen size, whether it is 8.9 "or 10" resolution is the same. The advantages of 10 "Netbooks may include larger text and images, making it easier to read, moreover, such models often have a keyboard and a larger size. New Dell Mini 12 already has a 12" display and a resolution of WXGA, but is rather Except in the market netbooks. As for the battery, the most frequent netbooks with 3-segment, 4-digit and 6-segment battery.
Attention to the battery
Battery capacity may play a key role in the selection, and depends on the conditions under which you will use the netbook, because some models work a few hours, while others provide up to 6 hours of battery life. In principle, the same model can be equipped with not only a standard battery, but a further increase in capacity. Since MSI Wind and Acer Aspire One equipped with 3-segmented and 6-segment battery that provides 2-3 hours and 5-6 hours of work, and in the amount of up to 9 hours. If you just going to use your netbook at home or somewhere near the power source, it is likely that the size of the battery when choosing not to play a special role. And if your plans include long trips and outdoor recreation with the netbook, it is very desirable that the kit to your notebook battery is accompanied by a large capacity.
How we store information
In addition to differences in the capacity of a SSD-drives and hard drives, there are other features. The most common standard 2.5 "hard disks SATA, which can be easily upgraded or replaced, so to speak" on the fly. "Netbook with SSD-drive is no longer so easy moderniziruesh, but they have also their considerable advantage - they do not sensitive to shocks and consume less power. Thus, if you are not particularly gently treat your laptop or your critical battery life, it is preferable netbook with SSD-drive.
Competition in the market of netbooks
Below is a brief overview of various models of netbooks, which are already sold or in the near term will be available in computer stores and supermarkets electronics. This is not a complete list of all currently available models, but here are the most popular of them. In the review the prices of the model netbooks to the manufacturer, and may differ from those in the Russian market.
ASUS N10
ASUS N10 can be called "corporate" netbook with a top-end specifications that you will not find in conventional models of consumer netbooks. It is equipped with interface HDMI, discrete graphics NVIDIA 9300M, a scanner for fingerprint recognition and a slot for ExpressCard/34. That is N10 includes such features as are necessary for professional use. At a cost of about $ 649 for a modification of a discrete graphics card, and high ultraportativnoystyu with him can only compete laptops like Sony TZ series or TT. If you do not need all of the above characteristics, you can buy the usual 10 "netbook like ASUS Eee PC 1000HA, which would cost $ 300 less.
ASUS Eee PC 1000
10 "Eee PC 1000 is equipped as SSD-drive because HDD, depending on the modification. This allows a more accurate match your needs, whether a greater volume of data storage, or a large resistance. Keyboard reaches 91% of the full-size, and allows almost free typing. There is also a 6-segment battery that is also an unquestionable advantage. The cost of this model is $ 399 for a configuration with Intel Celeron, or $ 349 for Intel Atom 1000HA. 1000HE with the new processor N280 Intel Atom, and a battery to increase capacity and new format of the keyboard is only $ 374.
ASUS Eee PC 900 and Eee PC 901
"Younger brother" of the earlier model 9 "Eee PC 900 and 901 have not as outstanding features, including battery and a smaller capacity. Series 900 comes with both models with the SSD-drives and models from the HDD, but the version with the SSD are more popular. The choice is also available and the operating system Linux or Windows XP Home, depending on your needs and goals. That changed with XP has a 12GB SSD, and changed with Linux 20GB SSD. The entire series of 901 is equipped with only the SSD-drives, and costs $ 379 and an earlier series of 900 - just $ 285.
Acer Aspire One
Acer Aspire One is the most requested model netbook in the search engines. No wonder, because for only $ 299 you can buy a budget model with SSD-drive, or a $ 329 - a model with the top performance and a high-capacity hard drive. This question is particularly relevant in the context of global economic crisis, when everybody is trying to save more prudent to include their income. Given a wide variety of colors, 9 "Acer Aspire One is one of the favorites on the Web.
Dell Mini 9
9 "Dell Mini recently appeared on the notebook market at a very low price of $ 249. It is equipped with a nearly full-sized keyboard, which removed the function keys to increase the free space, which is very comfortable and easy to set. This netbook comes with only the SSD-drives capacity from 4 to 16GB, and the operating system Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux to choose from. At this point Dell Mini 9 is only a 4-segment battery that provides about 3-4 hours of work that can not be called a great figure.
Dell Mini 12
New Dell Mini 12 - the first netbook with high-resolution WXGA 1280x800 pixels and a full-size keyboard. Executed in ultra-thin body, it could compete with the Apple MacBook Air. Given also that this is the 12 "netbook, it is closer to a class of ultraportable, than to a segment of netbooks. With 3-segmented or more 6-segment battery and the new Intel Atom processors with low power consumption, this is one of the best models of netbooks with good technical performance and high portability. The price for the basic model Mini 12 is $ 399 and goes up to $ 600 for a top-end configuration.
HP Mini 1000
HP Mini 1000 - a novelty in the line of netbooks HP, built on the processor Intel Atom, who came to replace the slow processors VIA, previously used in the 2133 Mini-Note, sold in the past year. This model offers any modification of the display size (9 "or 10") and storage devices (SSD or HDD). Mini 1000 is equipped with the same keyboard as the Mini-Note, which proved to be the best keyboard of all presented in netbooks. Starting price for 9 "HP Mini 1000 is $ 299 and $ 399 for the 10" version, and grows depending on the configuration.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10
10 "IdeaPad comes in black, red and white. S10 is equipped with a slot ExpressCard, and lets you connect your PCMCIA card to expand the number of USB ports, Firewire and eSATA. S10 also has a built-in Bluetooth. This is a definite plus of this model, since not every netbook can boasts the possibility to connect additional devices such as mice, do not use the port USB. But the capacity of a 3-segment battery is not enough. Well perhaps it is intended for presentations through a projector. IdeaPad S10 is worth from $ 349 for basic equipment.
MSI Wind U100
This stylish netbook is made in several colors, so to speak for all tastes and color. Deserve good ratings and a keyboard, very nice work. Regarding the price, it too big, especially in the model with 6-segment battery, but the trend is already scheduled to reduce the cost. Although recently the representatives of MSI said that the price has been reduced substantially, up to $ 319 for the basic configuration. They promise that the model with 6-segment battery would cost at retail for about $ 399. By the way in testing Wind U100 was the most "cold" of all netbooks. So if you are the owner of sensitive skin, you should pay attention to this model.
Sony VAIO P
This "Lifestyle PC" (for some reason, manufacturers Sony does not want to be called netbooks), perhaps the most top model of all netbooks designed for professionals who hotyatsya get a model class. Sony VAIO P has a high display resolution 1600 x 768 pixels, built-in 3G modem with a GPS navigator, Windows Vista operating system and optional SSD-drive. Its thickness does not exceed 2 cm and weighs 600g, and it is compared with a 4-segment battery. Of course, the only sad factor is its price, which starts at $ 899 and up to $ 1499 for the version with a 128GB SSD. Well, Sony as always is the standard style, and this comes at a price.
ASUS Eee PC 701
ASUS Eee PC 701 was the world's first netbook, but now he is certainly outdated, and sometimes significantly loses its competitors. It is equipped with only a 7 "display, Intel Celeron processor and a small SSD-drive, and now seems more a toy than a full-fledged netbook. While other models can bring to their display, processor and storage devices, 701 can offer a low cost . So some stores, arranging a sale, lower the cost of the Eee PC 701 to $ 200, while it is still a full-fledged portable laptop, which works successfully under the leadership of the operating system Windows XP.
Other Netbooks
Currently on the market before other models netbooks, which are distinguished by their low price. Some models are clones of the better-known models of netbooks, and often have a similar design and equipment.
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