If you are wanting to find the best netbook computer then 1 way of hunting them down is to see what’s currently selling. Amazon have a list that’s updated regularly to let you know what the best netbook is to buy. Just looking over the list we see that the Asus Eee range hold 2 of the top 5 spots which is quite impressive. When looking for the best netbook that suits your needs it is important to list exactly what you are looking for. Will you be travelling a lot and be away from a power source? Pick one that has a decent battery life. Will you be carrying a lot of files around like photos and using the netbook as a primary computer? Pick one with decent storage. Are you looking at using the web while out and about? Look for one that has built in 3G connectivity. Here is a comparison of July 2009’s best netbooks and the features that makes them stand out.Asus Eee 1005HA
First on the list is the Asus Eee 1005HA which deservedly takes the top spot by having a huge battery capacity seeing it power the netbook for 10.5 hours between charges. Having this much battery power is perfect for any kind of netbook or laptop as it reduces the need to carry a charger around with you in some cases. Other features include a larger than some 10.1 inch screen as well as a 160GB hard disk allowing for plenty of storage. For these reasons the Asus Eee 1005HA seems to be a fantastic all-rounder.
1005HA Features
* Up to 10.5 Hours of Battery Life and Free Sleeve Case Included
* Intel Atom N280 Processor 1.66GHz
* 1GB DDR2 RAM, 1 x SODIMM Slot, 2GB Max; Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
* 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM) and 10GB Free Eee Storage
* Windows XP Home Operating System, 10.1-inch WSVGA 1024×600 LCD Display
Cost: $369.99
Acer Aspire One
Acer are second on the list with their Aspire One netbook. This netbook doesn’t quite have the battery power of the 1005HA at 6.5 hours, but 6.5 hours is still a fairly good achievement considering some netbooks drop down to just 3 hours of usage. Wireless networking runs at 802.11b and g speeds although there is no n spec on this netbook. The Aspire One runs an Intel Atom running at 1.6GHz and it has a 160GB HDD. The main advantage over the 1005HA listed above is that it costs about $70 less at just $299.99.
Aspire One Features
* The 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor combines performance, power and efficiency to explore the Internet and stay connected while mobile.
* 6-cell battery provides up to 6 1/2 hours of battery life for extended use and productivity when away from an AC outlet.
* Windows XP Home with SP3 gives you the freedom to do what you want at home and at work – simply, reliably and more securely
* 160GB Hard Drive, 1GB RAM, Integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified
* Acer Crystal Eye webcam delivers smooth video streaming and high quality images for your on-line chats and business video conferences
Cost: $299.99
Asus Eee 1000He
The Asus Eee 1000He is another fantastic netbook and again, Asus have managed to somehow get 9.5 hours of battery life out of the 1000HE battery. This netbook has an Intel Atom 280 processor that runs at 1.66GHz. Windows XP is also the choice of OS on this netbook and 160GB of storage is provided. This netbook has Wi-Fi at 802.11n and also Asus provide 10GB of online storage to store your files online for free.
1000HE Features
* XP-Preloaded with 160G large H.D.D. Intel Atom 280 Processor (1.66 GHz, FSB: 667MHz)
* ASUS Super Hybrid Engine and 6 cell high density battery pack allow for longer battery lifespan of up to 9.5 hours.
* High Speed Connectivity Anywhere with Wi-Fi 802.11n (2.4GHz only). Eee Connect for an easy way to connect two or more users through a remote desktop feature for easy troubleshooting.
* Exclusive 10GB Eee Storage with easy accessibility anywhere online
* Free 1 YR Warranty (6 month for battery, 30 day ZBD Guaranteed)
Cost: $374.95
editors note – Number4 in the official list is actually the same as number 1 but in a different coloured case. Rather than repeat number 4 we will list number 5 and 7 in the listings to give a fair view of the top 5. Also number 6 is also a repeat of number 2 but just in another colour. Hence, we will skip number 6 and go to number 7 as this feature isn’t about colours as it is more about what each netbook can do.
Samsung NC10
The Samsing NC10 netbook is an alternative to look at while shoping around. Feature wise it’s as jam packed as the rest of them in this list and for these reasons, it makes it in to the list of best netbooks. A 10.2″ widescreen is included with this netbook that has a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels. It is also powered by an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor and also has a 160GB HDD. It seems that in general, most users prefer the larger hard disks over the smaller SSD drive options. The NC10 netbook runs Windows XP and also has wireless networking built in at 802.11b/g (no draft n again but not really a downer in my opinion). Battery life is quite impressive on this netbook and it manages about 8 hours on a single charge. Again, the Samsung NC10 is a fantastic option and definatly another good allrounder to look at.
NC10 Features
* 10.2″ Wide, 1024 x 600 WSVGA , 220 nits
* Intel Atom processor N270, 1.6 GHz, 533 MHz Front Side Bus, 512 KB Level 2 Cache
* 160 GB, 2.5″ SATA HD, 1 GB DDR2 800 MHz
* Intel 945GSE shared, 802.11 b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 10/100 BaseTX LAN
* 6-Cell Lithium Ion, Genuine Microsoft XP® Home with Service Pack 3, 1.3 Mega Pixel webcam, Kensington Key Lock, 1 year standard parts and labor, 2.8 lbs
Cost: $364.98
Toshiba Mini NB205
As with other netbooks in this top 5 list, the Toshiba Mini NB205 features an Intel Atom N280 processor running at 1.66GHz as well as 1GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. It has a 10.1″ display and a 6 cell battery that can power the device for up to an impressive 9 hours on a single charge. The 10.1 inch screen has a resolution of 1024 x 600. One feature that got my attention is that it claims to have a full sized 85 key keyboard. When choosing a netbook it is also important to remember their smaller keyboards often make it difficult to master typing on. With this netbook having a full size keyboard you shouldn’t run in to those types of problems. Another allrounder and one worth checking out.
NB205 Features
* Intel Atom N280 1.66GHz Processor
* 1GB DDR2 RAM
* 160 GB Hard Drive
* Windows XP Home, 5800 mAh 6-Cell Battery
* 10.1″ Display
Cost: $348.89
Conclusion
All 5 netbooks listed above are classed by Amazon as being the best netbooks around. In my opinion there isn’t much different with any of them so it really comes down to choosing if you want that extra 0.1 of an inch that the NC10 features, or if you want the extra hour or 2 battery life that the Asus 1005HA offers. If those don’t really sway you much then I’d say pick any of them.
We aim to update the netbooks in this post on a monthly basis to keep the information current. If you have any questions or need help then post a comment below.
Technology Update: Daily Updates on newly launched Gadgets, Gizmos, Mobiles, PC's & Laptops, Hacking, Gaming & Emerging Technological Trends.
