Back when I was a kid this time of year a favourite pass-time was checking out the Wishbook, Radio Shack catalogue, and Popular Science’s gift guide.
With that spirit in mind, I’ve been asked (as well as a few other Future Shop bloggers) to take a browse through a few sections and offer up thoughts on a few interesting looking items to check out (either in-store or online) for holiday gifts.
Today, I’m going to look at netbooks.
If you’re new to the portable computer scene, Netbooks are NOT to be considered full computers. They can do many things that a Laptop or Desktop can do, but they really shine as portable web surfing and lite-duty computers. Don’t try and do any heavy multi-media work on a netbook, the hardware wasn’t designed for it and the smallish (10 inch) screen size will have you squinting as you’re editing your images or video. On the other hand, Netbooks are great for taking notes in meetings, writing on public transit, connecting to web-resources etc.
There’s three netbooks that caught my attention. They’re all pretty similarly priced and equipped with WiFi networking, WebCam, wired networking, external monitor hookup, external card readers, and Windows 7 Starter edition. They’re priced (between $249 - $400). You can compare all three here.
(1) Pink and powerful!
HP Mini 10.1" Intel Atom N455 Netbook (210-1150CA)
Actually it’s available in other colours too, but this little unit (and others in it’s product line by HP) has been getting pretty good reviews online.
Why I like it:
- Long battery life -- up to 9 hours advertised -- in a six cell battery pack (double the size of the other two Netbooks I’m looking at. Nothing’s worse than having to search for a power plug every few hours.
- Solid keyboard and trackpad -- some of the online reviews have identified this as one of this unit’s best features
- More -- More hard drive space (250GB), Video Ram, and more cardreader types
- Colour - gotta love HP for having the guts to go pink. It makes a statement.
(2) Great value!
HP Mini 10.1" Intel Atom Processor N450 Netbook (110-3000CA)
If you put this unit beside the previous one, you’d not notice much difference. But if price is a significant factor, then the few differences are worth considering:
- Smaller Hard Drive
- Smaller batter pack -- delivering a shorter operating time between charges
- Fewer external card reader slot types
- Slightly wider (2 cm)
(3) Great Experience!
Sony M-Series 10.1" Intel Atom N450 Netbook (VPCM121ADL)
If price is not object and you do want a netbook that approaches laptop performance, then consider looking at this Sony unit.
- Lightest of the three -- 1.18kg
- Integrated BlueTooth for phone, or BlueTooth accessories -- the others don’t have it
- High definition audio
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