Netbook Reviews : Best Price : Best Buy

Product Description

The Internet is at the center of modern life keeping you connected and informed through email, IMs, RSS feeds, social networking sites and Search. Keeping up often requires time shifting with companion devices like netbooks. Powered by energy-efficient Intel Atom processors, the HP Mini 110 is optimized for Web access and can handle standard productivity apps – but is light enough to carry everywhere at just 2.33 lbs. Its LED anti-glare display reduces reflection that can distract from the visual experience, especially when used outside. The 92% of full-size keyboard enables much more efficient and comfortable use than texting (or typing on smartphone keyboards) for most. Windows 7 makes locating and connecting to hotspots easier and faster than ever. The HP Mini 110 is the perfect device for staying productive, informed and in touch.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1108 in Personal Computers
• Color: Pink
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: VM139UA#ABA
• Dimensions: 5.05 pounds
• CPU: Intel Atom N270 1.6 GHz
• Memory: 1GB SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 1
• Display size: 10.1

Features

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor (512 KB L2 Cache, 533 MHz FSB)
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM (1 Dimm), Max supported 2 GB
• 250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive; Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (shared) with up to 128MB total available graphics memory
• 10.1” Diagonal WSVGA LED Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1024 x 600)
• Genuine Windows 7 Starter, *Up to 8 Hours of Battery Life
• 10.1” Diagonal WSVGA LED Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1024 x 600);
• 250GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 (shared) with up to 128MB total available graphics memory

Customer Reviews

Awesome Netbook!
Small and compact, fits perfectly in my book bag and weighs less than 3lbs. The battery life that I have experienced has been awesome, mine came with a 6-cell battery so I am looking at around 8 hours of battery life, but I haven’t timed nor tested this. I read another comment that was posted regarding the size of the netbook with the 6-cell battery in place. I agree that the pictures do not illustrate this, however, we’re talking an extra inch…maybe…in height on the backside. A plus to this extra inch is that the netbook now tilts forward which makes it easier for typing, kind of like the little “stilts” underneath a desktop keyboard. FYI, with the 6-cell battery in place it still fits in my caselogic 10.3in case/sleeve that I bought for it.

I have had my netbook for about a week now and I am really enjoying it. It gives me everything I need for school and now I don’t have to move around a cumbersome laptop, not to mention the battery life is about 2.5 times longer than most laptops.

Perfect for taking notes in class, working through excel, viewing PowerPoint, and checking email. I plan on putting it in the kitchen when I am done with grad school so my wife and I can store recipes or anything else we may need. With the wireless hook up and the compact size for $350 this netbook is a great addition to your home network.

One thing to remember, most netbooks (if not all) do not have CD/DVD Drives, so loading software such as MS Office will require you to purchase an external Disc Drive, about $100, or you will have to borrow a friend’s to load your software. The other option is downloading the desired software program off of the internet and loading the software that way.

*UPDATE* I’ve had my netbook for a few weeks now and it has proven to be one of the best electronic purchases I have ever made. The ability to type and organize my notes while in class is amazing, I will never go back to taking notes by hand. Also, the independent operating system that you can access without booting up the full windows 7 is phenomenal. It allows me to turn on my computer and be up in running in less than 8 seconds. I can access music, email, pictures, skype, chat, and the internet all from this quick boot-up feature. I simply can’t say enough good about this netbook. Pure and simple – A Great Buy!

Nobody Mentions One of the Best Features
This computer comes with a built-in instant operating system (IOS) that is independent of Windows. You can start the computer and quickly bring up a simplified web browser and email tool. The WI-FI capable IOS launches quickly so email or favorite web sites are easy to check. For more operating features and printing, Windows can be launched with the usual longer boot-up time.

The IOS is mentioned briefly in HP’s official product specs, but I think they could make a strong case for the value of it.

I did not know the IOS existed when I bought this, but now I find it to be my favorite feature of the machine.

My review would be five star if the operating system were a full Windows 7 instead of the somewhat crippled starter edition.

Battery Life LONGER than stated in description!
1st I want to say I love this netbook. Description says up to 3.75 hrs battery life??? If you go to HP website the battery life is up to 8 hrs(without wireless on). So far I have gotten 5 hrs of constant use with wireless on, brightest screen display and running multiple programs, before having to recharge battery.

Now as for battery size, pics are deceiving as is shown without battery. You can see exactly what it looks like with this battery attached if you look at the customer pics for the HP Mini 110-1030NR on this site. I happen to like the way this battery acts as a foot on the back for 2 reasons: more comfortable angle for typing and allows air circulation under the netbook so it doesn’t get so hot. But, if you need it to be completely flat for carrying, then this may not work for you. Fits just fine in my purse with battery, so works for me.

As for performance, I have had it for 1 week and so far am extremely impressed. The Windows 7 starter program works fine, but I opted to upgrade to the Home edition, which I love(was only $79 to upgrade). Windows 7 runs perfectly and has a lot of cool new features and is definetely the best Windows OS so far. I also appreciated that the media card reader will take my XD cards, as a lot do not. I have added a wireless laser mouse and am going to upgrade the memory to 2gb. By far, my favorite thing is the portability of this fully functioning computer. I am so excited about Amazon’s Kindle for PC program coming out next month, which will allow my netbook to be a book reader also.

Couldn’t be happier unless anyone can tell me how to keep my teenage daughter away from it!!! LOL

Product Description

Our affordable, super-compact 10.1-inch diagonal Toshiba mini NB205 is a stylish companion PC that raises the bar when it comes to portability. It’s also the first mini notebook that lets you enjoy all the benefits of today’s fast-moving digital world, putting you in touch with your favorite people, sites, networks and digital media in ways and places you never imagined. Though small enough to throw in a purse or bag, it’s designed with smart features like a full-sized keyboard and touchpad, long battery life, USB Sleep-and-Charge ports and a hard drive impact sensor that protects your data. So it picks up where smart phones leave off and makes many of today’s netbooks seem like a waste of time. What’s more, to take the worry out of taking it along, the Toshiba mini NB205 also comes with international limited warranty coverage, plus our award-winning service and support. NOTE: All Toshiba Netbooks (no matter the model) are packaged with the “NB200″ series model# on the outside of box.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129 in Personal Computers
• Color: Posh Pink
• Brand: Toshiba
• Model: PLL23U-00T01C
• Dimensions: 1.27″ h x 10.40″ w x 7.60″ l, 2.93 pounds
• CPU: Intel Atom N280 1.66 GHz
• Memory: 1GB SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 160GB
• Processors: 1
• Battery type: Lithium Ion
• Display size: 10.1

Features

• 1.66GHz Intel N280 Atom Processor
• 1GB DDR2 533MHz Memory
• 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, Integrated Wi-Fi
• 10.1″ LED Backlit Display, 1024×600 native resolution (WSVGA)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Starter (32 bit), *9 Hours of Battery Life

Customer Reviews

A great choice
I looked at netbooks for about 2 months, comparing all of the various features. Then I went on the road to see them in person and put my hands on the keyboard. I ended up choosing the Toshiba NB205-N325 because it met all my criteria (Windows 7, upgradable RAM, great battery life, and overall quality construction) and because it has the best keyboard for my hands. The chicklet keys are great and the sub-sized keyboard only slows me down a little from a full-sized version.

Toshiba hit a home run with this model. It gets 5 stars from me.

Fantastic netbook!
Speedy (Win 7 boots faster than Vista does on my much more powerful laptop), amazing battery life (I’ve eked out more than the 9 hours on the label), light and a pleasure to use. The full-sized keyboard makes typing easy and with 3 USB ports, if you need peripherals, you’re covered. The keyboard is a little squishy which takes a moment to get used to and I wish there was more than just a VGA port for video options, but overall as long as you’re not trying to stream full-screen 1080 resolution movies, you’ll find nothing to complain about.

I bought a Crucial CT25664AC667 2GB memory stick to improve multitasking and dual boot with Ubuntu Netbook Remix Karmic, which works out of the box for everything except sound (and the fix for that is in the pipeline). Personally, and I’m surprised to say this, I prefer Win 7 Starter. Everything just works flawlessly on this little netbook and I can’t find anything that really disappoints me.

Very Happy with Toshiba Netbook
I have had my Toshiba N205-N325BL for a week. I had never used a laptop before so the touch pad took some getting used to. I have since purchased a mouse and external DVD to use with it. The user manual is a file on the internal disk so learning how to find my way around the laptop and Windows 7 was a challenge but I doubt if any computers come with a hard copy user manual anymore. I called Qwest to get help configuring my DSL modem for wireless and they even helped me with the laptop. It only took a few minutes to get it all working. I have had no problem with the netbook and am very happy with my purchase. I had considered the ASUS for a long time but the negative customer reviews regarding the AC adapter/charger and their customer service convinced me the Toshiba was a better choice. I don’t think it’s fair to give the Toshiba a bad review based on Windows 7 Starter. Toshiba doesn’t make Windows and all the netbooks with Windows 7 Starter will have the same restrictions. If you want all the bells and whistles of a full sized laptop then buy a laptop and not a netbook.

Update after 2 months and using it on vacation for 3 weeks. My only complaint is the audio volume is poor.