Netbook Review – Acer, Asus Netbook Review

Almost all the major (and minor) netbook makers have released or are in the process of releasing an updated version of their netbooks this January. That’s because they’re trying to integrate the Pine Trail processor from Atom which promises better battery life. This has caused a slew of new releases as well as a shakeup in the market. We take a look at all the major netbook brands out there and what their best offerings are taking into account specs and pricing.

Acer Pick

Acer haven’t released a slew of netbooks, just one really solid one – the Aspire One 532h.

The Acer is a goodlooking netbook with standard netbook specifications and its major selling point is its excellent price. This 10.1 inch machine is on offer for $299 with following specs.

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 8 hour battery life

Samsung Pick

They’ve released a rugged business oriented netbook with such features as a spill-resistant keyboard, anti-shock hard drive, rubberized lid, matte display and multitouch trackpad. This one is the Samsung NB30 and its just showed up on Newegg for $370.

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 7 hour battery life

ASUS Pick

ASUS released the updated model to their supremely successful 1005HA which is called the 1005PE. This comes in two versions with different battery lives. The biggest draw with this model is the fact that lasts upto two work days on its 6-cell battery. Available for $368.59

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 250GB SATA HDD + 500 GB Eee web Storage
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 14 hour battery life

Toshiba Pick

One of the Toshiba releases was the NB305 and this is one of our favorite new netbooks, featuring a solid chassis and great keyboard. The specs otherwise are quite standard but its all the little things about the NB305 that make it standout. Its available from $349 onwards.

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 250GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 8 hour battery life

Lenovo Pick

This was a momentous occasion with the ThinkPad netbook – the Lenovo X100e, and it didn’t fail to disappoint.

The ThinkPad X100e features impressive specifications, a sleek, sturdy design and Lenovo business features at a starting price of $449.

Quick Specs:

• 1.6GHz AMD Athlon MV-40 Processor, ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics
• 1GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Premium, 4 hour battery life

MSI Pick

The U135, MSI’s Pineview netbook is a quite a compact little machine. MSI aren’t too flashy, but make solid and inexpensive netbooks and the MSI U135 continues that trend. This one is available for $325 and features a solid chassis fitted with standard netbook specs.

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 7 hour battery life

HP Pick

The new Mini 210 from HP is signified by HP’s classic design and functionality. It’s available in a variety of options like colors, hi-def, and hard disk sizes starting from $299.99

Quick Specs:

• 1.66GHz Intel N450 Processor, IGMA 3150 Graphics
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 160GB SATA HDD
• Windows 7 Home Starter, 9 hour battery life

This is a list-in-progress, as we’re still in the process of reviewing models and there are netbooks that have been announced but not released. One that we’re particularly looking forward to is the LG X300 which features supermodel-slim looks.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad U1 Hybrid tablet-netbook is another one to look out for with its stellar and innovative design.

Filed under: netbook lists