A lightweight netbook can ease the load
On a recent trip, my romance with my MacBook Pro hit the skids. When I’m forced to check my rolling carry-on and must carry him, his 5 1/2 pounds drag me down. So my eyes are roving toward a lightweight travel companion.
Most ultraportables and netbooks weigh less than 3 pounds. At $1,800 or more, an ultraportable (which has a full-size keyboard, larger screen and faster processor) would leave a crater in my wallet, but a netbook -- typically less than $500 -- may make only a dent.
Netbooks are secondary systems -- best for e-mail, Internet, word processing and light photographic needs. They usually don’t have an optical drive, and their screens are as small as 8 inches and their keyboards are as much as 82% smaller than a standard one. Their Intel Atom processors are slower too.
I sought recommendations from editors Joanna Stern and Mark Spoonauer of Laptopmag.com, Brad Linder of Liliputing.com, and Phil Baker, inventor of a popular PDA folding keyboard and author of “From Concept to Consumer.”
Representatives from Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Sony also weighed in.
Unless noted, featured netbooks include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, a memory card slot, external VGA output connector, integrated graphics, two to three USB ports, built-in camera, headphone and microphone jacks and one-year warranty.
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
ACER Aspire 10.1” / $349 | 2.95 pounds
PROS:
Budget price; six-cell battery
CONS:
Smaller keyboard and touch pad; no Bluetooth
COMMENT:
Stern: “In the netbook arena, bang for your buck is the name of the game.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
ASUS Eee PC 1000HE / $399 | 3.2 pounds
PROS:
Faster Atom N280 processor; great keyboard; extended battery life; upgradable RAM; optional external TV tuner; free online storage at www.eeestorage.com;
Great U.S. tech support
CONS:
Slightly bulkier; glossy case attracts fingerprints
COMMENT:
Linder: “This netbook’s real claim to fame is an extended battery that runs seven to eight hours on a single charge.”
Spoonauer: “I’d argue that this . . . offers best bang for your buck right now.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
Dell Inspiron Mini 10” / $399 | 2.6 pounds
PROS:
Thin light case (six color choices); spacious keyboard, spill-resistant keyboard; six-cell battery option (+$30). Optional upgrades include high-resolution display, Bluetooth, built-in mobile broadband, integrated GPS and TV tuner capability
CONS:
No VGA port
Stern: “The system is one of the thinnest and lightest in its class, and the company has nearly caught up to the competition with its roomy keyboard.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
HP Mini 2140 / $479 | 3 pounds.*
PROS:
Great water-resistant, spacious keyboard; sturdy magnesium alloy case; touch pad with scrolling; long-lasting six-cell battery with HP Fast Charge technology (lasts eight hours); optional high-definition display (+$25)
CONS:
Vertical rather than horizontal mouse buttons
COMMENT:
Stern, Spoonauer, Linder and Baker all like the 2140 for travel.
Stern: “When it comes to netbooks for road warriors, endurance and durability top the list. The HP Mini 2140 . . . [has] both in an attractive shell.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
Lenovo IdeaPad
S10 / $399 | 2.82 pounds*
PROS:
Responsive keyboard; quick-start Linux OS for light tasks such as Skype calls; good backup software; one button restore feature; stylish compact chassis
CONS:
Smaller keyboard and touch pad; relocated right shift key
COMMENT:
Baker: “The S10 offers a good balance of features plus Lenovo ranks at the top for service and support among all the netbook brands.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
MSI Wind U123 / $379 | 3.2 pounds**
PROS:
Faster Atom N280 processor; comfortable keyboard; upgradable RAM; 1.3 MP webcam; optional TV tuner, Bluetooth and nine-cell battery that lasts nine hours
CONS:
Small touch pad; stiff mouse buttons; nine-cell battery adds weight
COMMENT:
Stern: “For just $379, the MSI Wind U123 offers good performance for a netbook and more than eight hours of endurance.”
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
Samsung NC10 / $415-$429 | 2.8 lbs
PROS:
Great roomy keyboard; touch pad with scrolling; thin and light; six-cell high capacity battery (lasts six-plus hours);
Superior 1.3 MP webcam; useful Samsung utility software for system recovery, data backup, performance boosting, etc.
CONS:
Small, narrow touch pad
COMMENT:
Laptop magazine considers the NC10 the most well-rounded netbook on the market.
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MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
Samsung N110 / $469 | 2.8 pounds.
PROS:
Same assets as NC10 plus battery lasts seven-plus hours; glossy screen; larger track pad and rounded palm rest; multi-tasks well (Web surf during a Skype video call.)
CONS:
Pretty case, but it attracts fingerprints; single touchbar instead of two buttons for touchpad
COMMENT:
Stern: “Samsung has hit the mark on creating a solid chassis with a stellar keyboard. The N110 outruns all other netbooks on the market to date with over seven hours of battery life.”
MAKE-MODEL / PRICE | WEIGHT:
SONY VAIO P series / $899+ | 1.4 lbs.
PROS:
Super-light and stylish; comfy keyboard; LED backlit 8-inch screen; Thinkpad-like pointing stick; Instant On function for quick access to photos, music, etc., outside of Vista; built-in GPS and mobile broadband
CONS:
Windows Vista slows it down; no touchpad; three-cell battery lasts only four hours; slow GPS
COMMENT:
Spoonauer: “As a design statement, the VAIO P is a breakthrough, and Sony crams an amazing amount of technology into a 1.4- pound chassis. We just wish it had more pep.”
*with six-cell battery
**with nine-cell battery