2009 Netbook Review • 05.08.09
It’s time for a “2009 Netbook Review”. I’ve down a few reviews of Netbooks in the last year, and I figured there must be more out there since it’s almost mid-year. It’s funny, google netbooks and get 28 million results. This time last year there were only a few models to even blog about. There’s even a Wikipedia entry about them. Even though this sub-compact laptop segment started as a way to get a mini-notebook under $300, prices now range from $250 - $1,200.
I’ve reviewed the MSI Wind, HP Mini-Note, and Acer Aspire One, so it’s time to take a look at some of the new Netbooks out there this year. Here’s five that I hadn’t seen before.
Asus Eee PC 1000
Asus pretty much created the Netbook segment all on their own, the new Asus Eee PC 1000 is the latest model they offer, coming in at just under $500. It’s about 3 pounds, and it’s a bit bigger than it’s predecessors, but it’s more what people are looking for because it has more keyboard space, battery life, storage, and screen.
Asus claims the 6-cell battery can last up to almost 8 hours. It has 1GB Ram, an Atom processor, and both an 8GB solid state drive (SSD), and a 32GB Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) drive. You also get 1024×600 resolution, bluetooth, wifi, and built-in webcam and microphone. Most ratings I’ve read in Asus Eee 1000 reviews were 3.5 out of 4 stars.
There are quite a few models of Eee 1000, and you can choose from either Windows XP or Linux versions.
Ubuntu Eee A BETTER LINUX Asus eee PC 701 900 901 1000| US $14.75 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 16:54:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.75 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
mini-BlueTooth USB Dongle for ASUS Eee PC 1000H /1000-H
| US $2.39 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 21:22:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $2.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
W558 Soft briefcase for Asus EEE PC 1000 1000H 1000HE
| US $4.48 End Date: Tuesday Jun-09-2009 2:10:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $4.48 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Ubuntu Eee 8 GB SD Card Asus Eee PC 701 900 901 1000
| US $34.75 End Date: Tuesday Jun-09-2009 6:06:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $34.75 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Batterie pour ASUS Eee PC 901 904 904HD 1000 1000H 1200
| US $60.54 End Date: Wednesday Jun-10-2009 18:13:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $60.54 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Dell Inspiron Mini 9
I’ve pretty much always hated Dell, but it’s no surprise that the big computer manufacturers have come out with their own models of netbooks. The mini 9 is loaded with Ubuntu and carries an Atom processor - like the Asus Eee, but it only has a 4 cell battery (versus the 6 in the Eee). You get built-in wireless and Lan ports, but the bluetooth will cost you $20 extra (well worth it). You get a 16GB Solid State SSD drive for storage, but it does have a 3 in 1 card reader. Most reviews I’ve read have been 2.5 out of 4 stars for the Mini 9, and quite a few say the Webcam sucks.
Dell Inspiron Mini 9-910 Laptop PINK @ ndc 5986| US $349.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:33:11 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Dell Inspiron Mini 9-910 Laptop BLACK @ ndc 5995
| US $349.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:33:22 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Dell Inspiron Mini 9-910 Laptop BLACK @ ndc 6492
| US $349.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:33:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Dell Inspiron Mini 9-910 Laptop BLACK @ ndc 6494
| US $349.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:33:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $349.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Dell Inspiron Mini 9-910 Laptop RED @ ndc 5412
| US $369.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:33:50 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $369.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Sylvania G Netbook
When I started this review I certainly didn’t think I’d be reviewing a subcompact laptop by Sylvania! The last thing I owned by that company was a 70’s TV. Because this is their first foray into the laptop markets, you won’t see very many reviews of this model online. The ones you will find say the keyboard is too small and missing the right shift key and some of the darker colors look weird.
However, it does have 1GB Ram, an Atom processor, three different SD card slots, and an 80GB hard drive. It is a SATA hard drive (not SSD), but it is more storage than any of the netbooks with SSD’s. It comes with Ubuntu as well. The reviews I was able to find were 2.5 out of 4 and 3 out of 5 stars, making this an ‘average’ netbook.
Sylvania G-Netbook C7-M 1.2GHz 1GB 30GB 7 Inch gOS Rock| US $179.99 End Date: Saturday Jun-20-2009 9:42:23 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $179.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
ONE SYLVANIA NOS-NIB 24JE6A/24LQ6 TESTED &G UARANTEED
| US $7.50 End Date: Saturday Jun-27-2009 8:33:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $7.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
NEW SYLVANIA GNET41601XB G NETBOOK NOTEBOOK COMPUTER
| US $372.90 End Date: Thursday Jul-02-2009 14:17:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $372.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
J & G Meakin Lovely old Art deco plate Sylvania pattern
| US $28.99 End Date: Saturday Jul-04-2009 16:48:54 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $28.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Lenovo Ideapad S10
Lenovo is the company that has been manufacturing IBM “Thinkpads” for years, it’s no surprise that this would be called an “Ideapad”. It should be durable as hell too! This one carries an 80GB hard drive, but only 512MB ram standard (ouch!). You do get wifi, lan, AND bluetooth. It may only have 2 USB slots, but it does have an express card slot - something most of the others don’t. It has a 10″ screen, but only a 3-cell battery. Most reviews I’ve read give it 3 out of 4 stars.
Lenovo IdeaPad U330 2.66GHz P9600 DDR3 500GB 66MB/s HDD| US $1,475.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 7:37:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,475.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
New Lenovo IdeaPad Y550 Core Duo 2GHz 15.6" Notebook
| US $549.00 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 8:54:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $549.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
*New Lenovo IBM IdeaPad Y430 Laptop WebCam HDMI 802.11N
| US $499.95 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 9:39:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $499.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
IBM LENOVO IDEAPAD Y530-40516BU C2D T6400 2G 800MHz 4GB
| US $626.95 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 10:23:24 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $626.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Lenovo IdeaPad Y530-5243U Core 2 Duo T5800 2.0GHz 4GB 3
| US $871.49 End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 11:11:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $871.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Fujitsu Lifebook U810
The Fujitsu Lifebook is the only ultra-portable that’s also a tablet PC! For that kind of functionality - you will pay about double the price of most netbooks though. It has an atom processor, 1GB ram, bluetooth, LAN, and wifi. You get a 40GB hard drive and 4 cell battery. The biggest con is that the screen is only 5.6″, which works great for a tablet, but is nearly HALF the size of most the popular netbooks on the market. It does have an SD card reader, but only a paltry single USB connection! It has a built-in webcam and mic, but most would say the keyboard is cramped. Most reviews I’ve read give it 3 out of 4 stars.
Fujitsu Port Replicator for Lifebook 8200 Series notebo| US $99.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 6:16:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $159.00 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
FUJITSU LIFEBOOK E2000 SERIES MOTHERBOARD 2.0GHZ
| US $79.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 8:46:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $89.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Fujitsu Lifebook C-5130 400MHz 256Mb 40Gb(HDD) CD-ROM
| US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 10:23:42 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Fujitsu Lifebook A6120 Notebook/Laptop
| US $356.85 (15 Bids) End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 10:26:48 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Brand New Fujitsu Lifebook A6220 Notebook/Laptop
| US $590.00 (12 Bids) End Date: Monday Jun-08-2009 10:28:19 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list |
Conslusion
There are definitely lots of entries in the netbook segment now, and it’s no surprise that the best one of the lot is from the manufacturer that started this new netbook category - the “Asus Eee 1000″. The others are viable entries, but have some maturing to do. Just make sure that you do your homework before buying, so you can get the one best suited to your needs. That are tons of review and comparison sites out there, but the only ones I really pay any attention to (and would recommend) would be the netbook reviews at test freaks, and also about.com, and c|Net.


