Guide and Review: How to Choose a Netbook

Published on January 12, 2009 at 5:45 pm by heri in: Web Development

Last week, the stars for the 2009 CES conference was without doubt netbooks. Every major computer manufacturer, be it HP, Dell, Asus, Acer, Sony, Gigabyte, or LG released new models, or updated specifications to their existing line-up. I have written about 2008 trends, and CES does prove that netbooks will be the main source of growth for laptop manufacturers this year.

If you are looking to do web development or sys-admin on the road, if you are looking for a secondary laptop, if you are highly mobile and travel very frequently, a netbook is highly suited. Here is for instance a highly probable scenario for a sys admin: you are responsible for monitoring a website and make sure it is running properly. While commuting or in a coffee shop, you are alerted that the website is malfunctioning. With a netbook that fits in one of your pocket, you can access to the website’s control panel or via SSH, and solve the problem right away, without having to race to an office.

To help you chose amongst the 40+ netbooks models which are now available, here’s an exclusive table comparing 4 different models.

Note: The Acer Aspire One, the MSI Wind, and the Asus Eee PC 900 has very similar specifications to the Dell. But since the Dell Inspiron 9 is cheaper and has more options, they were excluded. If you buy a netbook, don’t forget then to consider the Acer Aspire and the MSI.

  Asus Eee PC 1002HA Dell Inspiron Mini 9 OQO Model 2+ Sony Vaio P
Model
CPU Intel Atom Diamondville 1.6Ghz Intel Atom Diamondville 1.6Ghz Intel Atom Silverthorne 1.86Ghz Intel Atom Silverthorne 1.33Ghz
Graphics (Screen Size + Resolution) 10.2″ 1024×600 8.9″ 1024×600 5″ 1024×768 OLED, Toucscreen 8″ 1600 x 768px
RAM and HD 1Gb 512Mb 2Gb, 120Gb HD shock-mounted 2Gb, 60Gb HD
Software Windows XP Linux or Windows XP Windows Vista Business or XP Windows Vista
Battery 30 Wh 31Wh “3.5 hours” 15 Wh
Connectivity (Wireless, Expansions, 3G)  Ethernet 10/100, Headset Mic+Line, Multiformat Card reader, USB2.0, 802.11g Ethernet 10/100, Headset Mic+Line, Multiformat Card reader, USB2.0, 802.11g, 802.11n, BT2.0, with 3G, with TV Tuner HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, Docking connector, 802.11g, 3G (EVDO – HSPA) USB2.0, Headset Mic+Line, Docking Connector, 802.11g, 802.11n, BT2.1, 3G, GPS
Dimensions (Size w/h/d inches and Weight) 0.4 x 7.1 x 1.12.6 lb 9.1 x 6.9 x 1.22.3 lb 5.6 x 3.3 x 1 1.0 lb 9.6 x 4.7 x 0.8          

1.4 lb
Price $499 $349 $1600 depending on mobile plans $899

Here are  conclusions:

  • Netbooks for Web Development, Sys-Admin: Asus Eee PC 1002HA, because of the screen and price
  • Netbooks for Mobile Blogging, email, calendars: Dell Inspiron Mini 9, because of its price
  • Netbooks for hackers who want to expand or “fine-tune”: Dell Inspiron Mini, because of its connectivity, price and Linux
  • Netbooks for mobile businessmen: OQO Model 2+, for the 3G feature, Windows Vista, size
  • Netbooks for school, or as a second laptop: the Asus Eee PC or the Dell Inspiron Mini 9, for their price and size

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Comments

  1. Martin Leclair
    January 13th, 2009 10:09 am

    Je préfère le Macbook Air.

  2. iWeb-Heri
    January 13th, 2009 10:21 am

    ah oui, moi aussi, mais c’est pas vraiment la même catégorie.

    le dell inspiron ou le OQO on peut le mettre dans une poche (une grosse poche, oui, mais ca reste une poche). un macbook air, il faut en prendre soin

  3. Martin Leclair
    January 13th, 2009 11:00 am

    Ah je pensais que c’était la même catégorie, ca ressemblait sur les photos !

  4. Martin Leclair
    January 13th, 2009 11:01 am

    Oops … I commented in french in the english version of the article.

  5. scott
    January 13th, 2009 12:39 pm

    They are actually putting windows Vista on them, that is really stupid. It is bad enough on a larger computer.

    I have been tempted to get the Dell mini Linux or a Linux version of the Asus Eee PC as a second laptop to carry around with me, but don’t know if it would be too bulky. I use my palm Treo now to do all my reading surfing while I am away, but it can be a pain.

    I noticed you never listed the Asus Eee PC only as win XP. Are they not offering Linux on it anymore?

  6. iWeb-Heri
    January 13th, 2009 12:46 pm

    scott, there are 10+ models for the Asus Eee PC, but for the version here, it’s only windows xp

    they’ve got 7 models with linux.

    i agree linux (ubuntu) would be a better choice for a netbook. I just got an Acer Aspire One, with Windows XP and planning to put ubuntu mobile on it, whenever I get the time. Windows Vista (or XP) takes too much resources.

  7. scott
    January 13th, 2009 1:08 pm

    That is good to hear, I was very pleased when I saw that all the netbook companies were adding Ubuntu Linux as an option. Finally people have a choice.

    Yea, I checked the Eee PC page and noticed every model had Linux except that one which I was pleased to see.

  8. iWeb-Heri
    January 13th, 2009 1:35 pm

    Well, for Asus, I know the default choice was from the beginning their custom version of Linux. Now that they’ve added RAM, they’re beginning to offer win vista as well.

    by the way, don’t forget the other models. I’ve heard about the Dell Mini, it seems to be a great option

  9. Toby
    January 13th, 2009 2:26 pm

    I bought an Acer Aspire one, some time ago, and I was quite pleased. although I do hope that whoever the bastard that stole it isn’t, since he needs my password to install updates or install anything at all.

    Oh well. I’ve saved up for a Toshiba Satellite now and again I’m very pleased, and it never leaves my sight.

  10. iWeb-Heri
    January 13th, 2009 2:31 pm

    too bad toby. I’ve also read that netbooks are easily stolen, since they are so small. and since it’s still a laptop, a thief is very tempted to snatch it.

    I’m thinking about an utility for the OS that would send pictures of the user, thanks to the webcam. so you activate this utility as soon as you get your netbook stolen

  11. scott
    January 13th, 2009 2:38 pm

    For sure, if I was to buy a netbook now I would go with a Linux Dell mini 9 with an upgraded HD and RAM. I don’t have the money now, so I can’t, but when I do that will probably be the way I will go.

    On the topic I noticed that Dell now haves a Mini 12 with 12inch screen. Do you know if that is still considered a netbook?

  12. iWeb-Heri
    January 13th, 2009 2:43 pm

    My definition of a netbook is a 10″ screen or less, and a price inferior to $600. Otherwise, it’s just a “small” laptop. Apple had at one time 12″ macbooks and 12″ powerbooks, and those were called laptops not netbooks.

  13. Michael
    January 14th, 2009 12:39 pm

    I’ve been using the Acer Aspire One, with Xubuntu replacing the default linux install, for about 4 months now. Great little machine that I bring along everywhere. Solid construction, zippy feel, decent keyboard after an hour of getting accustomed to it.

    Had I waited, I’d give the MSI Wind serious consideration since it seems to take the OS X install reasonably well — and without replacing the WiFi card — plus the slightly larger size and great keyboard is appealing. The Toshiba entry should be better but is, surprisingly, pedestrian and the keyboard is difficult to get efficient with.

  14. iWeb-Heri
    January 14th, 2009 12:53 pm

    I’m trying to do the same thing (I have the Acer Aspire One too). Michael, how did you do the install? with a USB drive I guess?

  15. scott
    January 16th, 2009 1:00 pm

    Xubuntu is not bad, have you tried Kubuntu or Ubuntu? With the specs of the Aspire One Kubuntu or Ubuntu should run fine.

    He probably used USB unless he haves a portable CD/DVD drive. I was able to install Ubuntu on my wife’s laptop through USB.

  16. iWeb-Heri
    January 16th, 2009 1:36 pm

    I just bought a 4Gb usb drive, will install ubuntu mobile edition this weekend on the Acer as a weekend project

  17. scott
    January 16th, 2009 1:45 pm

    I don’t know if it will help, but here is the page I used for help on USB installation https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick

  18. scott
    January 18th, 2009 2:21 pm

    It looks like I will be getting a netbook sooner than I thought. Well, actually, it will be my wife’s, but I will be using it also. We decided on the Dell Mini 9 with Ubuntu because it is much more affordable, comes with decent specs including a half decent Intel video card.

  19. iWeb-Heri
    January 19th, 2009 8:48 am

    thanks for the USB link btw (although I didn’t finally had time this weekend. downloading an ISO took all the time, and by the time it was finished, I had to do something else) next time.

    and for the Dell Mini, I would have chosen it too, but there was recently a sale at Futureshop so that’s why I had the Acer Aspire One

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