The Best Affordable Netbooks on the Market Today

Netbook computers represent, for many, the perfect balance between usability and affordability. If you don't need a computer for serious desktop publishing, gaming, or video editing, there is a good chance that the "mini-note" or netbook computer will feet your needs. They are generally portable, inexpensive, and great for daily computing tasks such as web browsing and watching a streaming video.

According to a recent article from PR Web, Netbook sales are growing at nearly twice the rate of notebook computers. In fact, during the second quarter of last year, there were over 38 Netbook units sold. Many computer users own a netbook, and nearly every computer manufacturer is making them. With so many different Notebooks and mini-notes clogging the marketplace, it can be difficult for a machine to stand out and shine. It takes something unique, exemplary, or exceptionally well-done to make a netbook stand out.

What to Look For in a Stand Out Netbook

In general, netbooks follow many of the typical rules for desktop computers: faster is better, cost is important, and storage is key. Additionally, netbooks require performance in a few other areas. For example, they should be lightweight, power-conscious, and they need a full-blown operating system. As a general rule, netbooks should:

Have a full-featured, low-power processor such as the Intel Atom.
Have at least 1GB of RAM, but be expandable to 2GB.
Weigh 2 pounds or less.
Be fully Wi-Fi compatible (3G is a plus).
Have a full-sized or nearly full-sized keyboard.
Have a full-blown operating system - not Windows 7 Starter or a crippled Linux build.

Five Stand-out Netbooks

Asus EeePC 1000 HE

Price: 379.99

What Makes it Outstanding: Two things make the Asus Eee PC 1000HE stand out among its peers; it has amazing battery life and the keyboard is second to none. The 1000HE is listed with a 9 hour battery, but with Windows 7, and a slimmed down services list and smart computing, users have been able to eek out 10-12 hours.

Like many of the netbooks on this list, the Asus Eee PC 1000HE includes the Atom processor running at 1.66Ghz. It also features a 160GB hard drive. The EeePC 1000HE works beautifully with Windows 7 Home or Professional, although it comes uninstalled win Windows XP. My favorite thing about the EeePC 1000HE is that the standard BIOS allows you to overclock it to nearly 1.77Ghz.

Asus Eee PC T91MT

Price: $484.99

What Makes it Outstanding: The Asus Eee PC T91MT is the best competitor to the Apple iPad that is currently available. It features a full-blown Windows 7 installation, a 32GB SSD drive, a 8.9 inch resistive touch display, and a 5 hour battery. Because it can do nearly everything the Apple iPad can do, plus it is a real computer, and it can run any program that a PC can, it is the netbook that I have chosen. I love the device.

I have been able to optimize the display and the solid state drive, as well as streamline the services so that I get a full 6.5 hours of battery life. In tablet mode, the device is a fantastic tablet. It handles multi-touch input with two points, and it accepts stylus input as well. I have enjoyed a number of streaming Netflix movies from the while in tablet and pc modes. I admit, the keyboard leaves a lot to be desired, and the SSD is slower than some, but it is an outstanding netbook for the price. If you are looking for an affordable tablet that can do it all, the T91MT is the machine for you.

HP Mini 210 HD

Price: starting at $329.99

What Makes it Outstanding: All of the HP Mini netbooks are solidly built and have fantastic keyboards. The HP Mini 210 HD is outstanding because of its high definition 720p display, New Intel Atom N450 processor that takes energy efficincy to a new level, and a nearly full-sized keyboard. The HP Mini 210 HD comes in both a Windows XP and Windows 7 version. Without a doubt, you want the Windows 7 configuration with 2GB of RAM.

The HP Mini HD can easily handle 1080p HD video for entertainment or presentation. When combined with the 6 cell battery, this machine is a traveling entertainment center. Hands down, this is the best display and media viewing experience available on a netbook today.

Asus Eee PC Seashell 1201N

Price: $499.99

What Makes it Outstanding: The Asus Eee PC Seashell 1201N is the monster of netbooks. It is faster, larger, and a bit more expensive. The Asus EeePC Seashell 1201N has a dual-core Atom processor, a 12.1 in screen, and yet it is only 3.2 pounds. It is a very capable machine that can handle gaming and other serious laptop tasks, but it is very portable and lightweight. The Asus Eee PC Seashell 1201N is really designed for people looking for power and portability.

The Intel Dual-Atom processor and the NVidia Ion video processor helps the lightweight computer have an outstanding 5 hour battery life. It also comes standard with 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. It is as fast, functional, and sturdy as a full-sized, full-priced laptop at less than half of the weight and cost.

Dell Mini 10

Price: 399.99

What Makes it Outstanding: Functionally, there is nothing unique about the Dell Mini 10. It has acceptable battery life and screen size, and its keyboard is perfectly fine. What makes the Dell Mini 10 so outstanding is that it is easily transformed into a OS X netbook, also known as a Hackintosh Netebook. The process for installing and managing Apple OS X on a Dell Mini 10 has been made smooth and flawless by a number of independent developers. If you are a Mac user, but you are looking for something portable and lightweight that isn't an iPad, a Hackintosh Dell Mini 10 is one of your best choices.