From the Los Angeles Times
TRAVEL TIPS
Weighing in on the laptop lightweights
Most netbooks weigh less than 3 pounds and are the perfect travel companions, best suited for e-mail, Internet, word processing and light photographic needs.
By Terry Gardner
May 08, 2009
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.
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."
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."
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
Comment
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."
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."
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."
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."
Samsung NC10
$415-$429 | 2.8 pounds
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.
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."
SONY VAIO P series
$899+ | 1.4 pounds
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
I never really liked my PDA for keeping track of appts, etc, anyway, because it's just faster to pull a datebook out of my purse. But, yes, I know the mini's won't do the same things like let me write on the screen...
Mind you, that purse can get kinda heavy...
