Authored by Dave Mallisk in Computer Hardware
Published on 12-25-2009

To help you select a netbook, this article compares specifications among five of the best-rated netbooks. While shopping for a netbook, focus first on the features you most want or need, and then shop by price. Although you might not use a netbook to replace a desktop computer, you might use it to replace a laptop, especially if you do not need an optical drive while travelling for business.

According to recent reviews by both computer experts and customers, the following five netbooks (listed alphabetically) are generally best:

• Acer Aspire One
• Asus Eee PC 1005HA
• Dell Mini 10
• Samsung N140
• Toshiba NB205-N325BL

Note: Although some reviewers, in their specific ‘top five’ lists, included more than one model from the same manufacturer, most reviewers selected at least one netbook from each of the above manufacturers.

Shared Specifications

Except as detailed in sections below, all five netbooks listed above generally share the following specifications:

• Operating System = Windows XP Home
• Weight = 2.8 pounds
• Memory = 1.0 GB
• Storage = SATA hard drive, 160 GB, 5400 RPM
• Display:
  • Diagonal measurement = 10.1″
  • Resolution = 1024 X 600 pixels
• Wi-Fi = 802.11b/g
• Ports:
  • Ethernet
  • Headphone
  • Microphone
  • USB (three)

Acer Aspire One

Specifications listed in the “Shared Specifications” section above apply to the Acer Aspire One netbook with the following single exception: While ordering some models, you can specify a 2.0 GB memory.

For more information, see the Acer Aspire One website. Its additional specifications include:

• Dimensions:
  • Width = 10.2″
  • Height = 8.0″
  • Depth = 1.3″
• Battery Capacity = As long as 7.0 hours (57.7 W 5200 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack)
• Processor = 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270
• Card Reader = 4-in-1 card reader

Asus Eee PC 1005HA

Specifications listed in the “Shared Specifications” section above apply to the Asus Eee PC 1005HA netbook with the following exceptions:

• While ordering some models, you can specify GNU Linux as an optional operating system.
• Its Wi-Fi is 802.11b/g/n.

For more information, see the Asus Eee PC 1005HA website. Its additional specifications include:

• Dimensions:
  • Width = 10.3″
  • Height = 7.0″
  • Depth = 1.4″
• Battery Capacity = As long as 10.5 hours (6-cell Li-ion battery pack)
• Processor = Intel Atom N280/N270
• Card Reader = MMC/SD(SDHC)

Dell Mini 10

Specifications listed in the “Shared Specifications” section above apply to the Dell Mini 10 netbook with the following exceptions:

• While ordering some models, you can specify Ubuntu Linux as an optional operating system.
• While ordering some models, you can specify a 2.0 GB memory.
• Its Wi-Fi is Dell 1397 WLAN 802.11g – Half mini-card.
• Only two of its three USB ports are standard USB ports; the third USB port is for power-only.

For more information, see the Dell Mini 10 website. Its additional specifications include:

• Dimensions:
  • Width = 10.26″
  • Height = 7.19″
  • Depth = 1.11″
• Battery Capacity = As long as 6.0 hours (6-cell Li-ion battery pack)
• Processor = 1.33-GHz Intel Atom Z520
• Card Reader = 3-in-1 card reader

Samsung N140

Specifications listed in the “Shared Specifications” section above apply to the Samsung N140 netbook with no exceptions. For more information, see the Samsung N140 website. Its additional specifications include:

• Dimensions:
  • Width = 10.30″
  • Height = 7.30″
  • Depth = 1.16″
• Battery Capacity = As long as 7.0 hours (5200 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack)
• Processor = 1.6-GHz Intel Atom N270
• Card Reader = multi-format card reader

Toshiba NB205-N325BL

The shared specifications listed in the “Shared Specifications” section above apply to the Toshiba NB205-N325BL netbook with the following exceptions:

• Its operating system is Windows 7 Starter (32 bit).
• It weighs 2.93 pounds (minimum).
• Only two of its three USB ports are standard USB ports; the third USB port is for power-only.
• It has no VGA port.

For more information, see the Toshiba NB205-N325BL website. Its additional specifications include:

• Dimensions:
  • Width = 10.35″
  • Height = 8.33″
  • Depth = 1.27″
• Battery Capacity = As long as 9.0 hours (5800 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack)
• Processor = Intel Atom N280
• Card Reader = memory card reader