How the netbooks compare

For those who may be planning to buy a netbook, the following is how The Nation's team summed up the performance of four models that are currently available in Thailand, or are expected to hit the market soon.

Dell mini 12

This model has a very thin design and comes in different colours, including pink, black and white. With a 1.6GHz Intel Atom Silverthorne CPU and 1GB of RAM, this netbook offers quick processing. It takes less than a minute for the system to be up and running. Notably, the RAM, embedded in the mainboard, can not be upgraded.

The 12.1-inch (30.73-centimetre) screen is large enough to ensure full page viewing. The screen offers 1280 x 800-pixel resolution and there is a 1.3MB webcam on top of the screen. Probably due to the big screen, this netbook is only about 20-per-cent smaller than normal notebooks. One problem is the tiny keyboard, which makes typing a bit difficult.

Internet connections can be made through LAN, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G SIM cards. The three-cell battery allows continual use for up to 3.5 hours.

 At Easy Internet shop, the price is Bt21,900.

HP Mini-Note PC

Priced slightly lower than Dell mini 12, the HP Mini-Note PC may be an attractive choice.

The processing speed is equivalent to that of the Dell Mini 12, with an Intel Atom N270 (1.66GHz) CPU and 1GB of memory. Coming with webcam, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, users can make easy connections. The 8.9-inch (22.6-cm) screen is a bit smaller, although the resolution is practically the same at 1280 x 768 pixels. Unplugged, this device can be used for hours.

The HP Mini-Note PC responds quickly to the touch pad, and the keyboard is big and typing is easy. While the simple, modern look of this netbook may draw buyers, we found one detraction was the on-off switch on the front edge of the body, where it can easily be turned on accidentally.

Asus Eee 1000HE

The shiny seashell-black colour of this netbook is surely the first thing to catch a buyers' attention. It is small but thick, and weighs more than 1kg - only slightly less than a normal notebook. However, weight is the only concern. The keyboard - 92 per cent of the size of that in generic notebooks - is perfect for typing and the processing speed is equal to others in this category. Using the new Intel Atom 280 processor with a 10-inch (25.4-cm) LED-lit screen, a 160GB hard disk drive, Bluetooth, wireless networking, and the revised keyboard, this netbook also promises to reduce energy consumption. With a 6-cell battery, the netbook can be used for up to 9 hours, exactly as Asus claims.

Acer Aspire One D150

Like that of the Asus Eee series, the glossy cover on this netbook could get dirty with prolonged use from numerous fingerprints. Its capacity matches that of the Asus Eee, with a 160GB hard disk drive, and its Intel Atom N270 chip gives it an equal operating speed. However, the keyboard is a bit small. The touch PAD is also hard to press for left and right moves, and the response is slow.

Coming with a 10.2-inch (25.9-cm) display screen, this netbook weighs in at 1.18kg. The suggested price of about Bt13,900 could make it attractive to first-time users. This device also supports SIM-card connection, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LAN.

It is recommended that buyers thoroughly study the specifications of netbooks and after-sales services that are offered, as well as comparing prices. Importantly, it should be remembered that netbooks are designed for light activities like typing and Internet surfing. Buying something with a capacity beyond its intended use, or buying a netbook in the hope that it will perform like a full-scale notebook, could both be a waste of money.