With so many new netbooks entering the market these last weeks, it was finally time for a new list with the best netbooks in the 10 inch class, based on my personal experience with them and reviews from buyers all around the world.
However, having so many good choices on the market, it was pretty difficult to make a top, that’s why i divided the article in 3 parts: cheap netbooks, mainstream and “money are not a problem” devices. You can read about each of them below.
While a couple of years ago we used to get plenty of new 10 inch netbooks to choose from, 2012 saw most of those models discontinued, with only a bunch of new ones to replace them. I’ve tested all the new 2012 netbooks launched so far and you’re going to find details about each of them bellow.
It’s important however to understand that there’s a new trend settling for this class: 10 inch netbooks tend to become more powerful and cheaper, but you no longer get the premium options you used to get a couple of years ago.
Also, a bunch of producers have abandoned this class, like Samsung or Sony, which leaves more room for Asus, Acer, HP and Toshiba products in our list.
Of course, this post is not a top, it is a list of recommended products, based on my experience with them and reviews from journalists and regular buyers, posted online. I can’t say which of these is better than the other, that’s for each of you guys to decide, based on your needs and expectations from these little machines. My short explanations and the through reviews on this site will help though, plus you can always leave a comment and ask for advices.
Best netbooks for budget oriented customers
If budget is your main concern, but you’re still looking for a nice device, than these laptops in here are the ones for you. They come with decent hardware and battery life, but in most cases they won’t be the best in terms of materials and finishing quality and will offer old style flat-keyboards and no Bluetooth.
Asus EEE PC X101 with Meego – details here
Asus X101 – cheap, light and with Meego onboard
The X101 is perhaps the lightest, slimmest and also cheapest 10 incher available in stores these days. But there are a couple of reasons for that: it packs a low-power single core Atom processor and no HDD, but a 8 GB flash-drive for storage (which you can extend by using a SD card). Plus, you don’t get Windows as the OS (not that there was enough space for it anyway, but Meego, a light OS meant for basic tasks), but an OS I actually tested on the Acer D257 last year and found out that it has some severe lacks.
So you do get your downsides, but those come with the package if you’re looking for a 2 pound 0.7 inch mini laptop that still packs a decent keyboard, decent trackpad and standard 10 inch screen.
Are all these worth around 200 bucks (see the updated price over at Amazon)? Personally, I’s day no; I’d rather pay 50 bucks extra and get a faster processor, more storage space and a proper OS. You might argue that those devices will be heavier/bulkier and this X101 Meego netbook is going to be fine for light use, which is true in theory, but my past experiences with Meego just won’t let me recommend it to anyone.
Asus EEE PC X101CH – more details in here
This is Asus’s latest entry-level netbook, their most affordable 10 incher for 2012. Part of the new Flare EEE PC family, it brings a new design and the latest Intel Atom platform.
Asus X101CH – fast, fanless, fairly fast and overall affordable
On the outside, you get a plastic case with a dimpled texture. Opening the lid cover, there’s a proper keyboard and trackpad, plus a matte 10 inch display, and you’ll notice that the same color used for the exterior is also used on the palm-rest. You’ll also notice that there’s no a single bit of glossy plastic on this machine, which makes it so much more suitable for life on the road.
Inside you get an Intel Atom N2600 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB storage space and Windows 7 Starter. The dual-core CPU is part of Intel’s new Atom CedarTrail platform and can handle well basic multitasking, plus it can deal with HD and Full HD content, which can also be output via HDMI to a bigger display. Also, the entire hardware platform is fanless, thus the computer runs very quiet, but also decently cool.
Asus set the list price for the EEE PC X101CH at about $269 in the US, with a 3 Cell battery that’s gonna offer around 4 hours of life in a daily use scenario. But I’m pretty sure the prices will get lower in time, so you should check this page on Amazon’s website for up-to date prices and some extra details about this machine, plus pictures and reviews from those who already bought the little fellow.
Toshiba NB505
Last but not least in this list of affordable netbooks, there’s the Toshiba NB505. This has been quite popular during 2011, and while not available in the US in most stores, it still is around the world, that’s why I’m still keeping it here, until the new generation Toshiba netbooks pop out. It brings a single-core Atom Processor, 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB storage and Windows 7 Starter, plus a 6 Cell 48 Wh battery that will get you about 6-8 hours of life on everyday use.
On the outside, the NB505 is covered in some high quality smooth plastic, with a textured dimpled finish. You can get it in 5 different colors, like brown, blue, green, turquoise and orange and all look way better than that dull black you usually get on cheap notebooks. There is also a nice partially Full-size keyboard (see details about netbooks with Full-size keyboards), unlike the keyboard on most netbooks that are 93-95% of a Full size one.
Overall, the Toshiba NB505 is for sure a solid affordable laptop. Only real objection goes towards the glossy screen that will reflect anything when used in strong light. The reviews and marks scored by this product with experts and regular buyers also stand as proof to how good it actually is.
As for the price, the NB505 is usually listed around 250 bucks, but prices might vary from store to store, especially now when the stocks are running out soon. In Europe, this one goes as Toshiba NB500 and costs just around 200 pounds in the UK or around 250 euro in Germany .
Toshiba NB505 – best pick if you want a sub $300 netbook right now
All in all, the devices above meet different expectations, as they are built on different hardware and software platforms. Picking one over the other will depend on your needs and taste.
In the next couple of months, we should expect more cheap 10 inch netbooks in stores, and I’ll update this post once they become available.
If you’re considering getting an used laptop, you should take a look at devices like the Asus 1001Ps, the Acer Aspire One D522 or the Toshiba NB305 . Should be able to find these for around 200 bucks, but buying an used laptop comes with risks (it might break after a couple of days or weeks and fixing it will cost you way more than buying a new one, in most cases), thus I won’t really advice you to do it. Better go for refurbished netbooks if you’re looking to save some bucks, at least you’ll get 3-6 months warranty.
For more options of fair-priced mini laptops, you should check out my other post about cheap netbooks as well.
Mainstream netbooks – best in terms of performances/price
Want an overall good laptop (not that the above are bad) that won’t leave a hole in your wallet? Then one of the mainstream netbooks in here is perhaps what you need.
They provide the standard hardware based on Intel CedarTrail ( and the older PineTrail) Atom and AMD Fusion platforms, but with dual-core processors, so they offer improved performances and excellent autonomy, while looking good and having price usually around $300-$350. And there might be some other models as well: chiclet keyboards, ergonomic touchpads with multi-touch, Bluetooth, big batteries, HD displays, etc.
Asus EEE PC 1025C (read review) and 1025CE (read review)
These are the best 10 inch netbook Asus has in stores for 2012, the mainstream EEE PC 1025C, the good all-rounder with a proper price tag, and the top-of-the-line EEE PC 1025CE, which adds a couple of things on top, like I’ve told you in this detailed comparison of the two.
I’ve tested them both here on the site and you get the links towards the reviews above.
The 1025C is a solid machine and it’s going to start at $299, with an Atom CedarTrail N2800 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB HDD and Windows 7 Starter. Plus a 3 Cell battery, while a 6 Cell battery version is also going to be available for 20-30 bucks extra.
The 1025C is going to be quite snappy for a 10 incher, as the new Atom is indeed fast (a comparison between the N2800 and the previous generation Atoms is available here) and it’s also going to offer good video playing abilities (I’ve tested all kinds of 1080p videos and they all worked just fine). On the outside, there’s a new design, brought by this new Asus EEE PC line the Taiwanese company launched for 2012. The result definitely looks good and feels solid, with a soft plastic exterior and interior, available in a bunch of different colors. Plus, you do get a 10.1 inch matte display.
See the latest prices for the Asus EEE PC 1025C via this link towards Amazon.
The 1025CE is basically the same device, with a couple of extras: you get more color options to choose for the exterior (and the bottom is also made from the same smooth material used for the lid cover, while on the 1025C is made from some regular textured plastic), it comes with an USB 3.0 slot and an enhanced WebCam and it’s only going to be available with a 6 Cell battery. As a result, the price tag is going to be slightly increased, starting at around $319 for the Asus EEE PC 1025CE.
Up-to-date prices for the 1025CE premium EEE PC are also available over at Amazon.
So, there’s little not to like about these EEE PCs. But on a closer look, there’s one thing: the memory is soldered on both of them (although that might differ from region to region) and since the machines only come with 1 GB of RAM by default, you won’t be able to upgrade them, despite the fact that the platform can take up to 4 GB of memory. And a netbook with only 1 GB of RAM these days, well, it’s not going to be as snappy as I’d want it to be.
Asus 1025C and 1025CE – the best 10 inch netbooks Asus has in store for the first part of 2012
Acer Aspire One D270
This is Acer’s new 2012 netbook, bringing forward the new Intel Atom CedarTrail platform.
Acer D270 – beautiful and affordable, but with a glossy exterior and screen
In terms of exterior and looks, the D270 sees no significant changes from the Acer D257, the most appreciated Acer 10 inch mini laptop in 2011 (the one we actually tested over here). There’s also the same keyboard, trackpad and screen, as much as I’d want to see a matte display on this machine, like you get on the Asus netbooks these days. The case is also covered in glossy plastic, which looks indeed great when you take the little fellow out of the box, but it’s going to catch fingerprints and scratches the minute you actually start using it.
The Acer D270 ir right now available with an Intel N2600 Processor, 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB storage and Windows 7 Starter, plus a 6 Cell battery as default. More powerful versions with an Intel Atom N2800 will also follow for sure in the next months. The good part is that the memory isn’t soldered like on the Asus machines above, so you can upgrade it, but on the other hand the Acer doesn’t offer an USB 3.0 slot and overall feels poorer built than the new EEE PCs.
All in all though, this is a fairly good 10 inch netbook. It brings forward the faster Intel Atom Cedar Trail platform that’s gonna provide decent everyday performances and solid video playing abilities, it packs a long-lasting battery (6 hours of daily use) and it’s the cheapest 2012 generation netbook available right now, with a starting price of $279. Of course, as months pass by, I’m sure the price will drop even lower, so you’d better check out this link towards Amazon for up-to-date pricing details.
Asus 1015B/1015BX – see full review
Asus 1015B – multimedia netbook
The Asus 1015B/1015BX is the first 10 inch laptop from Asus to come with AMD Fusion hardware and the result is a versatile netbook.
This is however a 2011 Asus EEE PC and while you’ll hardly find it in the US anymore, it’s still available in Europe. The link towards the review will tell you more about what is a great multimedia mini laptop, with decent performances, good video playing abilities and enough battery life to last you throughout most of your daily chores.
In the US, the prices for the 1015B started at around $270, with the better versions going for 330-350 bucks. In Europe, you’ll find the Asus EEE PC 1015BX, going for about 320 euros, with an AMD C50 APU.
I for one am looking forward for the updated 2012 AMD powered EEE PC (probably called the 1025B/1025BX) and I’ll update the post once it starts showing around.
HP Mini 210
Although not a particular fan of the HP Mini series, i could not let these netbooks out of this list, as they are fairly popular and appreciated in the US.
HP Mini 210 – solid and beautiful, but a bit ovepriced
They benefit from a huge network of dealers and services throughout the States and one can easily configure its own setup on HP’s website. But that leads for quite a high price-tag for the final product
There are however a couple of pre-configured HP Minis I consider worthy, one of them being the HP Mini 210-4150R which comes with a new generation Intel Atom N2600 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB storage, 6 Cell battery and Windows 7 Starter. Thus, config wise, this HP is on par with the Acer D270 and the Asus X101CH listed above, but it is a bit more expensive, going for around 300 bucks (although you might find it cheaper online).
Is it worth the extra tens of dollars though? Well, the HP definitely is solid build and look good, plus that keyboard is actually quite comfortable for a 10 incher. On the other hand, it comes with a glossy screen, but at least the entire casing is covered in matte plastic. So, the HP is not as shinny as the Acer, which makes it better for the road, but also not as rough as the Asus.
Toshiba NB520 and NB550 – not available in the US
These are two devices that deserve a place here in our top but are only available in some European countries right now.
On the outside, they are all the same and resemble the NB505 you can find above, with a smooth plastic exterior and a dimpled finish, partially Full-size keyboard and glossy 10.1 inch display. Inside though, they couldn’t be more apart:
- Toshiba NB520 comes with Atom N550 CPU, 1 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive and Windows 7 Starter;
- Toshiba NB550D comes with AMD C50 APU with dual core 1.0 GHz processor and DirectX11 capable graphics, 1 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive and Windows 7 Starter as well (more details in my review here)
Plus, both come with potent Harman Kardon speakers embedded in the palm rest, the best you can get on 10 inchers for sure.
Price wise, the NB520 is available in Germany for 300 euros and in the UK for 280 pounds. The AMD powered NB550D goes for 320 euros in Germany and around 300 pounds in the UK.
Toshiba NB520 and NB550D – cool design and Harman Kardon speakers
Fancy and exclusive netbooks – best money can buy
If all the above are just not enough for you and you’re ready to pay $400+ for a 10 inch mini laptop, than the devices in this category are the ones for you. They are just the best money can buy and offer some fancy features and aesthetics, like touch-sensitive HD displays, metallic cases and stellar battery life.
However, i will not insist too much on this category, mainly because in the 10 inch class, you can hardly find anything above $400 really worth that kind of money. Also, the devices available right now and listed below do not offer latest generation hardware, but are built on last year’s Intel Atom PineTrail platform. And they might not be upgraded at all.
You do get the HP Mini 5103 with a metallic casing and lots of customization options (touch display, carrying handle, fast 7200 rpm HDD, extra memory, big battery), which can easily jump even to 1000 bucks, but you will still end with the same level of performance offered by other cheaper netbooks.
Plus, there’s another solid business netbook with aluminum casing and quite good features and specs, the Asus EEE PC 1016P. But are you really sure you want to pay that much extra for “details”?
Business 10 inchers: HP Mini 5103 and Asus EEE PC 1016
Wrap-up
That’s about it for now. If the post was useful, please tell your friends about it and leave a comment. Like i already said, as time passes and new devices will enter the market, you’ll see changes and updates. So make sure you check this one periodically. Also,prices and availability might change in time, so be sure to check the links for each product for up-to-date details.
If you’re looking for more powerful mini laptops, you could also take a look at the recommended 11.6 inch and 12 inch notebooks, also posts from this site.
In the end, i can only hope i could give you a hand in deciding which of the current 10 inch netbooks is the best for your needs and budget. Once again, I have to say that is a list of recommended mini laptops you will be able to find worldwide, although the prices are listed in dollars in most cases and will vary from country to country.
Thanks once again for your time and don’t forget, feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Great article. Very informative.
Thanks
I think I am going to but the Toshiba. Why didn’t you review any samsung models though?
Andrew, i haven’t got in touch with any of them till now. Also, i do consider them a little bit too expensive for what they can offer, that’s why none of them made it into this top
great review! i’m choosing a netbook for my birthday and was having a hard time finding a clear cut comparison between the top netbooks. i think i’m going to choose between the toshiba and the asus 1005PE-P~~
ps. does the asus 1005PE-P only come in black and blue? that’s what it looks like on amazon…
Yes, only in Black and Blue for that version. The 1001P is available in White or Pink also.
I just got the Asus1005PE-P and I’m mostly satisfied with it. I wish the keyboard was a bit bigger though.
it’s like you read my mind with the white and pink lol
if you don’t mind me asking, would you recommend the asus 1001p or the 1005pe-m or the toshiba (putting aside the price differences)?
and what’s the 1005ha?
thanks for your help!
If money are not a matter, I would go for the Toshiba like i said in the text. I have the older generation one and am very satisfied with it. This new one is even better.
The 1005HA is the older generation 10 inch netbook from Asus.
What are the main differences and things to consider between the Asus 1005PE-PU27 and Toshiba NB305-N410? I can’t decide between these two. Thanks.
Brian, please read the reviews for each of them for more details, there are links next to each of the names. Shortly, i like the Toshiba because of the better keyboard/trackpad and entire matte chassis. The 1005PE-PU27 comes only with a matte lid cover (the palm rest area and trackpad and area around the display are still glossy), but provides around 2 hours better battery life in practice… Choosing between each of the two is just up to your taste and needs…
Thank you very much… find it very informative. I’ve been reading reviews with regards to netbooks and trying to compare them. am choosing between Toshiba’s NB305 (brown) and the Asus 1005PE-PU27…. but now added another one on my list… HP5102… guess i should wait for awhile… thanks again…
The HP 5102 is a little bit from another league than the others. Comes with a more solid case and some extra features but is a lot more expensive (can get to 600-700 easily, and even more). So you should really put budget in the equation before deciding
Looking for a netbook mainly for international travel. Must have long battery life – very long plane rides. Looking at the Asus 1005PE-P and the Toshiba NB305. As an ex-IBMer how does Lenovo play in this field? Price: could go up around $500. Anything new on the horizon worth waiting for???
Nina, there’s the Lenovo S10-3s . But it can only be preodered in the us for now from here: http://amzn.to/9pkMqv . Costs 349 and is pretty light and slim. I was waiting for it to start shipping and get a hand on it before adding it to this post. Initial reports claim it is in fact very good so it will add to this list. Besides that., there’s actually nothing new for now.
Hi! I found a deal: Samsung N150 Netbook Intel Atom N450 for $280. What can u say about it? Is it better than Acer?
Haven’t got the chance to play with it but i wrote a couple of words about the device in here: http://www.tlbhd.com/colorful-samsung-n150-corby-available-in-us-with-matching-accessories-3190/. I’ve also seen it became quite popular on Amazon and other stores, so I believe it’s a decent pick.
BTW, could you share where you spotted it for $280?
Your blog give me whole information about netbooks, which is very helpful to me to choose best 1o inch netbooks. But I think it is expensive for what you can offer.
What a useless review i just wanted to know the top 10 ranked in order
You cannot rank computers in a straight top 10. Like i’ve said in the post, each user needs and expects different things from a laptop. I for one value a lot performance, while other might value a lot design. That’s why this post is a list of good options, and not a top per se.
“What a useless review i just wanted to know the top 10 ranked in order”
That wouldn’t be a “review”!!!!
I think it’s an excellent review of the leading netbooks at the moment.
Hi,
In September I’m starting with Lawschool, and I feel a netbook would come in handy so that I can make notes during lessons. I’m not organized enough for paper-notebooks;).
Since I will only be using it for taking notes during lectures (and check my email, etc.) I have to important specs:
1. Comfortable for typing
2. Light-weight
What netbook would be my best pick for September 2010? (doesn’t necessarily be included in the list @review)
Thanks!
Gardash
The best for typing is the Toshiba NB205, because it has the most comfortable keyboard. Very little flex, keys just the right size, etc . As for the other part, if you’re OK with a device that weighs 2.8 pounds, go for it. If you think you’d want something even lighter, i woudl advice for the Asus 1008P-KR, which 0.3-0.4 pounds less, also great keyboard, but 150 bucks more
Thanks! However, according to a review I found, the Asus 1008 only lasts for 3-4 hours with a single battery.. that’s a bit on the edge for me. Anyother recommendations?
(I still have to check the Toshiba out btw)
Yeah, i know. But it comes with two batteries, so… Not sure about other recommendations… you could wait for the Asus 1018p which will enter the market soon enough, that one will be a great pick too, but will cost around 450.
I’m looking for a netbook and one of my big items is the embedded broadband which I have now in my laptop with Verizon.
Are there any netbooks that have this feature?
Assuming most of the other features are available.
I’ve searched 4 long b/4 I met ur site.I wish U culd also take on UMPCs and MIDs & smartphones.Please try a review on samsung N230 10” netbook.Also tell us where to get 6 cell battery version of this samsung.Thanks.You’re my best so far.
Ned, here’s the post about the N230: http://www.tlbhd.com/samsung-n230-review-and-comparison-to-the-n210-and-n220-4514/ . haven’t included this one in this post yet, because I’ve yet to find the 6 Cell battery versions in the US. IT seems that Samsung only sells that one in Europe for now.
And I might have info on UMPCs and MIDs from time to time, but I doubt I will write about smartphones here. Too much ground to cover and I’m the only author on the blog
Considering that all these things are built in China by people being paid slave wages, these corporations could lower the prices on these netbooks. They still cost too much, IMO, especially when you consider it probably cost the corporation $8 in a day’s wages for a Chinese slave factory worker to stick it together!
i currently own a toshiba satellite that’s been doing great these past two years (the only repairs on it so far was for water damage in the hinge after some severe flooding) so i am looking to get another toshiba for my first netbook.
even with the newer models coming out from other manufacturers, do you think the NB305 is still a superior choice? also, what would you rather purchase: an NB305 or a Vaio W? do you have any other model suggestions from other japanese manufacturers (sorry, it’s a personal fetish/failing
)?
i’d appreciate any input — thanks!
Rochelle, the Vaio W is 25% more expensive than the Toshiba and it really doesn’t bring anything better, except the display perhaps, if you’re into HD 10 inch screens. That’s why I’m not one of its fans and that’s why i did not include it here.
Right now I would go for that Asus 1015PEM like I said. Still, the Toshiba is good pick also (was my top one for many months), although I would expect if possible for the updated version with the dual-core N550 processor. It won’t be a lot faster, but every little bit matters on these low-performance devices…
As for other Japanese netbooks, not, there aren’t any worth your time right now.
thank you for this update.cannot wait when’ll be upgrade for Toshiba Mini Machine..
there a bit too much info to be fair (you first talk about price, then autonomy, then design, then confort)…but I recon this is a Huge help in this netbook jungle. Thanks Mike for the review.
Since I’m really looking for massive autonomy and maximum storage capacity could you advise the latest “good deal”(for a reasonable price 250-350 euros)?
Thib, the 1015PED/PEM offer the best battery life and both can be found with 320 GB hard-drives
I know this is off the mark, but how does the iPad compare to netbooks generally? This site is extremely helpful. I struggle with comparisons of tech and you’ve brought it down to a level I can begin to grasp. Thank you.
which is the best netbook on basis of overall performance. I am having lot of confusion in selecting the netbooks. As per reviews, ASUS 1015PEM seems to Good. Any any one can justify on this.
Harsha, the 1015PEM and 1015PN are the ones you should consider when speaking about power. The words about each of them in the post below should help you understand why.
Mike, I should commend you for taking the time to share your knowledge here. Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for this – we’re new to the idea of netbooks, but after our 10-year-old asked for a laptop (for online gaming, YouTube watching), this seems like the route to go. Of course we’d like to pay as little for it as possible – which netbook would fit that bill? Seems from your reviews all would be equally qualified. I’m not worried too much about battery life – he can plug in and play near an outlet.
Again, thanks for your write up. This is the best place I’ve found so far, and appreciate that you’re updating your info.
What are your thoughts on the overall performance/value of the Samsung N230 Series N230-11? Amazingly thin netbook, for sure…
I like it, I’ve spoke about it here: http://www.tlbhd.com/samsung-n230-review-and-comparison-to-the-n210-and-n220-4514/ However, you can’t get it with a 6 Cell in the US which is really a bummer.
VERY nice Mike and the updates are much appreciated to keep it current. May I suggest a spreadsheet format summary to more easily compare features across computers?
Brad, thanks for the feedback, I’ll try putting something like this together soon
Great review, really helped me narrow down choices! I’m considering ASUS 1015PEM for my 10-yr old, what is difference between 1015PEM-MU17 ($329) and 1015PEM-PU17 ($369)?
I believe the differences are: no bluetooth in MU17, shorter battery life (10 hrs MU17 vs 13 hrs PU17); and no USB 3.0 port in MU17 (MU17 has 3 USB2.0, and PU17 has 1 USB3.0 and 2 USB2.0).
Amazon.com was sold out of the MU17 on 12/16, but has them back in stock today!
What about the quality and ussefulness of EZ netbook with supposedly suggested retail for 499 offered free with IHeater purchase plus shipping?
hai mike,i’m little bit confuse about asus 10 inch netbook.what are the differences among EEEPC 1001P
Asus 1015PED
Asus 1015PEM
Asus 1015PN .
Aminisesta, see the words about each of the in the post. Also, see the posts about each of them.
For short though:
1001P – entry level cheap version
1015PED – mainstream version
1015PEM – mainstream version + dual core N550 processor
1015PN – poweful version – dual-core N550 CPU + Nvidia ION graphics (perhaps the most powerful netbook on the market right now)
With the new mini Netbooks introduced at the 2011 CES, would you recommend Toshiba or HP (price range in the 300′s)? Thanks–
CKK, there are actually almost no new netbooks announced at CES, so nothing is changing in this class for the moment. Changes will come in the 11.6 and 12 inch classes priced around 450-500 bucks and I’ll update those posts in the near future.
I am struggling to find a netbook review that focuses only on touch screens. It seems that the touch/non-touch is the first decision point in choosing a netbook. It is frustrating to sift through reviews that don’t apply to my search.
I see that you are now recommending the Asus 1015PEM over the Toshiba NB305. Can you tell me which one is smaller/weighs less of the two? I am assuming that they are Wi-Fi capable, or is there anything extra I need to get in order to make them Wi-Fi capable? Also, if I am ordering on Amazon, can I upgrade to 2GB through them? – I am unsure of how to do this.
Both are Wi-Fi capable of course. On Amazon.com you can order an extra 2 GB memory module and you’ll have to install it yourself, It’s actually very easy.
Both of them are actually pretty much teh same in erms of weight, around 2.7-2.8 pounds with a 6 cell battery. I would go for the PU17 as this one comes with a bigger battery than the MU17 version.
With regards to the Asus 1015PEM, would you recommend the PU-17 or the MU-17?
How About Inspiron Duo ?
It’s 10″, HD LCD, Hybrid with tablet mode. Nice built. It’s on expensive side, but good quality N550/2GB/320HD/GPS.
Haven’t read anything about a netbook with ability to play video smoothly. Don’t really care about price but large hard drive and at least 2 gb mem would be good. USB ports. 8-11 hours battery. Any recommendations. Was told to look for video memory 256, systek bus 667 mhz, intel graphics media accelerator but bottom line is I just would really like a recommendation for a small netbook 10 inch screen, big hard drive that can play video smoothly and is light weight. thanks
Mike H, you won’t find anything like that. The fastest 10 inch netbook is the asus 1015PN, can play HD content and some clips. However you’ll only get around 5-6 hours of life, and that while running basic apps.
If you want something for gaming,m you can also check the Alienware M11x. it’s slightly bigger than a standard netbook and battery life is poor, but besides that is pretty good
Forgot to mention that Asus 1018 was choppy video and I returned it.
mike
Thanks Mike. I really did want a small netbook. Do you know if the Asus 1015PN can play video from a website like Hulu. Looking for a small device to travel with bring movies or connect to hotspots and watch movies from sites like Hulu. Or… should I wait 6-8 months for some next generation of better mini netbooks. Thanks
Yes Mike, it can play Hulu. THere are also these new devices with AMD Fusion onboard, perhaps you can check them out too. I’m looking to get my hands on them pretty soon and will update this post once I’m convinced they are actually good
I look forward to hearing back from you on the performance of the AMD Fusion and what devices have that built-in. I’ve marked my post here to email me when you send an update after seeing the performance yourserlf. One final question. Do you know why the Asus 1015PN would play Hulu video smoothly when the 1018PB I tried was really choppy?
Will play Hulu because it has a better processor and way better graphics
Hi, I’m in the market for a netbook and have since read many reviews. What would you recommend? And what’s the difference between Asus 1015PEM and Asus 1015PN?
Cheers.
Charlie, the answer for your question is inside this post and also there’s one of my comments speaking exactly about it.
Sweet Mike thanks, I didn’t read some of the earlier posts but now sorted!
Rock on…
Mike, What is Asus’ newest netbook? All the numbers are kinda confusing. Thanks.
The newest is perhaps the 1001PX (not included here yet). Still, all the ones in here are current models still on sale, so it’s not really important which is the latest, but which is the best for what you need
I am ready to purchase the Asus 1015PEM PU-17. However, I read about the ASUS 1015PW – the article says that it is basically the ASUS 1015PEM, but with a different shell design. Is this true? First and foremost, I want the best notebook – the shell is obviously secondary. However, if it’s the same computer with a different shell, I might consider it.
Yea, it’s the same computer with a different shell. However it’s not yet available and i don’t know exactly when it will be…
Hi Mike, how about the ASUS Eee PC 1015PN Netbook With Intel Atom N570 Processor? Is it much better? what about the price?
which laptop is better hp mini 310-3549tu or acer aod255e-n578q…please help me to choose…thanks
Sharon, can’t say which is better for you. And i couldn’t find that particular model on HP Mini. Still, based on the fact that the Acer you mentioned comes with n570 and 2 GB of memory in the listings i found online, plus 8 cell battery, that’s almost the best you can get on a 10 incher these days. And this particular Acer Aspire One series is quite solid built and reliable, so I doubt you would feel sorry for picking a laptop in this line.
I research netbooks frequently and you have the best and most current reviews available. The reviews actually help people make decisions on their netbook purchases. Thank you.
This is a great site. I am in the process or researching a mini for a six week trip to Europe. Last time I lugged an Inspiron 1525 around Europe for three months but this time I’m taking a mini. Thanks for the up to date reviews. I will be comparing them over the next few months finding exactly what I need. Great site. Thanks.
Mike, thank you for a thorough and very thoughtful review. It is probably the best I’ve read in the last week since I have been considering a net book. With all that said I am still a bit challenged to make a decision of the move is right for me as where I live there are few places to see these products and a decidedly limited number of options to see in person. So here is my dilemma.
I have worked on laptops for years. Lat year I stepped up from 15.6″ t a HP dv7 -17″ model. While I am happy with the performance, for my needs, this monster is getting tougher to carry. I fly several times a month and frankly it is impossible to open and work on q 17″ laptop on a plane, at least in coach. Even a 15.6 is very tough. So I am looking for a netbook to use when traveling. I generally run outlook (2007), word, excel (3-5 tabs) and perhaps foxfire at the same time. My fear is that this is too much. As for video, I do not game but do stream you-tube and netflix. I am considering one of the following.
Asus 1015 PME
Samsung NF310
Toshiba 520
Do you think any or all of these would meet my needs? I need a starting pint or to know if I’m wasting my time.
Thanks for your help.
Hey there. All the devices you mentioned are pretty much the same in terms of hardware: Atom N550 cpu, 1 GB of Ram, Windows Starter. Now, I’m not sure if you ever used a netbook before or any other device with such processors.
I always say netbooks are good machines as long as you know what to expect from them. For your needs, they should be OK. However, opening outlook will be slower than on a regular netbook and opening apps in general. As for excel, word, etc, you shouldn’t have any problems with those, unless those excels are humongous, which means it will take some time to load them or switch between tabs.
Also, all these netbooks will support Youtube and Netflix, but only up to 720p (and in some cases 720p clips might not work, based on bitrate).
Now, my advice for you is to shoot a little higher and go for a 11.6 or 12 inch device, preferably something with AMD E-350 hardware inside, like the HP DM1, the Lenovo Thinkpad x120e or the Asus 1215B. They are 15-20% more expensive, but I for one consider them the portable laptops with the best price/features-performance ratio.
There are also posts about 11.6 inch and 12 inch laptops here on the site, you can check them out for more info.
Now, I’m not saying those netbooks you mentioned are bad. No, they are some of the best 10 inchers on the market, but they are designed to be portable and energy efficient, not powerful, that’s why some might hate the everyday performance levels they’re able to offer.
thanks so much for your insights. I’ll let you know what I decide and my experience.
Mike, New thought while I am still making a decision. I would think this applies to all netbooks but certainly those that are Windows based. Is it possible to set up a sync using Active Sync or Windows Mobile Device Center to easily pass files back and forth. If a netbook is not your primary pc it is most likely a secondary. In my case something light to do work travel with. Initially I was thinking of using an SD or thumb drive to move files back and forth or copy via network sharing, but if it was possible to set up an automatic sync like with my mobile phone that would be sweet. Any insights?
That is surely possible.
I for one use Dropbox.com for syncing some folders between multiple computers (i have two desktops and two laptops i usually use
). I can also sync it with my iPad or an Android phone. It’s free for 2 GB of storage and you have to pay if you need more space. But it also saves a copy of your files online and that’s quite nice, as a dual backup.
I am looking for cheap net book, not able to decide which one to buy. Any help will be highly appreciated ^^
Erfaan. did you check out list of cheap netbooks: http://www.tlbhd.com/cheap-netbooks-4819/
Hi Mike, I’ve narrowed teh field as best i can but now need some guidance. My budget tops out about about $350 and I’ve narrowed the hunt to tow models, Asus 1015PN MU17 with N550 and NIVIDIA Ion graphics or Asus 1215P MU17 with same processor but GMA 1350. The 1015PN has more bells, like Bluetooth, HDMI and longer battery life while the 1215P has presumably slower graphics but larger real estate. Unfortunately I can not find a 12″ netbook to physically look at for comparison. Both models, with a an upgrade to 2GB DDR3 will run me about $350 delivered. I do not mid teh small screen but am a bit concerned about the smaller keyboard since I have not been able to do a head to head comparison.
Since you have hands on with both, for the same money should I go for greater graphic and features or more real estate. As noted before, main use is business apps ( word, Excel and pdf) surfing and streaming movies on netflix.
Help Please
well, can’t you get any 10 inch eee pc? they should be available in stores? The keyboard on the 1015PN is identical to the one on all the 1015 line.
ON the 1215P it is also definitely a little bit larger, it’s a full-size, while on 10 incher is a 93% of a full-size one.
Howeve,r are you aware of the limitations you get on the 1015PN with Windows 7 Starter? This OS does not support Optimus so you don’t get that good battery life unless you upgrade to HOme Premium. And given the needed 2 Gigs memory upgrade as well, will get you way past your budget…
Yes, I had checked out a couple of 10″ models, Acer and Asus. I found some of the keys more of a challenge on the Acer than on the Asus, Particularly right shift and back space. As youc an tell from my note above I suffer from “fat finger” even though my hands are not that big.
I did not realize about the the Windows 7 Starter vs Optimus. That really sucks. I found an Asus 1215B with Window 7 HP, for about $40 more. Would you recommend I spend the extra and go with that model? I was pretty excited about the 1015PN until you gave me the bad news;-(
if that 1215b comes with AMD e-350 APU than yes. see my review for that unit here on the site
Thank you so much for your review on netbooks! I read so many online reviews that were not helpful and did not bring me any closer to making a decision. You broke down the options so clearly with the 3 categories and your choices seem spot on. Thanks again!
wow, what a nice site. thanks for the info. i really need these this time that i’m planning to buy a new netbook. more power to you!
Mike, On the Amazon website it shows that the ASUS Eee PC 1015PX-MU17-RD is the updated version of the ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM-MU17-WT which is reviewed above. Is that correct, and would it be safe to say that your review would cover both models? Thank you.
Yes, the 1015PX is the successor of the 1015PEM. I will replace add it to the list asap. IN the meantime, you can find my review for the 1015px here: http://www.tlbhd.com/asus-eee-pc-1015px-review-solid-in-every-possible-way-8648/
Thanks Mike. That’s the one I will be getting. I appreciate all the great info on this site.
Thank you so much for putting this together for me. You seem to really know the market and you have saved me a tremendous amount of time.
Your reviews are great however, im in great need of the samsung N150 battery. Would you mind telling me the price?
Hey Mike love your site on netbooks however I noted the first solar powered samsung netbook did not appear in your list is there anything we should know about this
well, because it’s not that good to be mentioned in here
Hi Mike! I’ve been visiting this site quite a lot these days, not only because you are so handsome, but also it helps a lot
Anyway, my concern is re: intel atom n2600/n2800 netbooks. Please help me. Im torn between SAMSUNG NC110, LENOVO S110 and MSI WIND U180. They all have the same prices but here are the differences:
samsung nc110 – 6600 mah battery, atom n2600
msi wind u180 - 5200 mah battery, atom n2800 (actually US$10 less)
lenovo s110 – 4400 mah battery, atom n2800
I’m leaning towards samsung nc110 because of the 6600 mah, but im bothered by n2600. However, I’ve learned that it has a 3.5W TDP so it might still be better. Is the difference between n2600 vs n2800 that big? Is the 0.23ghz in clockspeed difference and 200mhz graphics base frequency difference with them is noticeable in everyday use such as playing facebook games, watching youtube videos and playing downloaded 720p videos?
Thanks so much in advance! I trust your advice
For a long time looked for a good site to speak the truth about netbooks. Congratulations, this site is great. I’ve had two netbooks. First in 2009 had an EEE PC 1000HE, I was very happy with the purchase. In 2011 I switched to an ASUS 1015PE, but not really liked his performance. This week I am about to buy my third netbook. I am thinking of Asus 1015BX (AMD c50) or1025C(n2800).The difference is 50 euros. How do you think about these two netbooks. What would be the best option with HDMI to the value from 260 to 310 euros in the European market?
Mike. Thanks for the great reviews here. One of the best sites I’ve found so far.
With the rise of tablets it does look like the niche for netbooks is getting smaller, but they definitely still serve a need. I’m on the lookout for one to take along traveling and though I have a tab as well, I need a real keyboard (or drive myself mad typing on touchscreen).I’m trying to decide between the 1015px (and upgrade it to 2gb) or the 1025ce. Based on your experience, which one would you go for? The upgraded 1015px or the more recent 1025ce. I won’t be using it for anything heavy, just some browsing, docs use and uploading pictures.
Both of them are good. The 1025Ce is a bit snappier and offers way better graphics, thus you’ll be able to play HD content on it. There’s also HDMI output. But you don’t seem to care about these.
With that in mind, the screen, keyboard and trackpad (with some differences) are the same.
The 1025CE is slightly redesigned but the older PX wasn’t bad either. It did get a glossy screen bezel though…
So, your pick. I don’t know how much you’d have to pay for the 1015PX these days but if it’s let’s say 30-50 bucks cheaper than the newer version, you could consider it if you want to save cache. If the price gap is smaller, go for the 1025CE.
So, the only reason to pick the older PX would be to save some money.
This is a great site, fantastic information.
Here’s my question/situation: I’m a first-time netbook buyer, and am trying to decide among available options – which are not so numerous, since I live in Tanzania.
Currently, my best options appear to be either an Acer D270 (local cost around US$360) or a Samsung NC110-P01NG (local cost $450).
I would be very grateful for any thoughts you could share!
HEi Michael.
The Samsung is better built, looks more stylish, has a better keyboard and a matte display (hopefuly I’m right, for that particular model, I haven’t got to test it but I did test older NC110s). The Acer is a cheaper device and I’m not really fond of it’s keyboard, glossy exterior and glossy display. If you can afford it, go for the Samsung. Otherwise, the Acer shoudl do it.
One more thing, I know taht you can upgrade memory on the Acer, but I’m not sure on the Samsung…
The $450 price is for the upper end Samsung – so it already has the memory upgrade to 2gb, as well as the faster ATOM (1.86 ghz) and the bigger 500 GB HDD. My understanding was that net books usually max out the memory at 2gb – is that correct? Or did you mean that the Acer memory could be upgraded even further than that?
And I certainly agree about the keyboards – I’ve now taken an in-person look at both and the Samsung is far superior.
Thanks again for your advice.
The new generation netbooks built on Intel’s CedarTrail platforms (Atom N2600 and N2800) can take up to 4 GBs of RAM. However, in order to use all of them, you’ll need a 64 bit OS, and the drivers for the Atom CPU on 64 bit Windows 7 are awful. So, this means even if you’ll get 4 GBs of ram inside the unit, you’ll only be able to use 3 of them on the “working” 32 bit Windows.
so i’ve been reading netbook reviews for days and i’ve narrowed it down to an asus.
i have a few questions though and was hoping that you could help out.
i’m thinking either 1025c/1025ce or the 1015b.
i understand that if i upgrade windows then i can put more than 1 gb of ram inside?
is this true for the 1025 series as well?
and i don’t really care about the price, i’d just like to get the best computer.
which one would you recommend?
thanks!
Cole, unfortunately with the 1025c/ce things are complicated and it’s very very difficult to upgrade the memory. If you can find the new Samsung NC110 with Intel Atom N2800, i think that’s the one I would recommend right now
well, very good post. kindly tell me something about dell notebooks. is it good to purchase dell mii 10 or similer one.
I don’t have a lot of experience with Dell mini laptops so i can’t tell you many things about them. They are good, i just find them a bit too bulky and overpriced. If you’re interested in a particular model, post it in here and maybe I can provide some extra insight on it.
Hi Mike!
Samsung NC110 with intel atom N2600 or HP Mini 210 with intel atom N2800?
Is the 1.6Ghz vs 1.86Ghz be a huge difference? (i.e. slower speeds)
Max
I’d take the HP. It’s not really a big difference between the two, but the N2800 also comes bundled with faster graphics and at this level, every bit of extra speed counts
hi Mike, this is really a very informative site
i need ur help, actually i am a researcher and need a netbook for writting thesis so netbook should have nice kyeboard, portable, faster browsing speed, cheaper, good storage capacity and in different colours…… plz help me in selecting it
what do u think about Asus EEE PC 1015PN
It’s good, but it’s an older generation laptop. You should also Check the Samsung NC110 or the HP 5103, they have very good keyboards as well
thanx mike…
Do you know if the Asus 1025 machines can stream 1080p HD video smoothly from the BBC’s iplayer website? If you’re not in the UK you may not be able to test this but I’m trying to identify a machine that can do this and has long battery life. (If it’s not too sluggish without upgrading memory, that would be an advantage too.) But I’ve had little success in finding a website that gives information on streaming iplayer. Have you been able to try it? Any recommendations would be welcome.
Hey John, sry, i can’t test that particular player since I no longer have the 1025s around. In theory the 1025ce with the N2800 and 2 GB of RAM should handle that easily… in practice, I don’t know, there might be issues with these third party players.
I for one tried youtube and vimeo, 1080p, and they worked fine. But I don’t know what o say about that. I know that HD Hulu was a bit sluggish on this platform though, but at the time I tested these, the drivers were still quite young
Just to clarify my earlier post, the reason I want to stream 1080p video is to feed it onto an HD television. (Obviously, the benefit of 1080 video is going to be imperceptible on a 10 inch netbook screen!)
I heard that there is a mini notebook 10 inch from dell it comes with core i3. Is this true and if so would you please give me the number of the module. VERY USEFUL ARTICLE BIG THANKS
no, there’s no 10 incher with a Core I processor, you’ll only find those on 12 inch and bigger devices. Plus some expensive 11.6 inchers
Any sign of the 1025B or 1025BX from Asus yet? I keep checking back on this page every few weeks.
I’m looking to replace my aging Eee 901 with something that can play HD video, has USB 3 slots, and upgradable memory.
Mike, what is your opinion on the MSI notebooks?
I’m not really fond of them but there are some decent models. Which particular MSI laptop are you looking at?
Hey Mike, great site!
I’m looking to buy a 10in netbook with an n2800 processor. I can’t decide though between these brands:
Toshiba
HP
Samsung
Acer
Asus
Out of those listed, assuming they’re all dual-core with n2800, which would you recommend? I’m not too picky about the keyboard, but would like good battery life.
And do you think it’d be better to buy them brand new, or used?