Netbooks still split opinion – do they provide enough power for your needs? Still more of a second PC rather than a primary machine, there's no doubt that since the Asus Eee PC burst onto the scene the netbook market has exploded. And we've picked out our favourite models to suit you – whatever your budget.
Windows 7 Starter Edition is supposed to be the de facto operating system for netbooks now, but many are still available featuring Windows XP. Although Starter Edition is a more limited version of Windows 7 than the more common Home Premium, it's a misconception that it won't run as many applications as you like.
It has no problem running multiple apps. What it does lack is the flowery Aero effects as well as Windows Media Center and other superfluous bits.
10.1-inch is now the sweetspot in terms of size, but you'll find various models with 11.6-inch screens among our picks too.
Prices of netbooks have also crept up, but although many models are available for £350 and more, we've dug out a few options for £250 and less. Most of the models we look at here use Intel's Atom processor, though we've also chosen an excellent AMD Vision-powered Acer.
Thin and light netbooks featuring ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processors are also becoming more commonplace, but these are at the costlier end of the market and are more ultraportable than netbooks. Still, we've picked out some of these as well – if you can afford them.
Under £250
Our pick of the sub-£250 deals is this 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One 531 netbook from PC World. At £249.99, it represents decent value for money with the 1.6GHz Atom N270, 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive and Windows 7 Starter Edition, while the same spec Advent Milano is also available from Currys.
You can also get the Acer model from Currys and PC World with Windows XP for £220. There's also a £250 Windows XP-toting Acer model available at Comet,
The similar Samsung N130 with Windows XP is also available at Comet for £230.
Roughly the same spec is available on a Dell Inspiron Mini 10v also from PC World or Currys for £250 but with Windows XP. There's also the Acer Aspire One D250 which comes with both Windows XP and Android for £239 from Amazon.
With this price point readily available, Samsung's N140 (£288) and Windows XP-toting NC10 (£270) also from PC World just don't make sense.
In contrast, what does make sense is the awesome Asus 1005HA Eee PC Seashell which you can get for £239 from Amazon with the same spec as the Acer Aspire above but with Windows XP.
Under £300
LaptopShop.co.uk have some good deals, including a Toshiba NB200 for just over £250. The site is also offering some cashback deals, so pop along and check them out, too.
Our pick of this price range is the Asus 1005HA Eee PC Seashell but with Windows 7 Starter Edition at £260. It's definitely worth the extra £20 over the above model. You can also get an upgraded version – the 1008HA for £309. Both deals are from Amazon.
Under £400
At this price point you're really moving towards notebook pricing, but you also get some tremendous performance for your money. What about the AMD Vision-based Acer Aspire One Ferrari from Save on Laptops for £395?
The extra cash powers the Acer into a different universe. It's nippy to use, graphically better than the other machines here and we love the trackpad, mouse button and spacious keyboard. Also a few quid cheaper is the Packard Bell variant of the same model the dot m/u (£379) – as PB is now owned by Acer, which also offers a good spec.
Also with HD-capable graphics is this Samsung N510 at Play.com. Nvidia's Ion chip is on-board and although we'll see a lot more of these over the coming months, the N510 is an excellent start, with a nicely sized keyboard and general laptop-style demeanour.
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Liked this? Then check out A to Z of netbooks: every major netbook tested
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