"Was cheap" and then no mention of price?? No fair. Anyway, that sounds like the costco one for $399. Could be good, but I thought the ones running linux were better and that was the whole point.

Anyway, I know some folks using Acer netbooks ($300) and think they're great.

Also, New York Times (or was it the Wall Street Journal??) reviewed a couple of them 2 or 3 weeks ago.

I think these have their place in a niche market, but I wonder if they're not a "passing fancy"? I certainly would not buy one as my only computer. For someone who only does e-mail and surfs the web, they might be great, but not for me.

there is a thread some where on here from a while back discussing them if you want to search for it.

They are not for me, unless one was given to me. Just too small my old messed up hands could not work those small keyboards.

I would have a linux one if I ever considered getting one.
The MSI Wind would be my choice.
For those that travel a lot for their biz it would be easier to tote than a large laptop so in those cases would have a niche.

if you need it for traveling, great or if you just want it for a new toy.....go for it....lol

I have a Dell mini with a wireless connection, and find it to be very handy to carry around when I need it in another room or outside. I also like it because it is not a pain to carry when I'm traveling. It boots up and is ready to go in less than 45 seconds running XP, and the battery life is about 6 hours. The only disadvantages are: 1) the screen is small-ish because the computer is small, 2) for some people the keyboard is a little tight (although I find it comfortable), 3) the hard drives are small (mine is 16 GB solid state), but I don't store a lot of crap on any of my computers so this is not an issue for me, and 4) netbooks do not come with a CD/DVD drive, so if you wanted to watch a movie you'd need to download it, or get an accessory drive that plugs into one of the USB ports. Also, when I purchased anti-virus software to put on mine, I didn't download the software, but purchased it as a CD, so I had to copy the software to a flash drive so I could plug that in and install that way.

I wouldn't have it as my only computer, but I definitely prefer it for a lot of tasks. They're becoming increasingly popular as people realize that much of their computer time is spent online or doing word processing rather than doing things like movie editing, playing Doom, or other resource heavy tasks. Right now the computer industry is nervous because they have thrived (like the car industry) on selling huge machines that have a hefty profit margin and have more power and features than we routinely need. Now that you can get a computer that is light, fast, and small for well under $300, the industry's in turmoil. In Asia and Europe, netbook sales are going through the roof, and predictions are that 40 million netbooks will be sold worldwide in 2009.

Jane, the HP Mini is very nice and has gotten good reviews. Below is a link to a recent NYTimes article that reviews several netbooks, including the HP. You can see that the in-store prices are already much less than the list in this article from a month ago.

Here is a link that might be useful: Netbook reviews

Yes but... new cell phones from the last ces might replace them quickly. Although it might be a year before they come out.

I checked out the 10" HP and like it only complaint was the touchpad. My Toshiba touchpad is smooth as sleek for some reason the HP pad had lots of resistance. I like the 10" screen, web cam, keys and quickness. I'm looking for a netbook with Vista and a longer battery life. I bought the 7" Asus EE Pc some time back and returned it the screen was small the keys didn't respond well and I couldn't connect to the internet a known issue. What I like most about the netbook it's COMPACT great to grab and go.

I agree, Mikie. My next cell phone will have wi-fi ability as well as work on a 3-G network, so I'd have access to the Internet without having to lug along a laptop OR a netbook.

As I said before, I think they serve a valuable purpose for some people, but the small keyboard would not work well for arthritic fingers that many of us oldsters have.

It was $369.00 and comes with XP, Open Office, MS Works, Adobe Photo Shop, McAfee (I won't use) and has a 94% full keyboard. I decided to get it.

I can't deal with a Blackberry or other mobile phones because the buttons and screen are too small. This little netbook fits in my purse easily, is 2 lbs and has two USB ports, which I will get a small mouse.

It is so much better than trying to use a phone. I use Go TO My PC and connect to my office computer and this netbook will be perfect for accessing my appointments and files.

My cell phone will be used as a phone. This will be very handy and the battery life is long because it doesn't draw as much power. I just thought the price was too good to pass up. I have 30 days to try it out, but I think it will be so handy even around the house.

Jane

finding one that will run vista will not be easy, they run linux superbly and xp pretty well but vista takes way more to run it and that little Atom processor and the light RAM would drag deadly slow trying to run vista, which is likely why you don't see any pre loaded with vista for sale.

sounds like you made a good decision Jane, I hope you enjoy it and get lots of use from it.

Sony has a pocket notebook, 1.4 pounds, 8 inch display, with Vista. Published retail about 900 and up.

Sony's little pocket milo dropped to about $150 and up.

HP is probably a very good choice for tiny computers as they have had so many hand held items for years and years and those hand helds allways were well respected. Amazing now you can buy a computer for less than some of the old calculators.

jane-
Good for you...I think you will like it. I often grab mine and take it to another part of the house, or even outside to my greenhouse...something I wouldn't bother doing with my big laptop.

kudzu, that sounds like my speed! We have a 15" laptop which is so heavy and bulky I hardly use it as a portable machine. It sits on a desk at home, and I cart it back and forth to work which is a hassle. With the battery it weighs about 10lbs.

I'm thinking this little one could sit on the kitchen table or counter and travel easily around the house. It only has a 3 cell battery, but they rate it as 6 hrs.

We'll see...

Jane

From my observation, netbooks are used and carried where a standard laptop isn't worth the effort or risk of getting it stolen or dropped. They're also great toys for showing photos on a visit to the parents, etc. who would never bother to look at them online.

I just did a 180 in my computer consumer philosophy. In recent months I was mulling the idea of buying a new widescreen laptop to replace my few-year-old desktop and heavier (slower) laptop, thinking it would provide some flexibility for occasional use. But eureka! I now realize it's probably better and no more expensive to splurge on a spiffy desktop PLUS a netbook with a decent keyboard....and maybe a cheap pair of bifocals. (I'm serious, too!)