Best 10 inch netbooks and mini laptops right now
We call netbooks the compact laptop computers with up to 12 inch displays and light body, but still capable of running all you everyday applications and software, while offering good autonomy and being quite affordable.
From all of them, the best balance between mobility, performance and price is offered by the 10 inch mini laptops and this is why they are the most appropriate picks for the majority of users. However, there are lots of different 10 inchers available right now on the market, some better, some worse. That’s why I’ve decided to write this post and tell you a couple of words about the models that stand out from the crowd.
You will notice that specs are pretty much the same for all the devices present in here, because most of them use the same Intel platform. However, there’s more about picking a laptop than specs. You will want to know how well they look, how reliable they are, how comfortable is the keyboard or whether or not they get noisy or hot. This is why i made this list of recommendations, so you’ll know that these devices are good and can meet most of your criteria. The list is based on my experience with these netbooks (I’ve been around them since early 2008) and reviews/opinions from regular buyers, gathered from various online sources. So, let’s see what are right now the best 10 inch netbooks.
Asus EEE PC 1001P – $290 – review in here
This Asus manages to provide an excellent price/features ratio. Comes with standard specs (N450 processor, 1 GB of memory, 160 GB hard-drive) and good battery life (up to 11 hours on paper, more like 8 in practice) and is also very solid built, with a matte textured casing that will deal perfectly with fingerprints or scratches.
However, unlike more expensive devices, this one only offers a standard flat keyboard, which is good but not as comfortable as an ergonomic chiclet one. Also, in terms of connectivity, you only get Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Gigabit Ethernet. The base versions does not get Bluetooth, but there is an upgraded one which does.
All in all, the Asus 1001P is a good buy. Goes right now for around $290 an is available in white, black, blue or pink. The version equipped with Bluetooth and bigger 250 GB hard-drive currently goes for around $300, so is also a good pick. All those prices include Free Shipping within the US borders and you can always read more details about the Asus EEE PC 1001P in this review.
Asus EEE PC 1001P
Samsung N150 – from $279
The Samsung N150 is another 10 inch display worth buying, especially if you plan to spend a lot of your time on the road. Unlike the 1001P, it also brings a matte screen along the matte body, and this time the casing is not textured but silky smooth, with a nice rubberized finish that feels quite nice.
The Samsung N150 sells for $279 – $330 in the US ( with Free Shipping included), depending on the version you’ll pick. Notice than not all of them come with the matte casing, as the pink, yellow or red ones are glossy, while the blue and matte are definitely matte. However, the device looks great and if you wan to use your netbook outside, that matte screen is a must.
Also, this Samsung comes with chiclet keyboard and better webcam, plus Wireless N connectivity, but battery is smaller so autonomy only stretches to around 6 hours in real life use.
Samsung N150, with matte or glossy versions
Asus EEE PC 1005PE-M – around $329
The bigger brother of the 1001P, the Asus 1005PE-M EEE PC comes with a couple of extra goodies. First, it has faster Wi-Fi N wireless, 92% chiclet keyboard with individual keys and is somewhat more beautiful and solid built.
However, unlike the 1001P, this one comes with a complete glossy casing, which, while looking very good, is incredibly sensible to fingerprints, scratches and smudges.
Still, if you like the glossy exterior, the 1005PE is a very solid pick, comfortable and reliable. And with a discounted price of around $329 (with shipping included), it’s no wonder it’s such a popular device right now. Plus, you can get it in white/black/pink or with Kindle for PC installed at not extra cost.
Asus EEE PC 1005PE-M
Toshiba NB305 – from $330 to $370
The Toshiba NB305 is right now the most popular netbooks in the US and my personal favorite. It brings similar hardware to the best other 10 inch netbooks available, with N450 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 250 GB hard-drive and top notch connectivity. And while some might not consider it as good looking as the EEE Seashells, the Toshiba Mini NB305 is very solid built. Plus, based on my experience with the previous generation, it is also very reliable.
And last but not least, the Toshiba is the most comfortable of all. The lightly textured casing is available in a multitude of colors and is resistant to scratches, the screen is good, although still glossy and the metallic feel keyboard plus trackpad with two click buttons is the best combo present on a 10 inch netbook at the moment.
The Toshiba NB305 is available in a couple of different versions, with prices ranging from $300 to $370. You can check them out by clicking the link and see the very good marks and review received from regular buyers, which managed to bring this mini laptop on the top of bestsellers lists on big webstores like Amazon or Newegg.
Toshiba NB305 - most popualr and my favorite
Asus EEE PC 1005PE-P – around $365
The Asus EEE PC 1005PE-P is and has been for quite a while one of the most popular netbooks in the United States, next to the Toshiba Mini. It’s similar in looks to the other 1005PE-M present above, but it also offers Bluetooth, bigger storage and battery, capable of up to 14 hours battery life (more like 11 in practice, but this performance still makes it the best in the 10 inch class).
The 1005PE-P is available in a couple of different colors and goes for around $365, with shipping included within the US.
Also, while the standard 1005PE-Ps are glossy, there’s also another version with a matte soft-exterior casing, way better in dealing with scratches and fingerprints. It’s not a lot more expensive, as it sells for $375 w/ Shipping , but is only available in Black.
Asus 1005PE-P, also available with a matte casing
Asus Touch EEE T101MT – $485
Unlike all the other netbooks above, the Asus T101MT is a tablet 10 incher, with a convertible touchscreen. Thus, it can be used like a standard netbook, as it comes with a keyboard and all, but also the screen can be swiveled in order to transform the device into a slate.
Having this function adds a lot to your everyday experience with the device, browsing or watching movies being an absolute pleasure while in tablet mode. Also, you can use it to take notes or sketch different things with the included pen. Besides this, the Asus T101MT looks very nice, with a black matte finish and incredible attention to details.
However, it is sometimes sluggish, as the poor Atom hardware inside can’t really keep pace with all the demands of the touch interface. Still, for every day tasks, it should do just fine.
The Asus T101MT goes for around $480 w/ Shipping included in the US these days. You can get it from here, where you’ll also find more details, pics and reviews from regular users who bought it and posted their opinions about it online.
Asus T101MT tablet with covertible toushcreen
Sony Vaio W – $449
Last but not least in our list of top netbooks is the Sony Vaio W. Being a Vaio, it is by definition amazing looking and extremely solid built. It comes in a couple of different colors and the most appreciated are the white and pink ones. Plus, the entire casing of the Vaio W, both outside and around the screen and keyboard is matte, so scratch and smudges resistant.
Inside you’ll get the best available hardware in the 10 inch netbooks class, with N450 processor, 10 inch HD display (1366 x 768 px), 1 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive, Wi-Fi N + Bluetooth and 6 Cell battery. However, this will only offer up to 8 hours of life, beyond the category’s average.
All in all, the Sony Vaio W is a great pick if you are willing to pay its price. Like most Vaios, it is expensive, as it goes for $449 right now. That is 20% more expensive than other devices, but the quality of the end product you’ll get kind of justifies it.
Sony Vaio W with great looks , solid build and HD display
Conclusions
That’s about it for now. These are at the moment the best options for quality 10 inch netbooks and mini notebooks. As you can see, there are cheaper and more expensive versions, matte or glossy ones and many color options, so theoretically there’s something for everyone’s taste in here.
Still, this list will suffer changes in time, as new and better devices will enter the market. Thus, don’t forget to check it out from time to time I’f you looking to get a 10 inch mini laptop in the near future.
Also, comments and opinions are always appreciated, so don’t hesitate to post your comments.
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