Of course, there are premium netbooks around that stand out of the crowd and we’re going to talk about them in this article. These machines range from 10 inch to 12 inch in size and pack features usually encountered on larger computers, but you’ll have to pay extra for them. This goes against the ultra cheap, ultra portable credo of the netbook, but if you want more than just browsing the web and watching the occasional Youtube video, you might be willing to spend a little extra. Taking it slow…

Powerful 10 inch netbooks

We start right at the bottom. The 10 inch netbook. It’s the type of mini laptop that packs very basic hardware, conceived to deal with browsing, very light productivity work, like a text editor or an Excel sheet and listening to some music. You can buy a new 10 inch netbook for as little as $199, but now we’re going to talk about those that set different standards when it comes to performance. And by different we mean higher.

The 1015B goes just over the mediocrity edge, being the less impressive of the awesome 10 inchers It packs a C-50 AMD Fusion APU that comes with integrated HD video, namely ATI’s Radeon HD 6250, which will be able to share up to 256 MB of system memory and decode HD content. Think more 720p running decently rather than flawless 1080p, but it’s still a major step forward from the single core Atom processor which were able to run 480p. The netbook also has 2 GB of RAM (can support up to 4 GB) and a 6 cell battery, wrapped up in a package going right now for 279 bucks on Amazon. If you like it, order fast, as stocks are almost depleted right now.

Asus 1015B

The Toshiba NB550D packs the same hardware as the 1015B, but comes with a great set of speakers, namely stereo Harman Kardon speakers. It’s probably the best audio system to ever land on a netbook and will complement the HD playback the C-50 on board can deliver. Also, you get a battery able to go on a single charge for around 8 hours and a very appealing patterned design on the lid, something like a granulated wallpaper. Not all surprising, this setup costs a little more, namely 329 pounds on Amazon.

Toshiba NB550D

The Asus 1015PX changes the game a little and ditches entertainment for productivity. While AMD’s APUs are good for playing videos, they’re not very solid when it comes to multitasking. The 1015PX comes with a dual core, Atom N570 CPU, which can deal with multiple open apps better than most processors in its class, like the N550 or entry level Brazzos CPUs.

As for video playback, we found the 1015PX able to play 720p video, both local and streamed, pretty well, while 1080p played decently only streamed from Youtube in Flash format. The 1015PX goes for $298 right now, but consider investing in a supplementary 1 GB of RAM alongside the stock 1 GB you get out of the box.

Asus 1015PX

The Samsung NF310 brings to the table one of the most interesting designs to ever appear on the netbook market. It has a curvy design, similar to the curves of a shark’s body, and comes with a distinctive HD screen, which has a resolution of 1366 x 768 px. Pair that with the dual core N550 Atom CPU and you’ve got yourself a very suitable netbook for both work and play.

Samsung NF310

A less stellar Samsung netbook is the NC110, which comes with a N455 single core CPU and 1 GB of RAM. It balances the rather modest processor with premium SRS sound and a 10 hour battery, which make it more suitable as a fancy (and big) music player If you really want this netbook, make sure you have $329.99 to spare.

Samsung NC110

We’re finishing this section on a high note with the 1015PN. This netbook is still one of the best choices you’ve got when shopping for a strong 10 incher, even almost a year after launch. The dual core Atom N570 processor is backed up by dedicated ION 2 graphics, a setup that surpasses the C-50 APU on the 1015B, being a decent solution for HD playback and some very light gaming.

Add to that the 9.5 hours battery and you’ve got a netbook that kind of has it all. The 1015PN goes for $299 right now, which is 20% less than the usual price.

Asus 1015PN

Top 11.6 to 12 inch netbooks

Bigger means better, as larger netbooks pack better hardware, better batteries and use better displays than 10 inchers. The top models in this section are able to compete with mid range laptops when it comes to performance, but don’t cost as much and won’t take too much room in your bag.

The 1215N is one of the luxury entries in the EEE PC series. Although the quality plastic finish and the sleek body make this netbook also a looker, but the true hot stuff is on the inside. The netbook packs the D525 dual core Atom processor clocked at 1.8 GHZ and a dedicated ION 2 video card, which you can switch on or off using Optimus technology. The 1215N supports up to 4 GB of RAM and comes with Windows 7 Home Premium pre installed, all this in a package worth 400 bucks right now on Amazon.

Asus 1215N

The kid brother of the 1215N, the EEE PC 1215B, also offers a very decent experience for a significantly lower price. The 1215B packs the E-350 Zacate APU, which is a dual core processor bundled with on board HD graphics from ATI, a setup able to deal with 1080p video playback and some light gaming, helped by the stock 2 GB of RAM. If you’ll grab this, you should know it works better as an entertainment machine rather than a productivity mini laptop, hence the smaller asking price of $299.

Asus 1215B

The HP dm1z packs the same hardware, but you get an extra 1 GB of RAM out of the box- so 3 in total and a faster, 7200 rpm 320 GB HDD in comparison with the 5400 rpm on the 1215N. The Zacate APU is the same, but you also get the class of the dm1 (it’s basically the same machine, but there’s the “z” inside), which will cost you significantly more, as the dm1z goes for $574.99 on Amazon right now.

HP dm1z

Lenovo’s X120e is a business oriented 11.6 inch netbook that packs that great, traditional Thinkpad design that’s been around for ages, while having on the inside AMD’s Zacate E-350 APU and a very solid 4 GB of RAM out of the box. Add to that a fast 7200 HDD and Windows 7 Professional and you’ve got yourself a top notch netbook worth spending 467 bucks on.

Lenovo X120e

And if you’re willing to spend twice as much on a brand new toy, you should know that the MacBook Air 2011 is out for some time now. It’s still one of the thinnest netbooks around, being 0.68 inch thin, partially thanks to the SSD inside. There’s no HDD option, so expect lighting fast boot times and a better battery life (around 10 hours), as well as a second generation Core i3 or Core i5 dual core processor, 2 GB of RAM and a HD screen with a native resolution of 1366 x 768. As for the price, you won’t too surprised to know that the base model goes for a little under 1000 bucks.

MacBook Air 11.6 inch

The natural anorexic competitor for the MBA is the 11.6 inch version of the Samsung Series 9, which is just as slim- 0.68 inches, but packs less impressive hardware, namely the first generation Core i3 dual core ULV processor and can accommodate a maximum of 2 GB of RAM. You get a similar 64 GB of initial storage like on the MBA, but there’s also the perk of a WIMAX 4G optional module and a USB 3.0 port. This doesn’t sell cheap, as the 11.6 inch Series 9 goes for around $899 on Amazon.

Samaung Series 9

We saved the beast for last and we’re of course talking about the Dell Alienware M11X R3, which is just formally a netbook. It has a 11.6 inch display with a 1366 x 768 resolution, but on the inside it packs hardware worthy of desktop PCs. It features either a Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 processors, up to 16 GB of DDR3 RAM and video card with dedicated 2 GB of memory. This mini laptop is capable of running newer games at decent frame rates and can deal with any kind of apps you might throw at it. The R3 starts at around $800, with the breathtaking configurations costing well over a grand.

Alienware M11x R3

Final thoughts

We hope at least a couple of the netbooks we’ve talked about caught your imagination and entered on your list of options if you’re shopping for a netbook. We had in mind netbooks with above average performance and features like good battery, better screens and perks like USB 3.0 ports or better connectivity. There are solid entries in any size category, from the C-50 powered 10 inchers to the battleship 11.6 inch Alienware. Whether it’s productivity or entertainment, these netbooks can take you through a decent experience and, as long as you keep in mind that these small laptops are not meant to replace a desktop computer, these little weasels won’t disappoint you.

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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 (or AMD) platforms. 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, what to expect in terms of battery life 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.

Affordable and cheap netbooks

If on the market for such a small computer and on a tight budget, here you can find the top picks you can get for under $300. All these devices are brand new, come with warranty and managed to score good marks and reviews with professional testers and regular users, despite their low price point.

So they are good and should be enough for most of your tasks, as long as you don’t expect them to be lightning fast or cope well with multitasking, playing HD video content or games.

Asus EEE PC 1001PXD – $249.99

The 1001P line of netbooks has been around for a while and the 1001PXD is one of its latest members. This Asus manages to provide an excellent price/features ratio. Comes with standard specs (N455 processor, 1 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive) 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/n and Fast Ethernet, so no Bluetooth.

There’s one bad point though: this 1001PXD only packs a 3 Cell battery, so should be enough for only 3 to 4 hours of life and that’s low for a netbook.

But does sell right now for only $249 an is available in white, black or blue. That’s with Free Shipping included so it sounds pretty good.  Of course, the EEE PC 1001PXD does have its weak points, but is overall a sturdy and worthy little machine and considering its price, it’s for sure a great buy.

Asus EEE PC 1001PXD - good value for the money

Toshiba NB505 – $299 $279

As a Toshiba netbook owner i must say they are one of my favorite netbook producers and for good reasons. The NB505 is what they have to offer these days in the affordable range of 10 inch mini laptops and this is a very appreciated product, as it combines solid construction, good performance, ergonomics and battery life in an overall great netbook for its price tag.

In terms of hardware this one is standard: Atom N455 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 250 GB hard-drive, Wireless N, Windows 7 Starter. But unlike other cheap netbooks, comes with a big 6 Cell battery that will last around 6 hours in daily use.

The exterior is covered in some smooth rubbery plastic and feels great; will also deal well with time, scratches and fingerprints. And you have 6 different colors, from the classic Blue and Brown to the funky Orange and Turquoise.You also get a proper sized trackpad and the new Full-size keyboard the guys at Toshiba developed for their 10 inchers, which should be great for those with bigger hands, but will take some time getting used to.

More details are available via this link, where you can find the NB505 on sale, for only $279 with shipping included (list price is $299, so you get a nice discount). You’ll also find the marks and reviews from those who already bought one of these, plus more pics and info.

Toshiab NB505 - best affordable netbook these days

Asus EEE PC 1015B – from $289

The 1015B is the first 10 inch Asus to hit the market with AMD’s new Fusion hardware on board. New platform won’t make the device faster in everyday tasks, but will make it capable of dealing with HD content (including 1080P) and even some popular but older games, like Word of Warcraft or Counter Strike.

There are several configs you can get for the 1015B, starting with the C30 Ontario APU and ending with the dual-core C50, plus 250 GB storage, 1 GB of memory (expandable to 4 on a single slot) and Windows 7 Starter. And a 6 cell battery on top, that should get you around 5-6 hours of daily use every single charge.

Not much to say about exterior and keyboard, as they are identical to the ones you will find on all higher end EEE PCs these days: matte rubbery finish, chiclet keyboard with a good layout, accurate and proper sized trackpad. And there’s also the 10.1 inch matte display, which you’ll mainly find only on EEE PCs these days in this class.

The Asus 1015B goes for $289 right now, for the black version with AMD C30 APU (that’s the entry level AMD platform) and is for sure a great pack if you want a small, portable multimedia companion. More powerful and better equipped versions go above 300 bucks and you can check them out via this link.

Asus 1015B - the cheap multimedia 10 incher

Acer Aspire One AO255E – from $329 $287

While not a big fan of Acer, based on my previous encounters, we’ve seen their devices come a long way in the last years and the portables they have to offer these days are actually very very good, able to compete with devices from Asus, Samsung, HP or Dell, while being cheaper.

The Aspire One AO255E is their most popular model. It comes in a couple of different versions but we’re mainly interested in the top one, boosting a dual-core Atom N550 processor, 1 GB of memory, 250 GB hard-drive and Windows 7 Starter OS. You don’t however get Bluetooth and there’s only a smaller 6 Cell battery installed, capable of around 5 hours of life (8 on paper).

But you only have to pay less than 300 bucks for it, as the AO255E goes online now for only $287 and that makes it the cheapest good netbook with a dual-core Atom N550 processor. See the link for details.

Of course, you will have to stick with the glossy exterior, which actually looks amazing and is available in several different colors, but will scratch and catch fingerprints like crazy. And there’s also the glossy display. Plus, while keyboard is pretty good, trackpad is kind of narrow and sometimes imprecise.

Still, if you want a fast but cheap netbook, this is the one for you. Of course, there are other netbooks that can outmatch it in terms of looks, ergonomics, build construction and features, but none can compete with the Acer Aspire One AO255 in terms of pricing.

Acer AO255E - cheapest option if you want a fast Atom N550D equipped 10 incher

Best 10 inch netbooks

Here are the true best 10 inchers you can get these days with prices ranging from 300 to 400 bucks, although some will pop over the $400 mark because they pack some extra features (see details below).

Still, if you want a solid 10 incher, these are the devices you should consider these days.

Toshiba NB305 -  $379 $329

The Toshiba NB305 is right now one of the most popular netbooks in the US and my personal favorite. It brings similar hardware to the best other 10 inch netbooks available, with Intel Atom N550 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 for $329 these days, with a nice discount and free delivery included. And while this is an older generation 10 incher from Toshiba, it still remains one of the best picks in the class, especially now as it benefits from the hardware upgrade and the price cut. However, I doubt it will last in stocks for long, so better grab one fast.

Toshiba NB305 - most popualr and my favorite

Acer Aspire One AO522 – around $325

Acer also paired with AMD to launch a Fusion based 10 incher and that’s the AO522 we have here. This particular model however ships with the fastest AMD APU designed for netbooks, the C50 (unlike the Asus 1015B presented above), the ones that merges a dual-core 1.0 GHz processor and AMD 6250 graphics on a single chip.

These make the little machine quite snappy in everyday tasks (not snappier than Atom N550 equipped netbooks though), but the real difference is noticeable when dealing with HD content and games. This one can play 1080P video, both streamed and self stored, and can even output it via HDMI. Plus, can handle older but still popular games like WOW, Call of Duty, Counter Strike or Starcraft.

Acer Aspire AO522 - multimedia 10 incher with MD hardware inside

On the outside, the AO522 is identical to all the other Acer 10 inchers available these days, with the glossy exterior, slim body and island keyboard. Boosts the same 6 Cell 4400 mAh battery and the AO255E model, but is only rated at around 6 hours of life, so we should expect 4-5 in real life use.

All these for $329 sound nice. And it’s even cheaper on Amazon.com , where it goes for $325 with Shipping included. See the link for reviews, more and bigger pics and extra details.

So, the AO522 packs AMD Fusion and that should make it a feasible choice if you need a more versatile 10 incher with a nice price tag. Won’t see any differences in every day tasks from a dual-core Atom N550 device, in fact I found the C50 slightly slower, but when dealing with multimedia content and games, this one is far superior. Thus, if you plan on using your 10 inchers for such stuff, the Acer Aspire One AO522 won’t let you down.

Asus EEE PC 1015PEM – $379 $368

The EEE PCs is for sure the most notorious line of netbooks on the market. The 1015PEM is their top mainstream model right now, a device meant to merge design, ergonomics and power in a single perfect laptop.

This one is a bestseller all around the globe, but especially in the US and Europe, as it is a little pricier than most of its competitors. Comes with Atom N550 dual-core processor, 1 GB of memory, 250 GB storage + 500 GB online, Windows 7 Starter, Wireless N and Bluetooth 3.0. Plus, you get a huge 6 cell battery capable of around 10 hours of life on a single charge (13 based on Asus’s tests).

Design wise, this one is nearly perfect. It comes with a soft rubberized exterior available in a bunch of different colors, allowing great grip and capable of dealing well with smudges and scratches. Opening the lid you get the ergonomic trackpad and chiclet keyboard, plus the 10 inch matte display, a feature not very common on netbooks.

All these make the 1015PEM a little bit more expensive than most of the competitors, but we’re sure it is worth every penny of the $379 bucks you’ll have to pay for it. And if you’re living in the US, you can find it online on Amazon.com with a small discount, for only $368, with Shipping included. And there’s also a cheaper model, with a smaller battery and no Bluetooth, going for around $315 . See the links for details, pictures and reviews from owners.

Overall, the 1015PEM is for sure one of the best 10 inchers you can find these days. Too bad though the big battery model is only available in the States.

Asus EEE PC 1015PEM

Asus EEE PC 1015PN – around $430 $350

The 1015PN is for sure the most powerful 10 inch netbook, as it boosts the dual-core Atom N550 processor and Nvidia ION graphics (this makes it capable of handling HD multimedia content and games). It’s even overall better than those devices with AMD Fusion inside.

Asus 1015PN - most powerful 10 inch netbook

Everything else is identical to the 1015PEM, but the powerful hardware will take battery life expectations to only 9.5 hours on paper, so more like 6-7 in real life use.

Price wise, the 1015PN is listed at $430, but you can find it online in the States for as low as $349, and that’s a great deal for sure. See the link for more details.

You will notice it’s even cheaper than the 1015PEM and you’ll ask yourself why, since this one is faster? Well, most users don’t need the better graphics capabilities of this one, as they don’t plan on running 10180p content or games on 10 inchers. They do however need battery life. Plus, in order to properly use this one, you’ll need to upgrade Windows to at least Home Premium version, as the Starter bundled with it prevents the ION graphics from functioning properly (won’t allow Optimus to kick on so you’ll have to change between graphic boards manually). That takes the overall price of the 1015N above 400 bucks, considering the OS update costs.

Still, if you want the fastest 10 incher, this is the device to consider, as long as you upgrade the operating system, get 2 GB of memory on it and replace the hard drive with a faster 7200 rpm one or even an SSD. All these however make the 1015PN a netbook for enthusiasts, rather than one meant for average users.

Samsung NF310 – $399 $384.99

Samsung is known for their electronic products, but not that much for their laptops. With the new series they seem to have struck gold though, as they managed to get them as close to perfection as possible.

The NF310 is their top device in the 10 inch segment and it’s a great mini laptop, starting from design and ending with features. Yes, the exterior is glossy and only available in black (so will scratch and catch fingerprints), but it looks very nice, with that curvy shape.

Opening the lid you’ll notice a very comfortable chiclet keyboard and a proper sized trackpad, plus a matte 10 inch display. However, unlike most 10 inch display found on netbooks, this one boosts HD resolution: 1366 x 768 px so everything will look smoother on it. Also packs decent viewing angles and good brightness levels.

Punchy Atom N550D processor is used, so this device will handle 720p content flawlessly. Of course, 1080p content is still a not match, but you won’t need it anyway since the NF310 lacks an HDMI port. Excellent 3D SRS speakers were also thrown in the mix, alongside a 6 cell battery that can go for 6-7 hours on daily use (up to 9.4 hours on paper).

Now, you probably expect this one to be expensive, but its $399 list price is actually quite good. And Amazon.com even sells it discounted, for $384.99 these days, with Shipping included. See the link for extra info.

All in all, the Samsung NF310 is a great bundle and offers something almost no other 10 incher does: a 10 inch matte HD display. Add the excellent keyboard, powerful hardware, great speakers, nice design and good battery life and you’ll get a winner. Reviews and almost perfect marks scored by the NF310 with experts and regular users also stand prove of its quality. Of course, it could have had a matte plastic or metallic body or Nvidia ION, but those would have made it probably too expensive.

Samsung NF310 - the closest to perfection 10 incher you can find right now

Asus Touch EEE T101MT – $550

Unlike all the other netbooks above, the Asus T101MT is a netbook tablet PC, 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. It packs 2 GB of memory and Windows 7 Professional, but these two to add to the final price.

The Asus T101MT goes for around $550 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

Special mentions

These are some of the netbooks that didn’t quite made it here, mainly because they are not available worldwide, but only in some parts of the globe (mainly in Europe and not in the US) or because we considered them too expensive to actually recommend them. These are great picks as well and should be also considered:

• Toshiba NB520 and NB550D – the superior exponents of Toshiba’s new line of netbooks. First one comes with dual-core N550 Atom processor while the second does come with ADM C50 hardware and a big 6 Cell 61 Wh and is for sure a power horse, especially capable of handling all kind of multimedia content and output it towards and external display. The NB520 is mainly available in Europe for around 300 euros, while the NB550D is only on sale in the UK and some particular eastern European countries for now and goes for around 330 pounds .
• Samsung NF210 – another great looking 10 incher from Samsung, with some excellent keyboard and build quality. Goes for around 250 euros in Germany/France/Italy and packs Atom N550 processor, 6 Cell battery and all the other standard features.
• Dell Mini 1018i - although available in the US with prices starting at $299, I’m not really a fan of Dell 10 inchers, as I (and many others, based on reviews) consider them overpriced and overall poor built. They do have two advantages though: can be configured to your own preferences on Dell’s US site and benefit from Dell’s extensive support and services chain available in the States, just in case something goes wrong with them.
• HP Mini 210 – the Mini 210 is actually a pretty good netbook and is available in the US. However, I find HP’s netbooks to pricey to actually recommend them. For instance, for $329 you can only get the single core N455 processor, black finish and a small battery, while all the devices listed above offer more for a smaller price. You do get to pick your own config on HP’s official site if you’re living in the US, but expect to pay 10-20% extra for one of those configured 210s. And that’s just no worth it in my eyes.

There are other good picks on netbooks as well

Of course, being able to configure your own mini laptop can make them much more versatile. You can equip them with dual-core processors, HD 10 inch display, more memory and faster hard-drives, plus bundle them with extended warranty and software. But these can easily get prices for these above 500 bucks. And who would actually pay that much for a netbook when you can get way better and still portable devices in the 11.6 and 12 inch classes?

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.

I can’t recommend any particular device as they are all good, but if you need help and info on any particular models and situations, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact my be email. I’ll be glad to help you.

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First off, we have the Asus 1025C, packing a 1.66 GHz Cedar Trail N2600 dual-core processor and featuring 1 GB of RAM. That won’t offer exactly the gaming experience of a lifetime, but then again if you need a computer for video games and HD content, the 10-inch netbook market niche should definitely not be your target.

The Asus 1025C sports a 10.1-inch screen with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution and, while we aren’t that surprised by this display in question, we won’t hide the fact that we’re a bit disappointed by it. Other features include a 320 GB HDD, three USB 2.0 ports, WiFi, Ethernet, HDMI and an 0.3 MPx webcam.

The Asus 1025C looks pretty decent and will feature some nice tech specs as well.

In terms of design, this netbook is pretty sleek and slim, weighing in at just 2.7 pounds and measuring 1.3-inches thick. That’s not exactly ultrabook material right now, but it’s pretty darn close and should be easy to carry around. We should also mention that the netbook will be made available in no less than five different models, in gray, blue, red, pink and black.

The Asus 1025C is set to feature a 56 Wh battery, capable of an estimated autonomy of up to ten hours (not bad, not bad at all!) and will hit the market in a few short weeks for 299 dollars.

The second 10-inch netbook from Asus you can check out from the hands-on video below is the X101CH, featuring pretty much the same specs as the 1025C, including the N2600 dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and all those ports and connectivity options.

The X101CH is lighter, cheaper, but comes with a poorer battery.

The Asus X101CH will also sport a 10.1-inch screen with 1024 x 600 pixels resolution, but will in fact be a tad lighter and thinner than its sibling. On the other hand, that six ounces difference in weight is due to the using of a smaller, three-cell battery, only capable of up to four hours of autonomy.

As the Asus 1025C, the X101CH will be up for sale starting next month and will only cost 269 bucks, which is quite decent, if not more affordable than we had hoped.

Don’t forget to check out this short hands-on video of the two 10-inchers from Asus, brought to you exclusively by the guys at netbooklive.com:

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I’m pretty sure the Asus X101CH EEE PC is going to be Asus’s cheapest 10 inch mini laptop in 2012, with prices starting at about 200 bucks. What we have here is a sample unit, as the device is scheduled to hit the stores in February 2012 and will replace the current Asus X101H line. This particular EEE PC series is hardly available in the US, so the successor might as well target mostly developing markets, like eastern Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. But who knows, maybe it will come to the states as well.

On the outside, the X101CH EEE PC is pretty much identical to the current slim EEE PC X101 line. In fact, there are two main differences: the screen has a matte bezel, and on the left side you now get a HDMI port. The rough textured case, the slim shape, the island keyboard and the trackpad haven’t changed a bit, but that’s not a bad thing, as the X101 is one of the most solid built 10 inchers available right now, at least in my eyes. They’re not shinny or stylish, but the matte plastic case does make them way better for rougher conditions, traveling or for handing them to your youngsters.

The Asus EEE PC X101CH is going to be Asus's cheapest netbook in the first part of 2012

The real goodies lie inside this machine, as it boosts the new Intel Atom Cedar Trail processor, with a dual-core Atom N2600 CPU and improved graphics, next to 1 GB of RAM, 320 GB hard-drive and Windows 7 Starter.There’s also good connectivity, a matte 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 px display and 3 Cell battery, all inside a 1 kilo portable notebook.

I haven’t got the chance to play with it for long, as I only have the X101CH on my desk for a couple of hours, but I will get back with more tests and benchmarks. Early impressions are pretty good, the X101CH is decently snappy, especially if you’re going to compare it to the Atom N435 powered X101H. However, since we’re talking about a dual-core CPU, it should be put side by side to the Atom N550, but I think the N2600 is going to be cheaper and more energy efficient, while providing similar everyday punch. That’s yet to be tested though. As for the graphics, well, the new Intel Cedar Trail platform is far superior to the older Pine Trail, able to deal with HD content and even Full HD clips. The clip below shows you that I was able to run 720p Youtube video pretty well, but I’ll look more into that before posting the review.

That’s about it for now, more details will follow though and you should also check out the unboxing on netbooklive.com for extra info.

While not much has changed outside, the new platform is definitely faster than before

If you’re going to ask what do I think about this mini laptop right now, after only an hour or so of playing with it, I’d say I like it. It’s slim and solid built, comes with a matte 10 inch display, it’s decently powered and based on what I know right now, this config will sell for about 230 Euros here in Eastern Europe. Cheaper versions might be available as well, so if you’re looking for an inexpensive laptop perfect for young users, for school or as a secondary computer when traveling, the X101CH could be a very good pick. Of course, that 3 Cell battery won’t offer proper autonomy, but I’m pretty sure Asus will offer some versions with a bigger battery as well.

However, hold your horses for the final review I’m going to post here and on netbooklive.com next week.

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Manufacturers rushed to meet this demand and major processors developers, Intel and AMD, came up with increasingly fast and mobile chips. But that’s not quite enough, as you also need some serious video fire power. Nvidia created the ION platform, which initially was an integrated video solution, while the second installment was and is a dedicated video card. AMD, on the other hand, uses integrated HD graphics from ATI for netbook processors.

But maybe the more important breakthroughs were achieved by processors manufacturers. Intel created the Atom platform, which was aimed at small netbooks and that offered pretty modest performance at first. In recent times, Intel developed dual core Atom processors, like N550 and N570, with an even newer, N2xx series currently being adopted by companies.

Intel Atom chip

Dual core Atom chips are pretty decent when it comes to multitasking and productivity work. Pairing one up with 2 GB of RAM and Windows 7 Home or Professional will get you a reliable 10 inch machine, able to cope with multiple apps running at once. More, if you go for a model that also packs an ION solution, you can even get HD playback and gaming.

AMD didn’t waste time and released the Fusion platform, which comprises of a ULV single or dual core processor and integrated HD graphics from ATI. Most Fusion chips are used on 11.6 to 13.3 inch machines, with the relatively slow C-50 being the only dual core processor used on 10 inchers.

The C-50 also comes with Radeon HD 6250, which delivers decent HD performance. Still, this is an integrated solution, which shares system memory and is the most basic of the multimedia treats Fusion chips have to offer. Next, let’s take a look at the fastest 10 inch netbooks packing either an Intel or AMD solution.

AMD Fusion APU- processor and integrated graphics in a tiny package

10 inch netbooks with Atom processors- dual core N550 and N570

First, the Asus 1015PEM. The netbook packs a dual core, 1.5 GHZ N550 chip, which is the first of its kind to be released by Intel. It’s basically double the processing power in comparison with a N450 or N455 and even has better power management. Too bad Asus doesn’t equip the computer with 2 GB of RAM straight out of the box. You only get 1 GB, a 250 GB HDD and Windows 7 Starter.

Even so, you get a pretty competent machine, able to deal with multitasking and launch apps pretty fast. And if you’re willing to make an extra investment in an additional 1 GB of RAM, you get a surprisingly snappy machine for this price range. The netbook comes with integrated GMA 3150 graphics, which is not much, but will handle video playback up to 720p.

Anyway, you couldn’t properly enjoy full HD playback on the 1015PEM, considering that the display has a modest 1024 x 600 resolution. Too bad Asus didn’t worked enough on the battery, as the stock 6 cell battery rarely goes above 4 hours of battery life on a single charge.

The 1015PEM has been replaced with the 1015PX series, that brings improved hardware and a bit better battery life. More details about that other series below

Asus 1015PEM

 Asus Eee PC 1015PX. The netbook comes with the Intel Atom N570 dual core processor, which has a speed of 1.66 GHZ, offering an overall 11% performance boost in comparison with the N550. Everything else is quite familiar, meaning you get 1 GB of RAM, a 1024 x 600 matte display and a 250 GB HDD, as well as Win 7 Starter. Of course, upgrading the machine to 2 GB will make it run considerably faster.

It is right now our favorite 10 inch EEE PC, merging incredible build quality with excellent performances and battery life. All these for around 300 bucks, with a discount available online and Free Shipping

Asus 1015PN. The 1015PN is basically identical to the 1015PEM, with the notable exception that the first comes with Nvidia ION graphics. Everything else is the same, namely the N550 CPU, 1 GB of RAM and Windows 7 Starter. The netbook comes with a HDMI port, as the device can play 1080p content, which is much more enjoyable on a large screen than on the modest 1024 x 600 display of the 1015PN. This one goes for around 350 bucks, but prepare some extra for OS and Memory upgrade in order to benefit of its full power.

Acer AOD255. Just like the 1015PEM, the A0D255 comes with the dual core N550, but there isn’t a integrated or dedicated video card. Even so, the netbook has a 15% overall performance boost when compared to single core versions and has a very decent battery life, being able to go for more than 8 hours on a single charge. The AOD255 is also quite cheap, being available for about 260 bucks, and you can even get it cheaper if you’re lucky to catch a promotional price. Another interesting aspect is that, in non US territories, the netbook comes with Android 1.6 as an alternative OS.

In the meantime, there are also some N570 equipped Acers, like the D257 and the new Aspire One Happy 2 line, available in yellow, light blue and many other lively colors.

Acer Aspire One D255

10 inch netbooks with AMD Fusion chips

Asus Eee PC 1015B. This 10 inch netbook is powered by a C-30 1.2 GHZ processor and HD 6250 graphics. The single core processor is not at fast as the N550 or N570, but the onboard HD graphics can deliver a pretty decent multimedia experience. The system will run smoother if you upgrade to 2 GB of RAM and a better OS than Starter. Overall, the 1015B is more of an entertainment machine than anything else, as it can play HD video, even 1080p, and some games, especially if you’re willing to spend a little more than the asking price for some extra system memory. More details on pricing and some reviews are available here.

Toshiba NB550D. The NB550D packs the dual core C-50, running at 1 GHZ, and the same Radeon HD graphics. The C-50 is about 33% slower than either the N550 and N570, but performance is only 20% lower at worst. Also, in multimedia related tests, the C-50 outmatches Atom processsors by a long shot thanks to the integrated HD graphics. Everything else is standard netbook fair- 1 GB of RAM, Windows 7 Starter and a 1024 x 600 display, with the battery being a pleasant surprise, as it can go on a single charge for about 7 to 8 hours at times. When compared to the Asus , the Toshiba Nb550D really packs some amazing speakers and a Full-size keyboard, but it’s also more expensive (however, it’s mostly available in Europe and not that much in the US).

Last but not least, there’s the Acer Spire One D522 which is pretty much indentical to the other two above, but offer a HD display with 1280 x 720px resolution and a pretty nice price tag.

Toshiba NB550D

Wrap up

In comparison to the early days of the netbook market, today there’s much more to choose from. And “by more” I mean two . You can either go for the Intel Atom platform, that offers two decent dual core chips, N550 and N570, and Fusion chips, that are slower, but come with HD graphics included, thus offer Full HD video playing abilities. In the end, it’s all about what you need and you are willing to spend. Atom powered 10 inchers are better for productivity work and general casual use and, when paired with ION graphics, look like a very decent computer for their size.

Fusion netbooks are not that fast and able to deal with multitasking, but can surely deliver a better multimedia experience. And they’re cheaper, by the way.

Still, although we take 10 inchers very seriously and pamper them if needed, there is still much room for improvement, as these mini laptops can’t really compete in terms of performance with most laptops over 13 inches.

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This was (and is) the official design running around for the last two years, since Asus entered massively in the netbook market; the design was good enough for holding a larger battery and required lots of space for accommodating all of the internals. But with processors getting smaller and smaller and SSDs taking over hard disk drives, a new type of design takes over the minds of Asus designers. The two future netbooks will have a plastic finish which is said to imitate the feel and consistency of aluminum. The build is inspired by the U design that can be found on other Asus mini laptops. That means you get slightly sharper edges and a more thin design for the body, with significantly smaller fans.

The two computers will come in different color versions, namely 3 for the 1025CE and 7 for the 1025C (expect the usual-red, white, black, blue and probably pink and a couple of other colors). But maybe the most important changes will take place on the inside. Pine Trail processors (Atom Nxxx) will be replaced bu Cedar Trail chips (Nxxx), which require way less energy to run, as well as having a better graphics engine than the previous version.

The 1025C/CE will have the same finish on the lid and the palm rest

The 1025C will run on Windows 7 Starter and has a base price of $249, while the more expensive 1025CE, starting at $279, will have a secondary OS (Asus Express Gate), a USB 3.0 port, WiFi N and Bluetooth 3.0 (the later two being available on the 1025C as well). Battery life is of course a highlight, as the 6 cell version will be capable of going for about 14 hours on a single charge; of course, the base model will run on a 3 cell juice maker.

This is the first batch of info we’ve got about these two groundbreaking (at least in terms of design) netbooks and there’s a chance we’ll find out more during Computex.

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The 1015 BX’s most important upgrade is the AMD C-60 processor, the latest low power chipset from AMD. This new 1.33 GHz processor should offer a small, but noticeable performance boost from the older C-50 dual core chipset. Also, it comes with a Radeon HD 6290 graphics card that offers support for HD video playback, as well as DirectX 11 graphics.

The rest of the technical specifications are pretty straightforward, with a 10.1-inch LED-backlit anti-glare display with 1024×600 pixels resolution, 1 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive. Asus’s new netbook is set to be powered by a very powerful 6 cell 5200 mAh Lithium-ion battery and will also feature Bluetooth 3.0, LAN, Wireless, as well as an HDMI and one USB 3.0 port.

The Asus 1015BX could come to the US in the near future.

In terms of software, the 1015 BX is set to run Windows 7 Starter, while when it comes to the design and the product weight it follows the footsteps of all the other 10-inch mini laptops from Asus, being elegant, chic and highly portable.

The Asus Eee PC 1015 BX is available on Amazon Germany, as we already told you, and its price tag is pretty affordable, if you ask us. The mini-laptop goes for 205.94 euro right now, which means that if and when it will come in the United States, it could cost around 200-220 bucks. This is a couple of bucks under the Asus 1015B’s price, for example ($257.24 on Amazon.com right now).

Source: Liliputing.com

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Excalibur PC has the best price for it right now, namely 199 bucks, exactly the price Asus advertised for the netbook. Besides the price tag, expect to pay at least 9 bucks for shipping. Retailer CDW asks for the same netbook 209 bucks plus tax and shipping, while Amazon offers it for $226, but you might get free shipping for it.

For now, it’s not very clear when you’ll actually get this 10 incher on your front porch, but considering that, initially, the mini laptop should have been available even sooner, we should expect it to be shipped before the end of the month. As for the actual netbook, the X101 keeps it light, both in terms of hardware and body. The 10 inch weighs just under 2 pounds and is only measures 17 mm in thickness, but considering what’s on the inside, it doesn’t really need more more space or weight.

The X101 comes in a variety of colors, including black, but also red and brown

The netbook is powered by a 1.33 GHZ N435 single core processor, which is the slow cousin of the anyway modest N455. You also get a 3 cell battery which should take you through a maximum of 4 hours of usage time . There’s also 1 GB of RAM and a 8 GB SSD, which should be enough to store the light OS- MeeGo- and ultra relevant local files, while most of your data is stored in the cloud.

The display is a standard 1024 x 600 panel with a matte coating, while the keyboard is kind of cramped, with low, small buttons that might be tough to master from the get go. We’ll let you know as soon as other stores have the X101 on their shelves and hopefully we’ll enjoy some discounted units soon enough. Stay tuned.

Photo credit: Francesco Tenuta

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If we’re to believe the rumors, all future Asus netbooks will get the treatment and the design will probably be used for 2 to 3 years, which was the case with the Seashell design as well. Sure, it doesn’t look completely alien, but you’ll see for yourself in the video below that it’s a clear move away from  current or older generations.

Moving on to the internals, the X101H packs an Intel N435 Cedar Trail Pine Trail processor (thanks James, we forgot to update this post), which is the entry level, single core processor from Intel’s line of ultra-low CPUs. Think N455, only slightly slower, more efficient and cheaper (which will reflect on the price of the final product). There is 1 or 2 GB of RAM (the new architecture seems to have the same 2 GB cap when it comes to system memory), and a 250 or 320 GB hard disk drive instead of the SSD drive you had on the X101.

The X101H will be available in black, red, white and brown

There’s also WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 3 cell battery, but probably there will be a version with a stronger juice maker. The display has a standard 1024 x 600 resolution and has a matte finish, while the keyboard has been redesigned a little. The keys are more square than before and there’s more space between them. Hopefully they won’t flex too much and won’t make too much noise. The X101H is 22 mm slim and weighs around 1 kg with the 3 cell battery, being a truly portable computer, also being able to boot from both Windows 7 Starter and Asus’s Express Gate.

For now, this is all we’ve got about the X101H, with configuration and availability info to be disclosed by Asus tomorrow or the day after. We could speculate that the starting price for the X101H might be around 250 bucks, with the premium version going over $300. Hopefully the next couple of days will enlighten us regarding this brand new Eee PC netbook. Hit the video below and tell us what you think about Asus’s new approach to 10 inch mini laptops.

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However, when it comes to netbooks with HD displays, things are more complicated and worth debating. First of all, the market reality right now is that there are very few netbooks with HD displays and these are pretty expensive. Also, there is the question if netbooks, featuring very small screens, are truly capable of playing HD content at a decent enough quality.

These will be the topics of our following lines, but we will also try to figure out if the existing HD netbooks on the market are good enough to be worth our money. Also, we will try to find out alternatives for those of you who want portability from a piece of computer equipment, but also a very crisp and clear image.

What is an HD display?

While it is almost impossible to think that there is still someone among you that hasn’t heard the term ‘’HD’’ used a gazillion times by now, you might not know exactly what it means. HD is the abbreviation of high-definition and, while it doesn’ t have a clear definition, means largely high resolution.

HD is the highest image quality standard right now

High resolution means more pixels in your display, which leads to a remarkably clearer picture. In order for a display to be officially named and recognized as an HD screen, it has to feature a pixel resolution of minimum 720 in height. There are different standards for HD resolution, ranging from 1280×720 to 1920×1080 px.

HD displays on netbooks

You don’t have many 10 inch netbooks with a HD display and you can count the ones worth our attention on the fingers of your left hand. Still, there are some, and you can expect 1366 x 768 px or 1280 x 720 px resolution on those 10 inchers, alongside matte or glossy finishes. Check the examples below.

There is one more thing you should know though. With all of thes devices running Windows 7 as the OS, the increased resolution os such a small screen might not be that pleasant for your eyes, as all the texts, details and icons will get quite small. Thus, your eyes might get tired quite fast and some fo you might even experience dizziness and headaches. 

Having said all that, it is not impossible to find a decent netbook featuring an HD display on the market right now. There is the Samsung NF310, for example, a 10.1-inch netbook that features an LED-Backlit display with a 1366×768 pixels resolution and a matte finish. This is currently available on Amazon for 362.99 dollars and besides the fancy screen, also features one one of the best keyboards you can find on a netbook these days and a stylish exterior, combining glossy plastic and some aluminum elements.

The Samsung NF310 is probably the best 10-inch netbook when it comes to HD playback

There would also be the Acer Aspire One 522, a rather cheaper netbook powered by AMD’s Ontario C-50 processor. that makes it capable of dealing with HD video content as well, while most Atom powered mini laptops can’t, and that’s jut great when you have a 1280 x 720px 10 inch display to watch some movies. Unfortunately though it’s a glossy screen, so better not get it outside or in a bright environment. But for only $289 bucks, the 522 definitely sounds like the best cheap laptop you can get these days with a HD display.

A strong and fast netbook that features a pretty good HD image quality is the Hewlett Packard Mini 5103, but this one is pretty expensive. By default it does not come with a HD display, but you can add a 1366 x 768 px non-glare screen on HP’s site as an extra option. A perfect addition to one of the best business netbooks out there, with an excellent rough case and an ergonomic keyboard. But considering that the base price for the model is around 350 bucks, adding the screen and some extra options could easily take you to 500 bucks or above. A bit much for my taste…

The HP Mini 5103 is pretty expensive for a 10-inch netbook

Aside from Samsung’s 10-inch netbook, you also have the Asus Eee Pc Seashell 1005PR, which is kind of outdated, though, and it is only available on Amazon as a used version( for 359.99 dollars) and a refurbished model( for 239 bucks). This also features a 10.1-inch LED backlit 1366×768 widescreen, but hardware wise it’s behind what you get on modern machines, as the 1005PR is after all a mini laptop launched around 2 years ago.

Last, but not least, the Dell Mini 10 includes an optional HiDef widescreen display as well, but the extra option costs a buck or two and makes the Dell netbook a bit overpriced for what it can offer.  So my advice, better stick with the options above.

Alternatives

While it would be really nice to be able to buy an affordable and reliable netbook with HD capabilities, it becomes clearer and clearer that you don’t have many 10-inch mini laptops with a decent price tag and good HD display right now (things might change in the near future.)

Therefore, with the risk of sacrificing a bit in terms of portability, you will probably have to go for a 11.6 or 12-inch mini laptop if you want a good HD screen. Regarding actual options, you can check out this list where you will find the top 12 inch picks of the moment, including the Asus 1215N, the Lenovo Thinkpad X201 and the Asus 1215B, all great at playing HD content.

Conclusion

Even though it is not impossible to find a 10-inch netbook with an HD display right now, it is our honest and objective opinion that the existent netbooks with HD capabilities will not truly satisfy you, unless you can be content with so-so image quality and pretty high prices. On the other hand, if you want to get a decent balance between portability, affordability and HD playback quality, the best thing you can do is to go after one of the 11.6 or 12-inches laptops recommended by us.

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