Netbooks don’t make good primary computers; that’s not their purpose. They’re intended to be second machines: travel machines, countertop laptops Asus G2Pc battery, TV-couch computers. They really are irresistible for quick Web or e-mail checks, airplane reading and even PowerPoint projections.
Of course, you knew there had to be a catch — and there are several. First, the Mini comes with an 60-gigabyte hard drive, max. That’s less than half the capacity of the others — and you’re paying top dollar. Second, that nonbulgy Asus G2S battery lasts only three hours. (A 6-cell, 6-hour battery is a $40 option.) Third, the screen is 22 pixels shorter than the others, and you need a $20 adapter to connect a projector or external monitor (HP is borrowing the wrong ideas from Apple).
Of course, you knew there had to be a catch — and there are several. First, the Mini comes with an 60-gigabyte hard drive, max. That’s less than half the capacity of the others — and you’re paying top dollar. Second, that nonbulgy Asus G2S battery lasts only three hours. (A 6-cell, 6-hour battery is a $40 option.) Third, the screen is 22 pixels shorter than the others, and you need a $20 adapter to connect a projector or external monitor (HP is borrowing the wrong ideas from Apple).
One thing’s for sure: to see this netbook is to want one. It’s gorgeous. It’s much smaller than the others — nearly an inch shallower front-to-back, and since it doesn’t have a Asus L5 battery bulge, it sits low, sleek and flat on the table. At 2.4 pounds, it’s also the lightest netbook here.
The other stunning achievement is the keyboard. Hewlett-Packard took what would be the obvious design tack: it widened the keyboard to the last available millimeter of horizontal space, right up against the laptop Asus L5500 battery edges. The keys are huge and flat, and typing on them feels very close to normal.
If its battery and hard drive weren’t so compromised, the sweet, small, solid HP Mini could easily walk away the winner. Meanwhile, consider the Samsung for its solid design, fine keyboard and long battery life; the Asus for its all-day battery and low price; or the MSI for clean lines and rock-bottom price.
Worst of all, the trackpad clicker buttons are vertical strips flanking the trackpad. It’s a design disaster; you can’t left-click with your right hand, you have to look at what you’re doing and so on. It would be a deal killer, in fact, if it weren’t for that “tap the trackpad to click” thing.
If its battery and hard drive weren’t so compromised, the sweet, small, solid HP Mini could easily walk away the winner. Meanwhile, consider the Samsung for its solid design, fine keyboard and long battery life; the Asus for its all-day battery and low price; or the MSI for clean lines and rock-bottom price.
Worst of all, the trackpad clicker buttons are vertical strips flanking the trackpad. It’s a design disaster; you can’t left-click with your right hand, you have to look at what you’re doing and so on. It would be a deal killer, in fact, if it weren’t for that “tap the trackpad to click” thing.
So yes, choosing a netbook Asus L5800 battery is all about finding the least-bad compromises. And in these four machines, you’ll find some not-bad compromises indeed.
