Choosing a netbook. The best netbooks in terms of price and quality
Updated: 07/13/2018 16:43:24
Despite the fact that the format of ultraportable laptops (netbooks) is gradually being replaced from the market by tablets and hybrid computers, some companies continue to produce such devices.
Rating of the best netbooks
How to choose a netbook - criteria you should pay attention to
When choosing a netbook, you should first pay attention to the following technical characteristics:
Amount of RAM. Determines the performance of a computer when performing multiple tasks at once - for example, when surfing the Internet. The minimum “viable” amount of RAM in 2018 for a netbook running Windows 7 or later is 2 GB;
Built-in storage capacity. Determines the amount of data that can be stored on the netbook. Modern ultraportable laptops can be equipped with very small internal drives - 32 GB or more. If you don’t plan to store anything in your netbook, you can purchase a model with such a disk. But in order to store personal data on a computer, you will need a device with a full HDD of 250 GB or more;
Type of internal storage. The speed of loading, waking up and operating the netbook depends on it. HDD hard drives usually have relatively low performance, but are inexpensive (in terms of price per gigabyte of data). SSD drives are very fast, but come at a high price. Flash memory works quickly, is inexpensive, but has a small volume;
Processor generation. Since you can’t expect high performance from a netbook, the specific technical characteristics of the chip (number of cores, computing threads, clock speed) are not particularly important. Instead, you should pay attention to the power consumption and heating intensity of the processor. And they, in turn, are directly related to the generation of the chip. The “fresh” it is, the better;
Battery life. The higher it is, the better. Modern netbooks have a battery life of about 8-10 hours, which allows you to take them with you to work and leave the charger at home.
If necessary, you can pay attention to other technical characteristics, such as screen diagonal and resolution, the presence of a touch display, design (classic laptop or transformer), etc.
Which company's netbook to choose?
When choosing a netbook running the Windows operating system, you should pay attention first of all to products from the “Big Five” - Dell, Asus, Lenovo, Acer and HP. Except that Lenovo now produces ultraportable computers exclusively from the Yoga series - expensive and hybrid ones.
In addition, netbooks are also in Apple's lineup. However, they belong to the top price range.
All of these companies produce reliable and productive mobile computers. In addition, they have authorized service centers throughout Russia, which is also an advantage.
Rating of the best inexpensive netbooks
The Dell Inspiron 3162 takes first place in our rating. 11.6-inch subnotebook with an entry-level processor (Intel Pentium or Intel Celeron depending on configuration), 2-4 GB of RAM, integrated video card and hard drive from 32 GB SSD to 500 GB HDD. It is distinguished by its low weight - only 1.2 kg, bright design and high autonomy. The manufacturer claims 10 hours of operation from the built-in battery, but this is at low display brightness. If it is increased, the battery life may decrease to 6-7 hours.
One of the important advantages of a netbook is its pleasant and comfortable keyboard. Therefore, it is perfect for working in “travel conditions”. It is complemented by a large and accurate touchpad.
Other positive qualities include the reliability of the plastic, the tightness of the device’s assembly, and its attractive appearance. There are also two full USB connectors, a memory card slot and a full-size HDMI for connecting to an external screen or projector.
Advantages
Comfortable keyboard;
Many available configurations;
Many ports for connecting external devices;
Reliable body materials;
Flaws
Large frames around the display;
Active cooling system.
An 11.6-inch netbook with an Intel Atom processor, which is energy efficient and does not require active cooling. Thanks to this, it was possible to reduce the weight of the device to 1 kg. In addition, the netbook is equipped with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB SSD storage. The main advantage of the netbook is its high battery life, which is more than 13 hours according to the manufacturer.
Asus R209HA is one of the best netbooks if you plan to work in “ragged” mode. He falls asleep quickly and wakes up quickly. At the same time, 2 GB of RAM will be enough to work in office applications and a web browser.
In addition, the netbook has an attractive appearance that “inherits” the design of the company’s flagship ultrabooks. Is that the case is plastic to reduce the cost, and not metal.
Advantages
Attractive design;
High battery life;
SSD drive;
Passive cooling;
Flaws
The Acer ASPIRE R3-131T netbook takes third place in the ranking. 11.6-inch convertible (screen hinges allow it to turn into a tablet after rotating the screen around the keyboard almost 360 degrees) with an Intel Celeron processor. Equipped with 2 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive. The built-in battery lasts for 7 hours of battery life.
The main advantage of a netbook is its touch screen and large hard drive. This turns it not only into a work device, but also into a multimedia device. By placing the netbook in “presentation” or “tent” mode (different screen angles), you can get a convenient device for watching movies, online videos or music.
Advantages
Touchscreen;
Transformer configuration;
Large hard drive;
Flaws
- Poor hardware platform.
11.6-inch subnotebook with Intel Celeron processor, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB flash drive. Very light - weight less than 1.2 kg. The built-in dual-cell battery lasts for 10 hours of battery life at average screen brightness. It features a bright and beautiful design.
The main advantage of the subnotebook is its matte screen. It does not glare even in direct sunlight, so you can use the device outdoors.
In addition, the netbook is equipped with a comfortable keyboard.
Advantages
4 GB RAM;
High autonomy;
Comfortable keyboard;
Matte display;
Flaws
- Small volume of built-in storage.
The best premium netbook
Technically, this device belongs to the ultrabook class. However, it has a small screen diagonal of 12 inches and weighs less than a kilogram. Therefore, it can be considered a kind of “netbook”.
Despite its very light weight, the laptop is equipped with a fast processor from the Intel Core m5 series, 8 GB of RAM, a 256 or 512 GB SSD drive, depending on the configuration, and a battery with a capacity of 11 hours of battery life. In addition, the device has a proprietary Retina display with high resolution (2304×1440 pixels) and excellent color rendition.
MacBook is a device that is designed for work. It is characterized by high performance, convenience and practicality.
Advantages
Excellent display;
Long battery life;
Powerful hardware platform;
Flaws
- Non-standard operating system macOS.
Which netbook to buy
If you have enough budget, you should buy an Apple MacBook. It is fast and productive.
In the budget segment, the Asus R209HA and HP Stream 11 models are especially interesting. Due to the fact that they have SSD and eMMC drives installed, respectively, they are distinguished by very high operating speeds. But you will have to regularly use flash drives and external hard drives.
If you need to “carry everything with you,” then you should pay attention to netbooks with a built-in hard drive - Dell Inspiron 3162 and Acer Aspire R3-131T.
Today there is a huge range of modern technology on the market. Some people use smartphones, others prefer fashionable tablets, others, in order not to carry a heavy laptop with them, take a convenient, functional and compact netbook. This is a way to always stay connected on social networks, track changes in the global economy, or create creative projects. Fortunately, purchasing good hardware is not a problem. Let's get acquainted with the list of the best netbooks, their technical characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and also find out how not to make a mistake when choosing a device.
An authoritative portal like Marka.guru will help you decide which device is best suited to achieve its goals. A good netbook should respond to the following parameters:
- small size and weight, it should fit on your lap and be as mobile as possible;
- have enough random access memory to save the necessary documents and presentations;
- have a powerful processor– this will allow you to perform several work tasks simultaneously;
- hold for a long time charge;
- enable wired or wireless Internet connections;
- the screen must have a high resolution and it is better if it is large so that you don’t have to squint when performing work tasks;
- interact well with other devices.
Budget devices
First let's look at inexpensive models netbooks, which are popular among buyers.
The leader of those presented in this description. It is easy to use and mobile, stylish, economical and waterproof.
The owner can choose which color scheme suits him best; it’s nice that all its parts, including the keyboard, will be painted in the shade they like.
This is the right gadget at a reasonable price. It runs on a Celeron processor (1600 MHz), it has 2 cores, 2 GB RAM, and a built-in video card. Its cost ranges from 16 thousand to 21 thousand rubles.
Some technical characteristics:
- screen size (11.6 inches);
- Bluetooth (built-in) 4.0;
- Wi-Fi (built-in) 802.11ac.
- insufficient viewing angles;
- Works only with micro SD cards;
- lack of wired Internet connection.
Prices :
2. ASUS R209HA
This netbook is functional and holds a charge for up to 10 hours. The screen size is the same as the gadget described above, it runs on an Atom x5 processor (1440 MHz), 4-core, memory – 2 GB, built-in video card - Intel GMA HD.
- energy efficiency;
- display resolution 1366*768;
- interaction with TV and monitor;
- affordable price (from 15 thousand to 17 thousand rubles);
- small dimensions and weight.
Minuses:
- lack of memory;
- reads micro SD and nothing else.
Prices for ASUS R209HA:
3. HP Stream 11
The main similarity between this netbook and the others is the screen and its resolution, as well as Wi-Fi.
Its main feature is the color scheme - a matte screen and a bright, provocative body.
Processor: Celeron (1600 MHz), RAM 2 - 4 GB, hard drive 32 GB. Cost: from 13,500 to 17,000 rubles.
Advantages:
- unusual design and color;
- Miracast, as Bluetooth support;
- USB connector.
Flaws:
- the screen is not finalized;
- lack of memory;
- working with limited memory cards.
Prices for HP Stream 11:
4. Acer ASPIRE R3-131T
This model is based on an Intel processor, it has a built-in hard drive (500 GB) and a USB 3.0 connector.
It has such a nice addition as the ability to rotate the screen, which will allow you to turn it into a tablet if necessary.
Options such as RAM and screen size are similar to other netbooks reviewed.
Advantages:
- display rotation;
- SD card support;
- network adapter;
- presence of a built-in hard drive.
Flaws:
- low Wi-Fi speed (802.11ac);
- 2 GB RAM;
- high cost component (from 17.5 thousand to 66 thousand for a more advanced version);
- weight (can reach up to 1.5 kg);
- low display resolution.
Prices for Acer ASPIRE R3-131T:
In many respects it is similar to other budget netbooks. Among the undeniable advantages of this device are:
- attractive appearance;
- comfortable keyboard;
- lightness (not much weight);
- lack of glossy surfaces.
Flaws:
- discharges quickly;
- random access memory that cannot be expanded;
- The sound quality leaves much to be desired.
It costs about 17 thousand.
Prices :
Expensive models
The next group of products has significantly higher prices. Let's look at which netbooks from high price category have proven themselves to be the best.
1. Apple MacBook Early 2016
This miracle of technology is based on a Core M3/M5/M7 processor (1100-1200 MHz), it has 2 cores, and the RAM will clearly please the owner - 8 GB. With a screen size of 12 inches, it has an extension of 2304*1440. It is impossible not to mention the built-in video card and hard drive, from 256 to 512 GB. Reviews on the Internet are simply full of positive emotions from using this gadget, even despite the high price from 75 thousand to 150 thousand.
Main advantages:
- convenient touch panel;
- fingerprint scanner;
- universal ports;
- presence of a graphics subsystem.
Flaws:
- impossibility of replacing and expanding SSD;
- high price;
- not enough interfaces.
Prices for Apple MacBook Early 2016:
2. Lenovo IdeaPad S100
Runs on the Meego operating system. Its screen diagonal is 10.1 inches, with a resolution of 1024*600. This machine uses an Intel processor, it is 2-core, RAM is 1 GB. Although, if you compare it with budget models, it is better equipped: web camera, microphone, 3 USB connectors.
Among the undeniable advantages of the device are:
- weight (1-1.1 kg);
- compactness;
- the processor works well;
- Wi-Fi;
- hard drive 320 GB.
Minuses:
- build quality;
- The placement of USB ports is poorly thought out.
The cost is + - 130 thousand rubles.
Lenovo IdeaPad S100 prices:
Summing up
After reading about the pros and cons of these devices, skeptics will exclaim that it is better to use desktop computers or laptops for work, because netbooks, even the most popular ones, do not surpass them in technical characteristics. But you can take compact gadgets with you on a trip or to a friendly party, which will allow you to increase your income without being tied to a specific location, and their light weight and compact dimensions are undeniable advantages.
The decision to buy a netbook is quite justified - it weighs a little, and is not much more productive than a tablet. The cost of inexpensive laptops in 2016 starts at 14,310 rubles. We bring to your attention several models with a relatively low price and good performance. Let us note right away that you won’t be able to play modern resource-intensive games on a cheap netbook, but it is quite sufficient for everyday tasks: working with text documents, watching videos and surfing the Internet.
Lenovo IdeaPad E10-30
Lenovo IdeaPad E10-30 has several modifications. We suggest you pay attention to one of them, which already has the Windows 8 operating system installed. If, after purchasing a netbook, you still plan to install Windows, then it is better to immediately buy a device with the OS installed. Firstly, it's cheaper. Secondly, you will save time spent on installation and searching for a specialist.
The netbook's screen has a diagonal of 10.1 inches and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Matrix type TN+film, one of the most used in laptops. The viewing angles are not the greatest, but the response time is short, that is, the image on the screen changes quite quickly. The display has a matte finish, which is very good for those who work on a netbook with text documents. The light won't leave any glare on the screen, and the screen will be easier to read in any light, although it's a little less bright than glossy.
All computing work will be performed by the Celeron N2840 processor. It has two cores clocked at 2.16 GHz. Level 2 cache memory capacity is 1 GB. The processor has low power consumption. 2 slots are allocated for RAM and 2 GB are initially installed. There is no discrete video card here. The image is processed by an integrated video card built into the processor itself. The volume of the solid-state drive is 320 GB and its speed is 5400 rps.
Connections include an HDMI port and USB 2.0 and high-speed 3.0; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth adapters. Additionally, a fingerprint scanner, a card reader and a camera for video calls with a resolution of 0.3 MP are installed. The battery is small at 24 Wh, which should be enough for 2.5-3 hours of battery life.
Netbook dimensions: 268 x 168 x 25.4 mm. Weight 1.1 kg. The cost of a netbook starts at 16,770 rubles. Overall, a good compact model with an installed OS, a fingerprint scanner and all basic communications.
Acer Aspire ES1-131
The next model - Acer Aspire ES1-131 - also comes with an installed OS, but this one has a more modern Windows 10. Another significant difference is the large screen diagonal - 11.6 inches. Accordingly, the resolution is better - 1366 x 768 pixels. The same resolution is found on almost all budget and mid-range laptops with a diagonal of 15.6 inches. The matrix is still the same - TN+film. The screen coating is matte.
Computing power is provided by a dual-core Celeron N3050 processor. Its clock frequency is slightly lower - 1.6 GHz, but the second level memory cache is larger - 2 GB, and less energy is required for operation. 2 GB of RAM is installed, but it can be independently expanded up to 8 GB if desired. Unfortunately, the netbook only has 1 slot, and increasing the memory is only possible by replacing the inserted stick with a new one. Similar to the previous model, the integrated video card is Intel HD Graphics. The permanent memory is only 32 GB. It belongs to the eMMC class.
The set of installed connectors is the same. Like any netbook there is a Wi-fi adapter. Additionally, a card reader and a Noble lock. Built-in video camera with a slightly better resolution of 1.3 MP. Battery capacity 3500 mAh. Physical dimensions are slightly larger than 291 x 211 x 21 mm. Weight 1.25 kg.
The cost of a netbook varies from 15,250 to 17,290 rubles. A good model for those looking for a compact machine with Windows 10. With a small diagonal value, the device has a fairly good resolution. In terms of weight and dimensions, it is not much larger than the first netbook. The only thing is that the permanent memory is not enough, you won’t be able to store all your files, it will only be enough for the OS, programs and the most necessary things.
Acer TravelMate B116-M
The next model - Acer TravelMate B116-M - is very similar to the previous one, but has several significant differences. First of all, another operating system is installed on the netbook, namely Linux. On the one hand, when buying a netbook, you don’t have to pay for a Windows license, on the other hand, if before that you were a regular user of Microsoft products, then it may immediately be unusual, although the OS can always be changed.
As for the screen, everything is the same as the previous netbook: 11.6-inch diagonal, 1366 x 768 resolution, TN+film matrix, matte finish. The processor installed here is the same - Celeron N3850. RAM 2 GB with the ability to replace it with an 8 GB stick. Naturally, the video card is integrated here.
The netbook has much more permanent memory - 500 GB. It will be enough for all programs and storage of personal files. The hard drive rotates at a speed of 5400 revolutions per minute. In addition to the HDMI connector there is a VGA. There are two USB ports, one of which is version 2.0, and the second is version 3.0. Unlike the previous model, a Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-fi adapter is installed that meets the high-speed 802.11 ac standard. Additionally, the netbook was equipped with a card reader and a Noble lock. The built-in video camera has a resolution of 0.3 MP.
Battery capacity 3500 mAh. Device dimensions: 291 x 211 x 21.2 mm. Weight – 1.25 kg. The cost of the netbook is slightly higher than the models described above and amounts to 21,390 rubles. In general, the netbook's performance and screen characteristics are the same as the previous model. However, it has enough permanent memory and the best Bluetooth and Wi-fi adapters.
Conclusion
An inexpensive netbook has a set of all the necessary connectors and wireless adapters. The weight of the device ranges from 1.1 to 1.25 kg, while it has a 10.1 or 11.6-inch screen, which is enough for watching movies. Among the disadvantages is the lack of a discrete video card, but even if it were in a netbook at this price, its quality would hardly significantly exceed the performance of the built-in solution.
Rating 4.9 out of 5. Votes: 379. Category Select computer equipment
Nowadays, many of us can no longer imagine everyday life without the Internet. For a quick and convenient method, use laptops, tablets, iPhones, and netbooks. A netbook is not only a convenient way to surf the Internet, but you can also watch videos in good quality and play your favorite games. But for this you need to figure out which netbook to choose.
The main purpose of a netbook
Before buying a netbook, you need to know its basic meanings. First and foremost, the netbook was created for the Internet. That is, for simple tasks, surfing web pages, communicating on forums, launching Yandex map applications, etc. Next, work with email. Communication through programs such as skype, icq, for video calls, correspondence in chats. Almost every netbook is equipped with a webcam and microphone specifically for these purposes. The small keyboard allows you to work with text and spreadsheets. Using a netbook, you can always update your blog, write an article, or leave a comment. The netbook is also designed for viewing videos and photos. This is the main range of his tasks.
At the moment there are already netbooks with higher performance. On which you can play games with small requirements, work with graphic editors, process videos, but due to the small screen it will not be very convenient to do this. In general, for complex tasks it is better to buy a laptop.
The advantages of a netbook are that due to its small size and low weight, the netbook is very mobile. You can carry it in a small bag or pocket, and at the same time, thanks to all the necessary interfaces, you can always be in touch.
Which netbook configuration to choose
Most netbooks have approximately the same configuration, like this:
The latest generation netbooks support Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8. This is a matter of everyone’s taste, you can install whatever you want.
In custody
Just before purchasing a netbook, for convenience, pay attention to such things as:
- The screen - although it ranges from 10 to 12 inches, the larger the better, or whatever is more convenient for you.
- Keyboard and touchpad (touch input) - all netbooks have different keyboards. Please pay attention to this so that the location and size of the keys suits you. The touchpad can be very small and inconvenient.
- Battery life - look carefully at the operating time of the netbook, the battery is designed for.
- Also, when choosing a netbook, pay attention to the interfaces, so that there are the connectors that you will need.
The ASUS N10 is a "corporate" netbook that has high-end options that you won't find on budget netbooks. HDMI output, discrete graphics card NVIDIA 9300M, fingerprint scanner, ExpressCard/34 expansion slot - these are the options that professional business people need in a portable device. The cost of this model with integrated graphics is approximately $700. This is much lower than the price of ultraportable business class laptops, for example, such as Sony TZ or TT. If you do not need all of the above options, then you can purchase a budget netbook Asus Eee PC 1000HA for approximately $400 - $450.
ASUS Eee PC 1000
The 10-inch Eee PC 1000 is available with both an SSD and a hard drive. This allows buyers to choose between more disk space and greater protection of the storage medium from shocks and shocks. The keyboard is 91% full size and allows you to type without any inconvenience. Most configurations of this model have a 6-cell battery. This model costs a little more than similar configurations, however, it is one of the best in its class, and considering the large battery, it is worth the money. Prices for models with Intel Celeron start at $450, and with Intel Atom at $400 (1000HA). The 1000HE features an Intel Atom N280 processor, an improved battery, and a new keyboard layout.
Asus Eee PC 900 and Eee PC 901
The small 9-inch Eee PC 900 and 901 models are small netbooks, but often have longer battery life than their larger 10-inch brother. Despite the fact that these netbooks are available in configurations with both SSD flash memory and a hard drive, models with SSD flash memory are more popular. The Eee PC 900 and 901 come pre-installed with Linux and Windows XP operating systems. In addition to the big difference between the operating systems themselves, models with XP pre-installed have a 12 GB hard drive, while models with Linux pre-installed have a 20 GB hard drive.
Acer Aspire One
Today, Acer Aspire One ranks second among the most popular netbooks. The price for a budget model with SSD flash memory is one of the lowest on the market, however, the top HD model is not that expensive. Acer Aspire One comes in a variety of colors, and you can certainly choose the color to suit your taste.
Dell Mini 9
The Dell Mini 9 is relatively new to the market and is sold at a very reasonable price. The almost full-size keyboard of this model allows you to type without any difficulties (function keys have been removed, which allowed Dell engineers and designers to free up much-needed space for netbooks). This netbook comes only with SSD flash memory modules (sizes from 4 to 16 GB) and pre-installed Windows XP Home and Ubuntu Linux. All Dell Mini 9 models are equipped with 4-cell batteries that allow the netbook to work autonomously for 3-4 hours.
Dell Mini 12
The Dell Mini 12 is the first netbook with a WXGA screen (1280x800) and a full-size keyboard, plus a great design that could rival the beauty of the Apple MacBook Air. All these innovations have allowed Dell to get as close as possible to the ultraportable laptop market segment. The Dell Mini 12 comes with 3-cell and 6-cell batteries, cellular broadband, and low-voltage Intel Atom processors.
HP Mini 1000
The HP Mini 1000 is the latest Intel Atom processor-based netbook from HP, replacing the VIA 2133-equipped Mini-Note that was released last year. You can purchase this model by personally selecting the installed components and settings, including screen size and storage capacity. The Mini 1000 has the same keyboard as the Mini-Note, which, by the way, we consider the best keyboard installed in a netbook. Mini 1000 prices vary depending on configuration.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10
The 10-inch IdeaPad is available in black, red and white colors. The IdeaPad also has an option not found on other netbooks. The S10 has an ExpressCard slot for an external WWAN card, keeping you connected even while on the road. Considering that the laptop is made by the company that produces ThinkPad, it is not surprising to see the S10 has a set of options for business people.
MSI Wind U100
This laptop is available in different colors, different configurations and with an easy-to-type keyboard. Recently, prices for fairly expensive netbooks of this model (especially with a 6-cell battery) have begun to decline. Not long ago, MSI announced a price reduction for this model in the basic configuration to $320. The price for the model with a 6-cell battery is slightly higher. However, the Wind is one of the coolest netbooks, so if you are sensitive to high temperatures, then the Wind is the best choice for you.
Sony Vaio P
This "Lifestyle PC", as Sony itself calls it (well, they don't like the word "netbook"), is a high-end model designed for professionals who need something more than the average netbook in terms of characteristics. The Sony Vaio P has a high-resolution glossy display (1600 x 768), built-in 3G broadband with GPS, Windows Vista pre-installed and optional SSD flash memory. The weight and size are much lower than average for netbooks - for example, with a 4-cell battery, the notebook weighs 590 grams and is only 20 millimeters thick. The price of the Sony Vaio P is quite high - starting from $900 (the basic model) and ending at $1,700 for the model with 128 GB of SSD flash memory.
Asus Eee PC 701
Asus Eee PC 701 was one of the first representatives of netbooks, and is currently outdated in many respects. With a 7-inch display, an Intel Celeron processor and little flash memory, the Asus Eee PC 701 looks more like a toy than a proper netbook these days. You can find netbooks with larger displays, faster processors, and larger hard drives, but you won't find a netbook as low in price as the Asus Eee PC 701. If you don't need all the features of new netbooks, then this model is perfect for everyday work.
Other netbooks
Today on the netbook market you can find other models not listed on our list. Some of them are equipped with components from the same manufacturers, which makes them almost identical “clones”. Many of them have the same build quality and options as the netbooks presented in our review, just under different brands. Netbooks not included in our review include the Samsung NC10, Sylvania G, Everex Cloudbook and Medion Akoya Mini.
