Athlon 1.2GHz
AMD X1270 graphics
11.6″ LED screen
Bbbbeautiful keyboard to use.

I have the rare to find hp 2230s 12″ with Bluray on order but almost cried when I saw the Gateway yesterday.

Like James I am also still in pursuit of the perfect Netbook. I am kind of a fan of Lenovo, so the U110, S10 and even the X300 look like a real winner. The X300 is too expensive, although I can get it cheap from Germany. The only drawback is that I am from Europe and have to cope with the higher prices. Everything in the USA is much cheaper.

Would you mind ASUS EEEPC 1000h??

Bill: Its interesting that the Advent 4211 doesn’t have the warranty sticker over a screw hole on the back like the MSI Wind does.

I’ve upgraded the RAM and the PCI-E Wifi but I could put it back and they’d never know.

If I did send it back “The Tech Guys” (thats what they call their support guys) might be a bit confused to boot into Mac OSX however!

Check out the Gigabyte M912M video on UMPCPortal…

http://www.umpcportal.com/2008/10/m9129m-presentation-video-and-purchase-decision/

I know the keyboard and screen are a little small, but it would make an excellent eBook reader.

It looks like my next machine…(If they can get it to the USA for under $550, and a 6-cell batter option would be nice).

The U110 is an evaluation unit from Lenovo and will go back to them. That’s why I am looking for a netbook.

Yeah, if you already have a U110 why are you looking for a netbook? So you save a few ounces (maybe) and end up with a smaller screen, slower processor and keyboard… huh?

Can these netbooks playback ripped movies and run powerpoints with heavy pictures and embedded movies in them?

I just bought a Mini-Note (120GB) for $300 from walmart.com. The keyboard, screen and build quality/looks convinced me. The other nearest contender was the $350 AAO or whatever goes on sale next.

At the other end of the spectrum, I was considering a Raon Everun Note, but its not out there yet and it is kind of expensive, although I don’t have any problems spending the money if its worth it (and having a laptop that fits in a purse is definitely worth it in my book).

James,

I thought the U110 was yours, not a loaner? I have the U110 and I LOVE IT! If the one you have is a loaner, then I think you should bypass the whole “netbook” fever thing and stick with the U110 because the power can’t compare. If the U110 isn’t a loaner, why are you looking for a netbook?

James,

I know the only cure for your fever is a netbook now, but consider waiting for HP to release a 10″ Mini-note. It’s coming; I’m sure of it. The HP Mini is hands-down the best hardware design in the class.

All good recommendations. For the record the HP Mini-Note wasn’t mine and had to go back to HP who loaned it to me. Via processor aside the Mini-note is a strong contender. That keyboard and high-resolution screen beats most of the others. If it didn’t have that Via…

I have a MSI Wind.

Here is your solution:

1) Buy a 3 or 6 cell Wind. Your Choice.
2) Buy a slim external battery like the one made by Maplin. Relatively lightweight and 10-12 HOURS of battery life (or even more if you buy the 6 cell Wind) with your Wind.
3) Get a smart cellphone that supports “Bluetooth tethering” and a data plan with your cellphone provider. Internet access just about anywhere!

I think you should have kept the HP mininote. VIA CPU aside, the build quality, screen, keyboard, card slot, XP installed, 2.5″ hard drive and 6 cell battery combine for an amazing package. And you can still pick up the top model that you had for $649.

You’ll be kicking yourself James if you get a $400 machine now and HP releases a CPU upgrade for the mini before the year is out.

Looks like the MSI Wind, 6-cell is the winner here.
I tend to agree.

I would be interested to see a new HP MiniNote with a Nano processor (rumored Jan). The keyboard and PCI-Express could be better for James.

The other one i’d keep an eye out for is the new Samsung NC10. I can’t tell how big the keyboard is on this one but you can almost guarantee best-in-class engineering. Should be as efficient as a 901 but with better keyboard.

ASus N10 is a nice one for storing valuable data due to fingerprint reader. Also has some superb graphics capability, styling, 802.11n, 2GB, up to 320GB drive, 6-cell, HDMI. ExpressCard/34 though. Its expensive and slightly bigger than the average netbook though.

Steve.

Enjoying the Dell. After a week of use I have some thoughts:

Touch typing is mostly fine depending on position of unit and person. Re-located quotes and apostrophe keys are maddening.

Function keys across the A-L row, accessed with Fn key are fine when you’re using two hands. If you’re eating dinner with one hand though they’re unusable.

Haven’t put ifolder on yet so keeping track of which data is on here vs the X61 is a pain. Carrying both to work “just in case” is silly but necessary. If you love the U110 think twice about whether, why and how you’ll use a second unit so close in size and weight.

Movies are great. Many web pages are too long vertically and the 1024 X 600 res means the “fold” is off screen.

The Dell runs pretty cool compared to an early MSI I tried and to any of my notebooks.