Best Value

ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-EU1X-BK Netbook
Selection in the netbook market is limited when you get south of $300. However, Asus – maker of the now infamous Eee PC, has produced a little wonder, the Eee PC1005HA-EU1X-BK. While the name may leave you wanting something more descriptive like “Eee PC Millenium Falcon” or the “Eee PC Light Saber”, the spec sheet on this little beauty is enough to satisfy even the most active users. The 1005HA-EU1X-BK comes with an Intel Atom (that’s a dual core CPU), 1GB RAM and 160GB drive… not to mention a respectable 10.1″ LCD display. Parents – if netbooks are on your Christmas list this year – definitely checkout this model; you’ll make your kids and your pocket book very happy.

CPU: Intel Atom (dual core), 1.6GHz
Display: 10.1″ LCD
Total HD Size: 160GB SATA
Memory: 1GB
Weight: 2.42 lbs
Price: $299 – $377
More information available at Amazon.com

Best Keyboard

HP Mini 1000 Netbook
HP’s Mini 1000 netbook wins for the most comfortable and usable keyboard in any netbook. The comfy travel companion features a light weight chassis, Intel Atom processor and a keyboard borrowed from one of HP’s business-class models, the 2133 Mini-Note PC. While the fast dual core processor and no-hassle keyboard were well received by our review staff, the shiny screen does take a bit of getting used to; but if you have big hands or trouble fat-fingering your full sized laptop, the HP Mini 1000 would be an excellent choice.

CPU: Intel Atom (dual core), 1.6GHz
Display: 10.2″ LED
Total HD Size: 60GB PATA
Memory: 1GB DDR2
Weight: 2.25 lbs
Price: $389 – $500
Product images and detail at Amazon.com

Best Display

MSI U210-008US 12.1-Inch Black Netbook
With a relatively massive 12.1” display, the MSI U210-008US wins for best display. Max resolution on this netbook surpasses most in the category: 1366 x 768. As if the AMD Radeon X1250 graphics processor and 2GB of system memory, weren’t enough, MSI deployed this mini-might with a 250GB SATA drive, which is the perfect combination for viewing movies on the go. If you’re looking for a great laptop with a great display, MSI’s U210-008US is the clear choice.

CPU: AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 (1.60Ghz)
Display: 12.1″ LED
Total HD Size: 250GB SATA
Memory: 2GB
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Price: $429 – $461
Product images and detail at Amazon.com

Best Storage

Acer Aspire One AO751h-1273 Netbook
The Acer Aspire One family of netbooks is neck and neck with other netbook series, like the HP mini note and Asus Eee PC. This notebook however packs a whopping 250GB of disk space with 2GB RAM and an Intel Atom 1.33Ghz processor – for under $350. While others in its class offer the same specifications, no other netbook offers the same combination of power, comfortable display size (11.6”) and drive space for the dollar.

CPU: Intel Atom (dual core), 1.33GHz
Display: 11.6″ LED
Total HD Size: 250GB SATA
Memory: 2GB
Weight: 2.97 lbs
Price: $330 – $450
More information available at Amazon.com

Best CPU

Acer Aspire One AO751h-1273 White Intel Atom Z520
Dual core CPUs are available in a wide range of netbooks, with the Intel Atom series processor being the favorite for most manufacturers to deploy. The best of the dual core processors is the coveted Intel Atom Z520 processor. This CPU out tests all other netbook-based CPUs in benchmark tests. While it is available in a limited number of models, our choice for best CPU is the Acer Aspire One A0751h, because of everything else… just look at the stats below, 11.6″ Hi-def display, 250GB SATA drive, 2GB RAM, and up to 7 hours of battery life. Available in black, white, red and blue.

CPU: 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z520 Processor (dual core)
Display: 11.6″ LCD
Total HD Size: 250GB SATA
Memory: 2GB
Weight: 3 lbs
Price: $330 – $450
More information available at Amazon.com

Best Tablet

ASUS Eee PC Touch T91 8.9-Inch Black Tablet Netbook
The ASUS Eee PC series has done it again with the release of the “Touch” series. In the notebook world, you would expect to pay at least $1500 for tablet technology… the Eee PC Touch series shatters that pricing and delivers the ultimate in portability as well. Roughly the size of a paperback novel, the Eee PC T91 is the world’s smallest and slimmest touch PC. Considering that the T91 comes with the fastest dual core netbook CPU available and a 16GB solid state hard drive, there is very little to complain about with this portable wonder.

CPU: Intel Atom Z520 Processor 1.33GHz (dual core)
Display: 8.9″ LCD
Total HD Size: 16GB Solid State Drive
Memory: 1GB
Weight: 2.11 lbs
Price: $497 – $620
More information available at Amazon.com

Best Linux Netbook

HP Mini 1110NR 8.9-Inch Netbook
For Internet wayfarers looking for a netbook in a Linux flavor, HP makes a very nice; very light 8.9″ netbook, complete with solid state hard drive. While it isn’t the most heavily armored netbook available, it’s perfectly designed for the systems administrator on the move. Whether you’re consoling a downed server or bringing the network back online, this little HP can be toted along with you everywhere you go… and you’ll be going in style as well, as this HP not only looks good, but also boasts HP’s BrightView display format.

CPU: Intel Atom N270 Processor 1.6GHz (dual core)
Display: 8.9” LCD
Total HD Size: 8GB Solid State Drive
Memory: 512MB
Weight: 2.25 lbs
Price: $379 – $445
More information available at Amazon.com

Best Battery

ASUS Eee PC 1101HA-MU1X-BK Seashell Netbook
11 hours of battery life. That’s really all you need to know. This outstanding netbook boasts 11 (yes, eleven) hours of battery life, Bluetooth and Intel’s most powerful netbook processor. What’s even more amazing than it’s 11-hour work day is the fact that it comes with an 11.6″ display. We tested this particular model on the way to a tradeshow with phenomenal results… it lasted the entire day, from sun up to sun down, without ever being shut off (just don’t tell the stewardesses we didn’t turn it off prior to departure).

CPU: Intel Menlow Z520 Processor 1.3Ghz (dual core)
Display: 11.6″ LCD
Total HD Size: 160GB SATA
Memory: 1GB, upgradable to 2GB
Weight: 3.08 lbs
Price: $410 – $537
More information available at Amazon.com