10 Hot Netbooks — From Pricey to Dirt Cheap

Why are so many people buying netbooks? Well, they're light as a feather and fulfill all the basic computing needs. But it's the killer price that seals the deal for many. Here we highlight top-selling netbooks, from the (relatively) high end to the under-$300 range.

By Shane O'Neill

Consumers and business users are scooping up netbooks. While fourth-quarter sales in the PC industry in 2008 were dismal, netbooks showed growth, and these lightweight machines are also expected to drive laptop sales in the next couple years, according to IDC.

The reasons? They satisfy basic computing needs for e-mail, Web surfing and word processing. They're ultra-portable. And—best of all—they're a lot cheaper than general-purpose laptops, an important selling point in our cash-strapped times.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook

The super-light Dell Inspiron Mini 9 offers the choice between Windows XP Home and Ubuntu Linux. Windows XP will cost you more.

Cost: Ranges from $250 to $400, depending on how machine is customized. (Source: Dell website)
Screen size: 8.9 inches
CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
RAM: 512MB (Linux) or 1GB (Windows XP)
Storage: 16GB solid state drive
Battery: 4 cell
Operating System: Windows XP Home or Ubuntu Linux
Weight: 2.3 pounds
Image credit: Dell.com