Netbook Guide: How to Choose an HP Mini Netbook

With the global recession continuing to nag at the wallet of consumers everywhere, we're all looking for ways to cut back on our bottom line while still enjoying some of our toys and other gadgetry on the cheap. The netbook, as it turns out, filled this niche quite well, and sales have continued to grow exponentially despite the economic downturn. In essence, an hp netbook allows you to have your cake it and eat it too, maximizing portability while still maintaining a full keyboard, decent monitor size, and enough processing power to get the job done.

Now, there are a number of players in the netbook field, but one of the most popular (and reliable) are the line of HP netbooks. Perusing over a random technology related site, however, will bombard you with options, features, prices, and other configurations that you may or may not need. You'll need to narrow down your search by asking a few important questions about your netbook needs.

What's My Price Range? A good way of deciding on an HP netbook is by considering the amount that you are willing to shell out and customizing your needs to meet that target. Netbooks tend to be pretty flexible in terms of configuration, so don't be afraid to experiment with different loadouts.

How Much Power? Computer hobbyists tend to be like people that really love their car. They want as much as much power, speed, and graphics capability as they can fit into the tiny, confined space that is your computer. Unfortunately, the more power you pour into your machine, the more you can expect to pay at the checkout counter, too.

How Big? Despite the fact that netbooks are already on the small size, each model has it's own size specifications, and you'll want to take that into account when making your purchase for an HP Netbook. The HP Mini 1000 would likely fit into your handbag, but the Mini 110 runs on the fatter side. Adjust accordingly.

Finding the netbook that's right for you doesn't have to be like pulling teeth, just be sure to take your time, shop around, and pay attention to the specs that matter to you. At the end of the day it may or may not be the beefiest netbook out there that's right for you, but the price point is just high enough that you'll want to be satisfied with your decision.

Netbook Review: HP Mini 110-1037NR 10.1-Inch Netbook

Design: While its predecessor the HP Mini 1000 offered a sleek and slim design, the HP Mini 110-1037NR is a bit thicker and heavier by comparison. The HP Mini 110-1037NR still retains the same look though with the same great keyboard with comfortable to use wide keys and wide touch pad as its predecessor. At 10.2x6.6 inches and 1.2 inch height the netbook is a bit bigger while at 2.6 pounds slightly heavier. The 10.1-inch screen makes for better viewing due to the matte surface instead of the usual glossy screen reducing screen glare.

Specifications: The HP Mini 110-1037NR is priced about $70 less than its sleeker looking predecessor but features more or less the same components. The only slightly cut-back component is the 10.1 inch wide screen display which has a 1024x576 native resolution slight lower than the more standard 1024x600 pixel resolution. Everything else remains the same with an Intel Atom N270 processor running at 1.6GHz, 1GB worth of 533MHz DDR2 RAM and a 160GB hard disk drive. The chipset remains the Mobile Intel 945GM Express with the Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics. Connection-wise the netbook comes with a VGA port, a combo headphone/mic jack, three USB 2.0 ports, a card reader and an Ethernet LAN port. The netbook stays connected via wi-fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth.

Features & Performance: Thanks to the standard components the HP Mini 110-1037NR delivers enough power to handle most office applications, surfing the Internet, writing emails and some multimedia. The built-in speakers aren't much to shout about but you can watch YouTube and most video files with ease. The batteries on this model can last about 2 hours and 20 minutes on a single charge. However, this time period is exclusively for semi-HD video. The netbooks should last longer if you're using it for something less intensive like document writing or surfing the Internet. Overall, the HP Mini 110-1037NR's keyboard was very comfortable to use while the screen did actually reduce screen glare making it great for the document writer, student and office worker with a constrained budget on the go.

HP Mini 110 10.1-inch Netbook

Many laptop users are reluctant to resort to a netbook due to the cramped keyboards that is not very easy to type on. For this reason, the HP Mini 110 10.1-inch netbook would be the perfect choice. It is almost unanimous across the PC world that the HP mini has the best keyboard on any netbook. They keyboard layout is so good that it almost feels like you are typing on a full-sized keyboard.

Like many netbooks, the HP Mini 110 10.1-inch netbook has an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. Unlike the older model, this one has a matte screen surface that is much easier to view in bright lighting conditions. They touch pad is a little small but I personally seldom use the track pad anyway.

HP's great customer support is another great reason to get a HP Mini 110 10.1-inch netbook. It comes with a comprehensive manual and if that is not enough, you can refer to the online knowledge base or contact their 24-1 customer support service.

It comes in three colors, namely black, white and pink. Unlike other netbooks that sport plain colors, the HP Mini 110 10.1-inch netbook has a subtle swirl pattern on its external casing, which is a nice addition to its design. It runs on Windows XP (with service pack 3) and is powered by a 6-cell battery. Overall, it is a well-rounded netbook, with competent specs and an ergonomic design. At the time of writing, this little netbook is going for around $345 each.