Top Netbooks: the Eight Best Netbooks Compared

Check out the list of top netbooks:

ASUS 1000HE // Acer Aspire One // Samsung NC10 // Dell Inspiron Mini 9/Mini 10

HP 2140 Mini // Lenovo IdeaPad S10/S10e // MSI Wind // Sony Lifestyle PC

8) Sony VAIO VGN-P588E Lifestyle PC

Base price: $1,199

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There are all the other netbooks, and then there’s…the Sony VAIO Lifestyle PC. While the other competitors strive to romance the bottom end of the market, the Lifestyle PC turns up its nose and offers pure luxury and ultra-fashionable design (well, that’s the idea, at least).

Indeed, Sony doesn’t even condescend to refer to this unit as a “netbook.” Netbooks, apparently, are for the unwashed masses. This machine is a “Lifestyle PC.” Goodness, where are the polo ponies?

The price tag of $1,200 is obviously only for those can’t be bothered by trifles like money. At about three times the cost of some netbooks, one looks at the Lifestyle PC and expects to be awestruck at the splendiferous wonder of this little bauble.

And, if you’re just looking at it across a crowded nightclub, and its holder is gorgeous creature who’s coiffed to the max, then the effect might work. With a shiny red garnet case (or other sexy colors), thin as a handful of diet crackers (less than one inch), and the sleek VAOI logo – in the right light, it just might be impressive.

The fitted leather case says “yes, I’m hot, so what?” At 1.4 pounds, this is as lightweight as any netbook.

The actual machine, though, is less concerned with function than form. The 8-inch screen is one of the smallest among the new posse of netbooks, meaning it fits well into a large handbag but is less useful for surfing. The small trackpoint navigation wins no awards for ergonomic ease of use.

Sony earns points for packing this tiny machine with 2 GB of RAM (then again, memory is cheap, and for $1,200 I’d expect it). Of course since the Lifestyle PC comes with Vista – which is too bulky for most pared-down netbooks – the extra RAM helps.

The Lifestyle PC also impresses with the built-in mobile broadband (though it does require a monthly contract with Verizon). A costly option, yes, but quite cool.

Bottom line: Until Apple releases a netbook, the Lifestyle PC (don’t you just love that name?) holds a firm but snazzy grip on the fashion option. But for this kind of money, it’s the ultra-deluxe choice.

Netbook reviews: Sony VAIO Lifestyle PC

Notebook Review glows that the Sony VAIO Lifestyle PC “fits inside your jacket pocket or your purse and packs an amazing amount of technology inside a tiny package…If you plan to purchase the VAIO P as a lightweight travel laptop it might just be the perfect laptop on the market.” However, the publication faults the unit for its weak processor.

CNET says the Lifestyle PC “has components of a cheaper machine but the design of a more expensive one.”

Specs:

Intel Atom Z520 1.33 GHz Processor; 2 USB; 8" LED backlit ultra-wide display; 2 GM RAM; 64 BG solid state drive; Mobile Intel 945GSE; Intel GMA 500 graphics; built-in GPS; 3G mobile-broadband antenna; headphone/microphone jacks; Ethernet (via dongle), 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WWAN, six-cell battery runs about five hours; built-in webcam.

The Sony Lifestyle PC (photos courtesy of Sony)

Check out the list of top netbooks:

ASUS 1000HE // Acer Aspire One // Samsung NC10 // Dell Inspiron Mini 9/Mini 10

HP 2140 Mini // Lenovo IdeaPad S10/S10e // MSI Wind // Sony Lifestyle PC