Best Netbooks for Traveling

· by Julie Blakley · in Tech Gear, Computers & Accessories

Netbooks seem to be the new rage in tech gear these days (especially for all the flashpackers and tech loving travelers out there). But, what are netbooks and how are they different from notebooks? (at least that’s what I asked myself) Netbooks are light-weight, low-cost, energy-efficient and highly portable and compact little laptops. While these mini computers have fewer features and less processing power than more conventional laptops, these little computers are perfect for browsing the web, doing word processing and performing other general purpose applications.

Netbooks exploded onto the market recently when Asus released their Eee PC in 2007. The 2 pound computer with a 7 inch screen and intel Celeron processor. Since then, many other companies have been developing their own netbooks, incorporating hard disk drives, bigger screens and keyboards and other features—all while aiming to keep these little computer compact, light-weight and low-cost while making them highly functioning and easy to use.

Following the release of the Asus netbbok, competing companies like Everex, HP, Sony, and MSI also released their own version of the netbook and with sales projected to rise up to 50 million by 2012 and sales up from 400,000 in 2007 to 11.4 million in 2008, it looks like netbooks are the new wave in the future of portable, wireless devices.

With these compact, lightweight and low-cost (most netbooks range between $300-$800) and perfect travel computers flying off shelves (maybe the suffering economy is giving these low-cost alternatives a boost?).

Here are some rundowns of some of the best netbooks out there on the market right now:

← Asus Eee PC 1000 NetbookMarmot Aura 2P Tent →