Article

Small is the new big

The latest netbooks perform like the real thing
Issue: Sep, 2009
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 Small isn't generally something that we here at NOX like to use to describe manly objects, but the idea of not having to lug around a five-kilo laptop is more than a little intriguing. This new generation of netbooks are sleek, small, and clearly for the man who has to compensate for nothing. 

 
Dell Mini 9
This little laptop is the lord and master of all hackintoshes. For those of you with lives and girlfriends, a hackintosh is a PC that's operating system has been changed to OS-X, making it basically a much cheaper Mac that can integrate with PC extras. The basic Mini 9 with a 4 GB hard drive will cost $300, making it excellent value.
 
Samsung N510 Ion
With the same 9400M graphics chip found in Macbooks, this netbook packs some power behind it that is unique in its sector. The N510 Ion contains 1366x 768 HDMI powered by its Intel Atom, all packed into only 11.6 inches. It handles high definition content like a pro – maybe even like a Macbook Pro – but setting the price at $600 greatly overestimates the value of its 1 GB of RAM. 
 
Toshiba Mini NB205
Although Toshiba sat the first round out when the netbook game started, its performance now is anything but amateur. The NB205's unique design features a comfortable keyboard, hard drive protection and a USB port charges it when the system is off. And with over 9 hours of battery life, $400 is very competitive for this small player's performance.
 
Sony Vaio W
Along with the standard features, Sony bring Bluetooth, two USB ports, a webcam, and SD card readers into its 10.1 netbook. It also packs in a keyboard that's 86 per cent the size of a normal keyboard for your man hands, and easily configures with your PC or PlayStation 3. Still, $500 is a bit much to fork over for your own sugar white or cocoa brown VAIO – and never, ever berry pink...