NetBook Deathmach (Model Netbook aku Champion, Horay!)

I don’t know how I missed this article by laptopmag at the end of last month, but I’m posting this here for people who may have missed it. Laptopmag compared five 10.2″ netbooks, all with very similar configurations, yet have subtle little differences which may turn out to be “major” differentiators for different people. It’s worth a read.

The five netbooks are:

1. Samsung NC10
2. MSI Wind U100
3. Lenovo IdeaPad S10
4. HP Mini 1000
5. ASUS Eee PC 1000H

Click on each netbook name and model to see laptopmag’s individual review. The netbooks were assessed on the basis of:

1. performance
2. design
3. usability
4. battery life
5. value

If you’re too lazy to read the entire 5 page article, here’s their verdict:

Of these five netbooks, the Samsung NC10 came out on top in six categories–Design, Screen, Keyboard, Trackpad, Battery, Value–and got decent scores in every other area, earning its place as the best 10-inch netbook we’ve seen so far.

No other 10-inch netbook came close to the Samsung’s number of wins. The MSI Wind and the Lenovo IdeaPad S10 both only lost one category each (Screen and Battery, respectively) and received high marks in most other areas. They’re both less than the Samsung, and are excellent choices if price is a major consideration.

The HP Mini 1000 and the ASUS Eee PC 1000H both came in last in four categories. While the HP redeemed itself with two wins — Wi-Fi and Keyboard — The Eee PC can only claim superiority in port placement, which isn’t nearly as crucial as Keyboard, Trackpad, and Wi-Fi performance. Unfortunately these failings put it in last place.

Source. So there you have it. Since the Samsung NC10 is not available in Malaysia, the default winner is the MSI Wind. Yeah, yeah, I’ve always been biased towards the Wind since I own one, but hey, it’s bias with a good reason, no?

As usual, take what they write with a pinch of salt – what they say is important may not be, and vice versa. You decide what is important for yourself since every one of us is unique in our requirements.