Unlike Vista, which was actually a downgrade for netbooks relative to Windows XP, Windows 7 is an excellent operating system for all netbooks. Windows 7 is much better at being forgiving on low-end hardware than Vista was and has new interface features which make using a Windows 7 netbook more pleasant than using one with Windows XP. Better yet, Windows 7 makes improvements to power management, which means that Windows 7 netbooks last between 10 and 20 percent longer than those with Windows XP.
However, not all netbooks are shipping with Windows 7. The three below do, and are generally some of the best netbooks you can find with the Windows 7 operating system.
ASUS Eee PC 1005PE
The 1005PE is sold for around $370
The is a classic netbook. It is simple, easy to use, and doesn’t do anything to put the user off. The is one of the newer models, which means it takes advantage of Intel’s new Pinetrail platform. This does not result in better performance, but it has allowed ASUS to squeeze an impressive 14 hour battery life out the six-cell battery which comes with the netbook. That’s almost enough for two work days of unplugged computing.
The ‘s other states are impressive as well. It ships with a 250GB hard drive rather than the typical 160GB model and it also has wireless N capability, Bluetooth, and a built in webcam. There really isn’t much that you won’t find in the 1005PE, which makes its typical price of around $370 all the more impressive.
Windows 7 Starter ships with the . Starter does not include the Aero theme and limits the ways in which the operating system can be customized. These limitations are a little annoying, but won’t be deal-breaker for most netbook users.
Toshiba Mini NB205
The Toshiba Mini 205 can be had for around $300
I’ve always been a big supporter of the . I love the fact that it looks like a real, professional product and not a toy. I love the keyboard, which is spacious and excellent to use when typing (which I obviously do a lot of). And I love the trackpad, which is the size of Texas and has no gimmicks which reduce its functionality.
Admittedly, the is getting a bit on in years – or should I say months. The product hasn’t been on the market for long, but since its introduce Pinetrail has arrived. The still uses the older Atom platform which means (only) 9 hours of battery life. Even so, if you plan on using you netbook every day, I recommend the Toshiba. The excellent keyboard and trackpad make it a joy to use. The older hardware also afford you a significant discount, as the NB205 is running around $300 these days.
The NB205 ships with Windows 7 start just like the ASUS 1005PE. The same limitations apply.
The HP Mini 311 1025NR costs around $500
HP Mini 311-1025NR
The has always been cut from different cloth than other netbooks. I love it for many of the reasons I love the NB205. The looks like a real laptop, has an excellent keyboard, and has a great trackpad.
But the has Nvidia ION graphics on board, which is its real game-changer. The inclusion of ION allows the to play videos and games which neither the 1005PE or NB205 could dream of handling. Want to watch Youtube HD? Only the Mini 311 can do it. Want to play a game of Civilization 4? Only the can provide a satisfactory experience. There is a price to pay in battery life, as the Mini 311 only manages around 6 hours, but I think many users will find it a worthwhile trade.
The 1025NR versions of the HP Mini 311 which I am recommending has a second ace up its sleeve – Windows 7 Home Premium. Unlike the other two, the Mini 311 has a fully unlocked version of Windows 7. This does cost you, however, as the HP Mini 311 1025NR usually runs just shy of $500.
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