HP Pavilion dv4-2153cl (2010)

When I reviewed the HP Pavilion dv4-1540us I was impressed with its performance, stylish design, and generous port selection, but lamented the absence of a high resolution display and discrete graphics. This time around the HP Pavilion dv4-2153cl ($749.99), available at Costco, offers the latest Intel Core i3 "Arrandale" processor and sports a slightly different look than the dv4-1540us. However, the screen is still a relatively low-res panel, and while the graphics solution is somewhat improved, it is still integrated. Additionally, I expected a longer battery life from a 14-inch notebook.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $749.99 List
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 330M
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.2 lb
• Screen Size: 14.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Integrated Intel GMA X4500HD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

HP Mini 210-1032NR (2010)

The newest addition to HP's line of consumer netbooks, the HP Mini 210-1032NR ($349.99 list) introduces a sleek new look and is based on Intel's "Pine Trail" platform, which includes the low-voltage Atom N450 CPU and the NM10 Express Chipset. This reasonably priced 10-inch netbook offers very good battery life and a nice variety of ports, and because it is a Costco model, it comes with a two year warranty. However, its overall performance is nothing to write home about, and the touchpad's erratic behavior can be maddening.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $349.99 List
• Type: General Purpose, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N450
• Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.8 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA 3150
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n

HP Mini 5102

The HP Mini 2140 started out as a very desirable business netbook, and it just kept getting better from there. A product of two years' worth of improvements, the HP Mini 5102 is a masterfully engineered netbook that small business users, government officials, and even school children could carry around with pride. Everything about it is as impressively executed as the previous Mini 5101, from the metallic frame, the world-class keyboard and mouse buttons, to the all-day battery life. This version comes with a variety of improvements, including a new Intel Atom processor (and platform), almost 11 hours of battery life (via the optional 6-cell battery, though) , and new options for a carrying handle and touch screen. Although the $400, HP "Smartbuy" configuration, with the 29Wh battery (4-cell), is a terrific buy, we suggest paying $25 more to upgrade to the 6-cell option.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $400.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Business, Small Business, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N450
• Processor Speed: 1.67 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.8 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA 3150
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

M&A Companion PC 10 $449.00 List

You would be hard-pressed to identify many features—or any software—of the M&A Companion PC 10 ($449 list) that specifically targets students under the age of 12. In fact, with the exception of the rubberized handle, M&A has done very little to reveal this netbook's ambition to go to school. The Companion PC 10, like most netbooks that are designed for bulk sale to school districts, faithfully follows Intel's Classmate PC reference design. Unlike consumer models like the Disney Netpal by ASUS (which comes in "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue") or Dell Mini Nickelodeon Edition (which promises kids "the slime of your life" with the Nickelodeon network's trademark motif), the M&A Companion PC 10 has a clean, generic look that makes it appropriate for children of any age or either gender.

M&A Technology Inc

http://www.macomp.com

• Price as Tested: $449.00 List
• Type: Tablet, Small Business, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.8 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 945GSE
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

2Go Convertible Classmate PC

We should all pay homage to a little laptop known as the Intel Classmate PC. Without it, there wouldn't be a category called netbooks, and ultraportables in the 2 to 4 pound range would still cost you an arm and a leg. While most netbooks have gone on and evolved into more complex designs, the Classmate has been and still is a netbook aimed at classrooms, particularly in developing nations. The 2Go Convertible Classmate PC ($499 street) by CTL Corp. has a rotating screen and touch capabilities this time around, complete with a carrying handle. Although the bundled education software and average netbook parts are classroom-worthy, parents and kids will find more appeal in the Disney Netpal by ASUS.

Computer Technology Link Corporation (CTL)

http://www.ctlcorp.com

• Price as Tested: $499.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 3 lb
• Screen Size: 8.9 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 3 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External