Getting a netbook may seem straightforward at first, but it is, in reality, a careful balancing act of compromises. The secret is in knowing which features you need and which ones you don’t need. Some like Asus VivoBook has a careful balance of everything, while others like HP Spectre x360 sacrifice cost for value.
1. Dell Inspiron 11 3195 i3195-A525GRY-PUS
Its 1366 x 768p HD screen isn’t quite 1080p or 4K, but combines excellently with the Radeon R5 GPU. The screen also has LED backlighting to optimize brightness and includes touchscreen capabilities. You can choose to use the netbook as a tablet or as a laptop which adds more value to it.
Features
- 11.6” HD display
- AMD A9-9420e W
- 64GB eMMC and 4GB DDR4
- 802.11bgn Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 4.1 and USB 3.1
- 3GHz clock speed
Pros
- Ultra-cheap
- Offers touchscreen and backlighting
- Two-in-one functionality
- Powerful and efficient
- Offers more than 10 hours runtime
- Super-lightweight
Cons
- Offers Windows S instead of Home
- Small storage
Price: View on Amazon
2. ASUS L203MA-DS04 VivoBook L203MA
Intel Celeron N4000 is an odd processor to see in a 2023 gaming laptop. However, it’s one of the best coprocessors you’ll ever find in a Netbook. Asus’s VivoBook has an 11.6″ HD LED screen that displays at 1366 x 768p and boasts of an HD webcam. The numerous components also include a 4G DDR4 and 64GB eMMC, all weighing in at a mere 2.2lbs.
Features
- Windows 10 S
- Dual-Core 2.6GHz 4M Cache CPU
- Google Classroom compatible
- 10 hours runtime
- 802.11ac wireless and Bluetooth 4.1
- 180⁰ hinge
- USB C and 3.1
Pros
- Ultra-slim and portable
- Uses the latest connections
- High-performance
- Built-in Intel HD Graphics
- Low price
Cons
- Uses Windows 10 S
- Outdated and slow processor
Price: View on Amazon
3. HP Spectre x360-13t Quad Core13.3″ 2-in-1 Convertible
It has the latest processors and other hardware that blows everything else on our list out of the water. Unfortunately, its price is also similarly sky-high. However, if you want a Netbook on a high budget, there’s no better choice than HP x360-13t convertible laptop.
Features
- 512GB PCle
- 13.3” 1080p IPS micro-edge touchscreen
- Quad-Core 4GHz 8th-gen Core-i7-8550U
- Windows 10 Home
- 16GB DDR4
- Thunderbolt 3
- TrueVision FHD IR webcam
- USB 3.1
- Intel UHD 620 Graphics
- 8MB cache
- 14 hours of battery life
Pros
- Two-in-one convertible
- Supports turbo boost
- Ultra-lightweight and slim
- Supports HP stylus
- The screen uses LCD technology
Cons
- Expensive
- Can overheat
Price: View on Amazon
4. Acer High-Performance Spin 11.6inch FHD Multi-Touch
Despite its small 11.6” screen size, Acer Spin operates at 2.5GHz with a 1080p HD resolution LED-backlit IPS. While it isn’t a two-in-one design, it does have a multi-touch screen and a 270⁰ hinge for convenience.
Features
- 64GB eMMC storage
- Quad-Core Intel Pentium N4200
- FHD display
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 4GB DDR3L
- 802.11ac wireless
- Eight-hour battery life
- Windows 10 S
Pros
- Cheap
- Offers FHD high resolution
- Storage is large enough
- CPU clocks 3GHz on turbo
- The screen is bright and supports touch use
Cons
- RAM isn’t DDR4
- Outdated CPU
Price: View on Amazon
5. HP Pavilion X2 10.1-inch Detachable
Pavilion X2 is another two-in-one netbook with surprisingly small storage and over 12 hours of battery life. It performs superbly with its 10.1” LED screen and Intel HD video card to support its 1280 x 800p resolution. Unfortunately, X2 runs Windows 8 instead of 10 and its low-grade processor also doesn’t help.
Features
- 2GB DDR3L and 32GB SSD
- Windows 8.1 OS
- Quad-core Intel Atom Z3736F CPU
- 10.1” screen
- 802.11abg wireless
- Intel HD Graphics
Pros
- Durable construction
- Can also function as a tablet
- Lightweight with a durable build
- Stylish layout
Cons
- Inflated price
- Low storage, RAM, and processor grade