5 Almost Perfect Windows 7 Netbooks

Windows 7 has been devised to run on low powered computers like netbooks. Unlike its immediate predecessor, Vista, Windows 7 has been successfully running on machines that have the same computing power as 10-year old workstations.

(ed: you might want to read 5 Business Ultra Portable Notebooks For Windows 7 Professional that covers a slightly similar market segment. Also since many of those netbooks do not have any optical drive, we've compiled a "Windows 7 And Solid State Storage : Installation & Configuration" article that looks at how to install Windows 7 from DVD onto a USB flash drive).

The five netbooks (or sub laptops depending on your definition of smartbook) that we have selected should run Windows 7 very easily. Only two of them come with Windows 7, something that prospective customers will have to bear in mind. 

The cheapest of the lot is the Hannspree Hannsnote SN10E1. At £199 (after £40 cashback from Misco and expires on the 31st of December), it rates amongst the best netbooks available in this price range.

With a 1.17Kg weight and a 10-inch 1024x600 widescreen display, it is not different from the dozens of existing netbooks currently on the market.

You get the same N270 processor running at 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 160GB hard disk drive, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics, a webcam, Windows XP Home, a few I/O ports and a three-cell battery which should last up to five hours. A decent, honestly built netbook whose main attribute is its rock bottom price.

Windows 7 will run correctly on it assuming you've switched off all power hogging services - like Aero. Alternatively, we'd suggest the MSI Wind U100, which is available either in black or white, from Ebuyer for £199.99 including delivery. The SN10E1 and the U100 are factory siblings it seems.