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There’s so many netbooks out there that I can’t keep up with it anymore.  It seems like with every passing day, somebody has a new netbook out.  I’m focusing on 12 inch netbooks today.  Yes, you can get a 12 inch notebook, but depending on your needs, you might not need a full notebook.

I’ll cover the Samsung NC20 and the Acer Aspire One 751h series.  The Acer isn’t exactly a 12 inch model, but 11.6″ is  close enough.

Samsung NC20

• VIA Nano U2250 (1.3+ GHz)
• On board graphic processor with shared memory
• 12.1″ WXGA Screen 1280 x 800
• 1GB Memory
• 160 GB Hard drive
• Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Web cam
• 802.11b/g wireless
• Bluetooth
• 3 USB ports
• SD Card Slot
• 6 Cell Battery
• 3.3 lbs.
• Windows XP Home

Amazon.com Price $499

Acer Aspire One 751h

• Intel Atom Z520 (1.33 GHz)
• 11.6″ WXGA Screen 1366 x 768
• Intel GMA 500 Graphic processor with shared memory
• 1 or 2 GB memory
• 160 or 250 GB Hard drive
• Built-in web cam
• 802.11b/g wireless
• Bluetooth
• 3 USB ports
• SD Card Slot
• 6 Cell Battery
• 2.97 lbs.
• Windows XP or Vista

Amazon.com $399 with the lower options with XP.

Update:  Looks like Amazon just removed the XP model from their site.  However, newegg.com has it in stock.

Newegg.com $350 with the lower options with XP.

Amazon.com $380 + Free Shipping with the higher options with Vista.

With the Acer, I highly suggest you get the XP model because netbooks are just not strong enough to run Vista.  On that note, some full size notebooks are not strong enough to run Vista.  My desktop with an Intel Q9650 Quad core didn’t like Vista.  Bottom line, don’t get Vista.  I’m not sure what manufacturers are thinking when they put Vista on a netbook.  Sure, it’ll run, but you don’t power for anything else.

Of these two netbooks, the Acer is the slower model.  The Atom Z520 is newer than the standard Atom N270/N280, but the N-series CPU has more power.  Between the Samsung NC20 and the Acer Aspire One, the Samsung NC20 with the VIA Nano CPU is faster.  However, both models still struggle to play HD video.  Don’t even think about playing high quality Youtube videos.

The Samsung is more expensive than the Acer.  But for the extra $100, the NC20 offer a better a build quality.  My major complaints with most netbooks is that it feels like a toy.  These two netbooks are not full desktop or notebook replacements.  Instead, they are good for light duty office tasks and light internet use while mobile.  If you rely heavily on your computer for work or play, it’s best to get something with more power and a dedicated graphic option.