HP Mini 210-1142CL

HP Mini 210-1142CL

When it comes to netbooks, Costco generally stocks its shelves with HP and Acer models because they offer a good bang for the buck. The HP Mini 210-1142CL ($369.99 list) isn't much of a looker, but it has some key components that other netbooks may not have at this price. Most notably, a speedy 7,200rpm hard drive, two-year Costco warranty, and a high-capacity battery that delivers more than 9 hours of life. If you can make some adjustments with the moody click-touchpad, this affordable netbook is a keeper. The Mini 210-1142CL's decorative imprints, laminated into the black glossy plastics, is growing stale as netbook manufacturers are using brighter colors, textures that mimic fabric, and metal chassis. It's less attractive than the Toshiba mini NB305-N410 ($400 direct, ) and Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 ($370 direct, ), which use textured plastics that don't pick up as many fingerprints and smudges. Vivid colors, such as those offered by the Samsung N210 ($380 street, ) and Dell Inspiron mini 10s (HD) ($425 direct, ), are excellent attention-getters. By far the most attractive designs are those that use sleek metals, such as the HP Mini 5102 ($400 direct, ) and Nokia Booklet 3G ($600 street, ).