HP Mini 210-2000

HP Mini 210-2000

Light, portable, cheap - these are the defining characteristics of a netbook. These pint-sized devices offer basic Internet access and computing capability in a portable package, with a smaller price tag than a standard laptop. The HP Mini 210-2000 ($599 direct) checks off all of the required boxes, but won't blow you away in any given category considering its parts. What it will do is go the distance in terms of battery life. Weighing in at just under 3 pounds, the Mini 210-2000 offers great portability for the mobile user that will do anything to lighten their load, and is only a few ounces heavier than the 2.5-pound Acer Aspire One AOD255-1203 ($329.99 street, 4 stars), the lightest netbook we've reviewed. Students will appreciate that it's lighter than the average textbook, and small enough that it can fit easily into a backpack or large hand bag. The Mini 210-2000 also functions as a colorful accessory, available in Charcoal (Dark Grey), Luminous Rose (Pink), and Ocean Drive (Blue). The plastic chassis may not be as thin as the Acer AOD255-1203 or offer the aluminum finish of the HP Mini 5103 ($650 street, 4 stars), it has a semi-gloss finish that hides fingerprints and smudges, keeping a clean look.