Mabye gettin' a Netbook - recommendations?

[Alferd Packer]

Our family laptop just went tits up, or as my wife put it, to Computer Jeebus. At any rate, I thought a good replacement would be a netbook of some variety, as its role is only web browsing and word processing, and lightweight is win.

I don't want to have Windows of any persuasion on it, as everyone in my houshold is comfortable around Linux. I just saw Easy Peasy which would appear to do what I want, provided I got one of the Eee netbooks.

But, since I've been out of the hardware loop for years now, what should I look for in a netbook? Can I get one from the factory with a flavor of Linux installed on it? Can I get one with a blank hard drive? Are there brands I should avoid? Dole out rich, creamy ladles of knowledge for me to consume, and ever will I be grateful.

[phongn]

Samsung's NC10 and Asus' 1000HE are both good.

[Beowulf]

HP's new Mini 5101 looks good too... Might come only preloaded with Windows though.

[The Kernel]

I highly recommend the Asus EePC 1005HA. It hits all the right marks that a netbook should and has stellar battery life to boot.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Asus 1005HA looks aesthetically better, but has shorter battery life compared against the 1000HE I think.

[The Kernel]

Asus 1005HA looks aesthetically better, but has shorter battery life compared against the 1000HE I think.

CNET testing says the reverse actually with the 1005HA coming out ahead in battery life tests (although not by much).

[Netko]

Getting Windows shouldn't trouble you too much - the XPs they ship with netbooks cost 12$ I think, so if you like a model that comes only with Windows its not like you're being horribly overcharged for something you won't use. Of course, if you go down that route, and plan to use Linux, be sure to check if the hardware is supported.

[Starglider]

If you get a little 12/13" one, an external (wireless) keyboard is pretty much a necessity for word processing. Unless you have tiny hands I guess.

[TheLostVikings]

If you get a little 12/13" one, an external (wireless) keyboard is pretty much a necessity for word processing. Unless you have tiny hands I guess.

A laptop with a 12" inch screen is just that, a laptop. But yes, this is decent advice if you use it as your primary computer when you are at home as well.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

Asus 1005HA looks aesthetically better, but has shorter battery life compared against the 1000HE I think.

CNET testing says the reverse actually with the 1005HA coming out ahead in battery life tests (although not by much).

That's odd considering the similarity in specs.

[Alferd Packer]

Well, those Asus Eee PC's look pretty good. I like the 1005HA, seems to have excellent performance. I'll have to see if I can handle one in person this weekend before I made a decision. Thanks for the input, all!