• Window XP – Higher cost and more susceptible to virus’s, but also more like what they’ll use when they get older.
• Linux – A Linux laptop is cheaper, simple, and has almost no chance of getting a virus, but most likely not the operating system they’ll use when they get older.

Overall netbooks are a great choice for a child’s first laptop.  Like any piece of electronics they do require a certain level of maturity to have and the exact age your child will be ready for one depends on several factors that are outside the scope of this article.  I would suggest one of the Asus netbooks for your child’s first laptop.  You can purchase them from many online retailers and even your local Target.  Otherwise a few companies like Dell offer the mini notebook in a variety of colors which the kids will love.

New Laptops for Sale Under $200

Cheap laptops under 200 were originally sold by Asus. The company started out by making the Eee PC netbook computer, a mini laptop that uses the Intel Atom processor. This reduced the cost of producing the laptop and thus reduced the sale price. Other companies later followed in Asus’ footsteps and created similar laptop models using the same Intel processor. While these laptops do not always sell for $200 or less, they can be bought at this price when on sale or if one is able to find a special deal or a coupon.

Those who are looking fore cheap mini laptops under 200 will probably be interested in the ones that run the Android operating system. These mini laptops can be purchased for as little as $80 in some cases. These computers can perform a wide range of functions, including running Skype, MSN messenger, Hulu.com and Abode Flash. Google Chromebook is yet another one of the many cheap laptops for sale under 200. As the name implies, this particular laptop model uses the Google Chrome operating system.

A person who is looking for cheap laptops under 200 that use Windows should purchase a model such as the Augen E-Go. It presently costs a bit over $80 at online retail site Geeks.com. It uses the Windows CE operating system that is generally reserved for running mobile devices. However, this system can also run applications such as Internet Explorer and Outlook.

Refurbished Laptops under $200

Refurbished laptops can often be a very good buy. Such laptops are not brand new; they are laptops that have been returned to the retailer for any one of a number of reasons. Such laptops are then returned to the manufacturer, who will then repair them and resell them at a discounted price. While such laptops may have small scratches or a shorter than normal battery life, these issues are relatively minor.

Many cheap laptops for sale under 200 are in fact refurbished. Retailers such as Overstock.com offer a guarantee on refurbished laptops. However, the guarantee varies from retailer to retailer, so it is a good idea to check out this information at the retailer where the cheap laptop is being purchased from.

Some manufacturers, such as Dell, also sell refurbished laptops for under 200. Such laptops have not necessarily seen much or even any customer use and it is often possible to get a high end laptop of this nature that would have cost perhaps several times as much if it were being sold brand new. In fact, many refurbished laptops under 200 dollars only contained small defects that the manufacturer corrected quickly and easily.

Used Laptops for Sale Under $200

Used laptops under 200 are not at all hard to find. A person who is interested in buying a used laptop can find these for sale at Amazon.com, Craigslist, eBay and other similar websites. However, when buying a used laptop, remember that it does not come under warranty. Make sure that the laptop is in good working order before investing in it.

In some instances, certain components can be easily replaced. For instance, a bad battery may deter one from wanting to buy a used laptop, but this should not necessarily be the case. It is not at all hard to find good laptop batteries for sale at a very good price. These can be bought either at a computer store or over the internet. Putting a new battery in a laptop takes only a few minutes and is very simple to do.

Where to Find Cheap Laptops for Sale Under $200

Manufacturers, online retail sites and various brick and mortar retailers all offer laptops for sale at $200 or even less. One particular retailer that has a wide selection of such laptops is eBay. This particular site has many new, refurbished and used laptops for sale at $200 or less. Some other online retailers that one may want to check out include:

• Amazon
• Pctechoutlet
• Geeks.com
• Target’s online retail site
• Asus’ online retail site
• Overstock
• Best Buy’s online retail site

Just a few years ago, no one would have imagined that it would be possible to find laptops for sale at $200 or even less. However, various manufacturers have started creating and selling cheap laptops that can in fact be bought for only one or two hundred dollars. These laptops can perform all the functions that the average person would need to use. The best time to buy cheap laptops under 200 is over the holiday season. Black Friday and the Christmas season can provide a person with numerous discount opportunities that are not available at other times of the year. This enables a person to purchase a cheap laptop that is either brand new, used or refurbished. As long as the laptop functions properly, is in good working order and can perform the tasks that a person needs to accomplish, it is a good buy.

Mini laptops are most notable for simply browsing the internet and creating documents on the go with most other abilities being forfeited to minimize size and weight maximize portability. The Asus Eee PC 4G priced at only $399 was one of the first devices to lead this category. Some complaints about the earlier models of MIDs are their low storage capacities (the above-mentioned Asus only has a 4GB hard drive) and that the keyboards are sometimes so small that it can be difficult for adults or for anyone with larger hands to type on. Some of the more recent models, such as the Micro-Star MSI Wind, have modified and magnified these elements (the Wind sports a 10 inch screen and an impressive 80GB hard drive) without sacrificing much as to the small size of the device as a whole.

Many of the best mini laptops are equipped with a larger, more vivid screens and a multifunction touchpads, which will allow the user to scroll, and click like a regular laptop as well as zoom in and out on a particular point with the use of finger combinations. The ultra thin, but a little on the larger scale, Apple MacBook Air makes good use of these functions. The HP 2133, intended for students and minor business use, is encased in a protective rugged metal, which is a much needed improvement from the toy-like plastic of other devices. This particular model also has an acclaimed keyboard that is large enough for the typical user and an 8.9-inch screen, but depending on specifications, it can cost from $500 up to $750, which places it into the realm of full-featured laptop PCs.

Pretty simple and limited in their abilities, mini laptops are not for everyone. If your browsing and computing needs are modest, cheap mini laptops may be just what you are looking for. There are very affordable models starting at a mere $400 and they fit perfectly right into your luggage, briefcase, or even a purse, without adding the weight or bulk of a laptop.

Still, a small notebook computer is the low-cost, ultraportable alternative when you need a reliable computer on the go. If you do not need a mini-notebook, you can probably find a laptop that with better graphics and a larger keyboard, but of course you will pay a bit more for it. However, you may just find that you can live with less than perfect graphics and smaller keyboard and a small notebook has just what you need in a portable PC.

There are many choices when it comes to such laptops. Brands such as ASUS and Lenovo have been the leaders in the field for years. Apple also has several smaller Macbooks in its lineup, but these tend to be pricey, especially in comparison to PCs. You can also look at ultra-mobile PCs, or UMPCs, that do not have a traditional QWERTY keyboard but rather virtual dial keys or onscreen keyboard that uses a stylus to input data.

Perhaps the best small notebook for those just discovering the mini-notebook is the ASUS Eee PC. With a price tag of less than $600, it is an excellent primer for one not yet used to the small, cramped keyboard accompanying the seven to 8.9-inch size screen. The ASUS mini-notebooks usually have between 512 M and 1 GB of RAM. Depending on your preference, it runs on either a Linux or Windows operating system. Furthermore, they have Internet capabilities if you really need them.

The ASUS Eee PC is much different from ultraportable laptops such as those from Lenovo and Apple as well as the UMPCs. Many may be disparaged by the low-end graphics, but the trade-off that the convenience and reliability including battery saving, ultra-low-voltage processors offers make it well worth the investment. However, your small notebook, mini-notebook or ultra-mobile PC should only be a secondary computer system if you use your laptop for important tasks such as work or school.

Also known as netbooks, mini notebook computers offer the distinct advantages of enhanced portability, easy storage, more output options for content, and seamless multi-discipline access to other computers. Moreover, these mini marvels of modern technology perform virtually all the same functions of conventional laptops.

Students transport them to and from class with less bother than many typical college tomes. Busy professionals on the go use them to access email, take notes, or run internet search queries while conducting business. On the home front, kids love using netbooks to play games and research homework assignments online. Parents and grandparents will benefit greatly from its relatively lighter weight and simpler operation.

Where to Begin?

If you want objective, accurate guidance to help you identify the best mini notebook computers, your best sources are reputable consumer review sites. Having scoured cyberspace, we proudly present our final verdict of the best mini notebook on the market today.

Dell Offers The Best Deal

Soundly lauded throughout repeated reviews as one of the best mini notebook computers around, Dell’s Mini 1018 Inspiron iM1018-26280BK is a true gem. Aside from the perfect portability typical for its class of computers, this model features a unique keyboard style. Its size and key calibration combine to make it the perfect fit for any fingers. None of the discomfort of other netbooks is in sight here.

Although only a tad over ten inches wide, the screen features remarkable resolution. At 1366 x 768, you get to feast your eyes on the prettiest pictures you ever wanted to see – each time you look at it! Among the most alert and responsive around, its touchpad is truly terrific. Navigating is never a “drag” with this one, as your fingers glide back and forth with effortless ease.

Aside from conquering the huge hardware hurdles presented by competitors, the Dell Mini 1018’s inner workings are also superbly superior. Its processor supports an advanced memory module known as DDR3, which works at twice the speed of comparable computers. Running simultaneous multiple applications is a snap! Its opulent operating system (Windows 7) assures a satisfying user experience. Its miniscule price tag of $275 USD is a pittance for this magnificent powerhouse.

In short, this dynamic little device, which Dell created and designed, is clearly the best mini notebook for the bucks. Try one on for size today!

1. Cost – It’s at the top of everyones list when they look to purchase anything, not just a laptop. While price is often related to quality, some companies do offer superior products at a low cost, it’s just about putting in the time to find them. There average cost is around $250-$400 dollars.
2. OS – The operating system is almost as important as the hardware or brand that you choose. I won’t make you research or struggle through for this one. Get Windows XP. Windows Vista and Windows 7 look awesome, but require much better hardware to run efficiently. Windows XP does a great job and running quickly and without problem on these mini notebooks.
3. Processor – You don’t have a lot of choices when it comes to the processor on the mini notebook. You’ve got the tried and true Atom processor. Lately however the companies have been working on a new Atom processor called the Ion. If you can find a model with the new Ion processor it’s definitely worth spending a bit more to get it.
4. RAM – It’s best to get as much RAM as possible, especially with the decent decline in cost of RAM. Unfortunately most mini notebooks only allow for a maximum of 2GB’s of RAM so if you purchase a model with less, make sure you purchase some extra RAM and install it.
5. Hard Drive – You’ve got two choices for hard drives. A solid state drive or a standard laptop hard drive. You’re really looking at size versus durability. Pick the SSD if you want durability and pick the standard laptop hard drive if you need size.
6. Battery – All mini notebooks have a decent battery life, but some models, specifically the Asus 1005HA offer amazing battery life. Over 10 hours in fact. That lets you go almost an entire day before you need to search for a wall outlet to keep your laptop running.
7. Screen - You’ve got two big choices just like with the hard drive and it’s a pretty clear cut case. You’ve got a 9 and 10 inch screen to choose from. Go with the 10 inch screen. After owning both models it’s an easy choice, pick the 10 inch model.  It also might be worth looking into a touch tablet style screen.  Some of the newer Asus models have them and I was really impressed after using one.
8. Keyboard – The keyboard is directly attached to the screen size. The larger screen allows for a larger keyboard and the 10 inch keyboard is much better to type on than the 9 inch. The 10 inch screen and 10 inch keyboard go hand in hand in being to best choice for the ideal mini notebook.
9. Weight – Weight isn’t really a concern when choosing what mini notebook you want, mainly because they are all so small that they all fall into the light category. None of them exceed anywhere near 3 pounds.
10. Wireless – I don’t think you could find a mini notebook computer without wireless such as wifi, but I suppose they do exist. Instead look for the latest 802.11n models which offer a much faster and updated wireless experience compared to the now standard 802.11g which is what comes standard on most notebooks.

There you have it, ten tips to help you find the perfect mini notebook. If you find something that fits these requirements you’ll definitely be happy with your final purchase. Just remember to take your time and find the perfect model for you.

• Very Portable – Their small size makes mini notebooks very easy to carry around with you.
• Cost Effective – They are very cheap to purchase and the cost has been dropping even more with increased competition.
• Great Battery Life – Mini laptops have great battery life, my Asus mini notebook battery lasts over 5 hours.

Mini Notebook Cons

• No CD-ROM – I wrote a post talking about some solutions to this problem: Mini Notebooks Don’t Have CD-ROM’s.
• Small Keyboard – The keyboards are very small which makes typing semi long documents a pain.
• Multi-tasking – The processors in mini laptops aren’t as nice as what you’d find in a normal laptop so if you end up with to many windows open you’ll see an overall lag to the computer.
• Video Playback – Most videos playback just fine on my mini notebook, but it struggles a bit to play back full HD video.

This is just a few of the mini notebook pros and cons.  I personally think all of the cons can easily be overcome and the pros heavily outweigh any negatives.  After personally owning several different mini laptop computers I can say they’ve all been amazing and after having one I can’t imagine living life without one.

I’m also excited to finally post a mini notebook buyers guide that will help give a quick run down on the features that are important and also the places to get the best prices on them. This will be a page that I update quite a bit when I find a better deal on a particular mini laptop. I’m really hoping to get some of the users involved and have them post where they got their mini laptop and what where people are currently finding the best deals.

That’s all for now, keep an eye out for these updates just before Thanksgiving, just in time for the black Friday sales!

• Heat – Moving parts create more heat that ones that don’t.  The typical hard drive has little platters inside that spin as data is written to the drive where as the SSD drive just writes the data in a similar way to a USB flash drive.  Needles to say the SSD provides very little heat compared to the typical drive.

• Size – When the mini notebooks first came out the SSD drives came in 2GB and 4GB sizes which were very small, but after a few months it became more common to see anywhere from 16GB – 32GB in size.  32GB is a great size for a small netbook, but if you decide to go with the typical hard drive you’ll jump all the way to a 160GB drive.  Make sure you take this into account when you are picking out your mini notebook.  If you plan on storing music or a lot of photos on your netbook then the typical hard drive might be a better choice.

• Power – This one is highly debated and I wouldn’t make your decision on which style drive you get based on the power consumption of each.  I’m calling this one a wash.  There have been tests that prove each is better.  I have bad both and didn’t’ notice any difference in the battery life.

• Cost – Another factor that comes up is cost when picking their hard drive style.  Again this one shouldn’t be a determining factor.  I haven’t seen any large differences in the cost between the SSD and standard hard drive.

The biggest factor here is how much disk space you need.  I personally went with the 160GB standard drive and after having it for 3 months I really was wishing I would of got the SSD drive instead.  I wasn’t using anywhere near the space and the heat actually bothered me quite a bit.   Check out any of your local Target, Best Buy or any other local electronics store and you should be able to feel the heat difference after using the mini notebook for a bit.

• Buy an external CD-ROM – An external CD-ROM drive is the exact same drive you would have in a desktop computer or regular laptop, but it’s put inside an external enclosure and connects to your mini computer with a USB cable.  They range in price from $30.00 – $60.00 depending on if you want it to play DVD’s, burn CD’s, etc.  It’s a small investment when you consider the convenience of having one, but along with that convenience comes the annoyance of having to carry around one more thing in your bag.  Remember we are going for portability here.  So what is your other option?

• USB Flash Drive – Now I know you are thinking; how is a flash drive going to play CD’s?  Well it’s obviously not going to, but it’s going to be an amazing substitute.  90% of the software you are going to install on your mini notebook will be downloaded from the internet.  Even Microsoft Office comes preinstalled; you just need to purchase the key.  The few times you need to install something from a CD what you can do is put the CD is any computer and plug in your flash drive, then copy the CD over quick.  Flash drives are very cheap and it can double as a backup drive.  I know it sounds like a lot of extra work, but it’s worth it to maintain the portability and save a few bucks.  In my case specifically I’m always around another computer the few times I’ve purchased something that has a CD to install so there is another computer that is very accessible.

You do always have the option of buying the external CD ROM drive and just leaving it at home because that’s when you’ll most likely need it.  That’s all there is to it!  Not having a CD ROM really isn’t that big of a problem.  It’s just something you need to be aware of so it doesn’t catch you off guard when you buy your first mini notebook.