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.