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.

• 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.

• 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.