Top Netbooks of 2013

Netbooks are lightweight laptops which come in a size range 9 to 12 inch, own excellent battery life, make use of faster solid-state drives and are affordable. Netbooks are perfect travel companions which are well suited for basic computing, web browsing, multimedia and documentation.

Our selection of the top netbooks is based on the best review sources across the web expressing the opinions of the topmost gadget experts. The rankings awarded to the netbooks are based on ReviewGist Score, a single quality score from 1 to 100, which will help you to find out the best.

Top Netbooks:

1. Apple MacBook Air 11 inch

This June, Apple took a step up with the launch of new 11-inch MacBook Air having the latest Intel processor and better storage capacity. Design-wise Apple MacBook Air is same as the previous one which includes aluminum body and display resolution of 1366×768 pixels. But, what makes this new MacBook Air different is the inclusion of 128GB/256GB SSD storage which is more than the 64GB SSD present in the base model of old MacBook Air.

The 11-inch Air and the 13-inch Air have same 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 and 4GB RAM but the former is available at $100 less. Low power consuming fourth generation Intel processor accounts for the astounding battery life of this small notebook. Besides, the new graphics processor is a plus when the laptop is being used for casual gaming.

Apple MacBook Air 11-inch includes an outstanding keyboard, superb apps and features which keeps it at the topmost position when you look for a notebook for everyday use. CNET conveys, the good news for 11-inch adopters is there’s no performance downgrade from the 13-inch: they’re now using the exact same CPU. LaptopMag affirms that MacBook Air’s performance, aided by Intel’s 4th-gen processor, tops that of other 11-inch ultraportables. PCMAG compares the 2013 MacBook Air 11-inch with 2012 Apple MacBook Air 11-inch and figures out that the recent one has got the same comfortable backlit keyboard with a shallow key travel, responsive multi-touch trackpad, webcam above the screen, and an all aluminum construction.

Leading the list of netbooks with excellent battery life, Apple MacBook Air 11 inch is recommendable for travel purpose. Its thin and lightweight design adds more to the portability and the price cut compared to the previous version keeps it affordable. The 11-inch MacBook Air wins the contest earning a ReviewGist Score of 99%.

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

 

Now when the market is witnessing the arrival of notebooks with new hardware, Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S somewhere lags at this point. However, this tablet/laptop hybrid with touchscreen provides great productivity working in tablet, stand and laptop mode. Its 11.6 inch IPS display which flips 360 degrees to depict lifelike graphics in all modes, intuitive touchpad and conveniently designed keyboard makes it a favorite of users who love the Lenovo brand.

Lenovo IdeaPad 11S is configured with different Intel processors including Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7, integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 and 4GB/8GB RAM. The Intel processors are from third generation in Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 when competitors include the new fourth generation Intel processor. The laptop is available in three storage variants 128GB, 256GB and 512GB SSD.

The keyboard in Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S allows comfortable typing, the stand mode is really good for sharing videos and presentations, and when in tablet mode it feels better than the 13-inch tablet/laptop hybrids. CNET had to say that Yoga 11S  impresses, partly by showing the maker’s understanding that many buyers of hybrids want a quality laptop first, and partly because 2013 has not seen any great new breakthroughs in hybrid design.  LaptopMag marks the difference, Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga 11S offers the ultra portability of the Yoga 11 but ditches the gimped Windows RT operating system for full-fledged Windows 8. PCMAG emphasizes, you can interact with the Yoga 11S in a plethora of manners, so if you’re looking to develop an innovative software package, interface, or use for the PC, this is the system to get.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S is one of those impressive hybrids which lets you have a great laptop experience keeping up with the usability of a tablet. This Lenovo laptop has a flexible design, a sturdy keyboard and an IPS touch-screen which can be a choice if you are looking to enjoy the best of both tablet and laptop. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S grabs a ReviewGist Score of 97%.

3. Sony Vaio Pro 11

Sony Vaio Pro 11 is a touchscreen notebook which stands out for its boot time, excellent battery life and the IPS display with gesture control. With Windows 8 running on it, Sony Vaio Pro 11 has carbon fibre body which is just 0.68 thick and weighs 1.92 lbs. This little Sony laptop is in demand for its impressive security and wireless features too.

The 11.6 inch laptop from Sony packs 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage and a fourth generation Core i5 processor. This new processor contributes to the longer battery life and delivers almost equivalent performance to that of a third generation Core i7 processor in its competitor. It has integrated Intel HD Graphics 4400 which is powerful enough for video editing and playing casual games.

This new laptop from Sony owns an IPS screen with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels providing wider viewing angles, bright images, crisp and clear texts for movies, photos and documents. Sony Vaio Pro 11 features a good keyboard for easy typing; comes with a USB port in its power supply but lags in the audio output. CNET concludes that the Sony Vaio Pro 11 is an excellent little laptop for frequent travelers or daily commuters. LaptopMag review mentions, this Windows 8 Ultrabook packs an 11.6-inch full HD touch screen, a 128GB SSD and Intel’s latest Haswell CPU, which promises more graphics oomph along with longer battery life. PCMAG stamps its verdict, if style and portability are a priority, Sony Vaio Pro 11 is a good bet.

Sony Vaio Pro 11 gives a tough competition to the Apple laptops and those hybrids, cramming some good features in it. This Sony laptop may prove to be a good pick if you are looking for thin and lightweight laptop which can run longer to accomplish your everyday tasks. Sony Vaio Pro 11 makes it to the list with a ReviewGist Score of 94%.

4. HP EliteBook Revolve 810

 

HP made an effort  to provide a business-oriented tablet/laptop hybrid by launching HP EliteBook Revolve 810. The laptop has a touchscreen with center hinge which is different from the hinge used in Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga laptops. Its weight is equivalent to that of the convertible Yoga 11S but the HP laptop is slightly thicker. EliteBook Revolve 810’s magnesium body makes it a durable and attractive notebook.

HP EliteBook Revolve 810 comes in various models with different versions of Windows operating system and third generation Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors. The laptop is configured with 4GB/8GB RAM; it comes in SSD storage variants of 128GB and 256GB. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 of the laptop is good for everyday computing but not for applications requiring high graphics performance.

HP EliteBook is recommendable for its backlit-keyboard, touch display covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 and rugged body. Analysing the features of this HP, CNET review remarks that the best things the EliteBook Revolve 810 has going for it are clean design and comfortable feel, plus system speed; You might love this laptop landing on your desk in a little business briefcase, but the battery life just won’t quite do it. LaptopMag praises, HP keeps the Revolve fresh, with an attractive, durable, and light design, an excellent keyboard and a fast SSD. PCMAG recommends, if your business use demands the convenience and portability of a tablet, but can’t afford to sacrifice durability and business features, the HP Elitebook Revolve 810 is a solid performer with rugged construction and a business-minded feature set.

Despite its unsatisfactory battery life, this convertible is praiseworthy for its portability, productivity and enterprise security features. HP EliteBook Revolve 810 is costlier than its contenders but if you are looking for a little business laptop which has a premium design, this HP laptop could be given a thought. This HP laptop takes the fourth position holding a ReviewGist Score of 88%.

Taking into consideration the recent and successful products in the market, ReviewGist gives you the most insightful buying recommendations.