keep up the good work.. we’ll be there!
Which popular 10″ netbook today has the best keyboard?
If you’re gonna buy a netbook what is the number one factor you consider in making your decision? Is it the looks? Or price perhaps? Some people forget that one of the most important thing to consider is they keyboard design.
They are blinded by the aesthetics but later realizing that it’s no fun using their netbook. Switching to and from your main computer’s keyboard to your netbook’s can be quite disorienting for the fingers.
Here’s a rundown on the popular netbooks and their keyboard layout which I think should be helpful for those planning to buy one. I’m only choosing popular 10-inchers from different manufacturers here and will not be considering those with slim design.
MSI Wind U120
The keyboard for the MSI Wind U120 is the same as the original Wind which is overall a good design. Key size is normal but the spacing is a bit cramped. Notice that the Page Up, Page Down, Home and End keys are included in the arrow keys.
It would be nice if the position of the Fn and Left Ctrl keys are switched.
Acer Aspire AOD150
The Acer AOD150’s keyboard layout is quite similar to the Wind but this time they got the Fn and Left Ctrl keys in their normal position. The Tab key is a bit small but they do have dedicated Page Up and Page Down keys and a normal-sized Right Shift key.
It only sports an 88% keyboard though which is below the average of 92% to 93% size of other 10” netbooks.
Lenovo IdeaPad S10
The Lenovo IdeaPad S10 sports a pretty compact keyboard which might be difficult to use for those with big fingers.
A friend comments that the placement of the Right Shift key often leads to accidentally hitting the Up Arrow key instead. It also has the same problem regarding the Fn key and Left Ctrl key like the MSI Wind.
Page Up and Page Down are located along the function keys which is typical with normal-sized laptops.
UPDATE: The Lenovo IdeaPad S10-2 did a major upgrade with its keyboard which is now way bigger and more spacious.
Dell Inspiron Mini 10
The keyboard on the Inspiron Mini 10 is a huge upgrade from their 9” version. They even included the missing function keys of the Mini 9.
The keys are big and feels like a normal keyboard already. Page Up and Page Down are located in the Up and Down arrow keys.
Asus Eee PC 1000HE
The Asus 1000HE sports a chicklet-style keyboard which is rarely seen on a laptop not made by Sony or Apple. The layout is also a huge improvement from the previous versions of their 10” netbooks.
The Right Shift is a bit small but is located on the correct side of the Up Arrow key. Page Up, Page Down, Home and End are included in the arrow keys like that of the MSI but notice that the Right Fn key allows you to use those with only one hand.
HP Mini 2140
The keyboard on the HP Mini 2140 is one of the best looking right now. The keys are big and nicely spaced that you won’t have problems adjusting. They keys also have the “HP Durakeys” finish that allows the letters printed to last a long time.
If there’s one thing to comment, it’s the right and left button of the touchpad which is oddly placed on both sides.
Samsung NC10
The Samsung NC10 has a 93%-full sized keyboard and provides nice feedback when typing. They keys are nice and big including a full-sized right Shift key similar to the Dell Mini 10 and HP Mini 2140 as well as dedicated Page Up and Page Down keys.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for the netbook which has the best keyboard, it will hands down have to be that of the HP Mini 2140. Closely following in terms of similarity would be the Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and Samsung NC10. Points should go however to the Asus 1000HE because of it’s unique chiclet-style keys.
Now that you know how the keyboards look like, you can then weigh your options based on its looks, battery life and your budget.
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Interesting to see your views, I have never had the chance to test the whole range at once but can certainly say that the NC10 proivdes a comfortable typing experience. And any netbooks smaller then 10″ are a real struggle for me!
This mini keyboard review appears to be right on. My local Staples store has been completely redesigned and provides the opportunity to try out the keyboards on a number of netbooks. My experience as a touch-typist confirms the samsung has the superior keyboard for typing activities. I would say that the HP isn’t too bad. I own an Asus Eee 901 9″ purchased early last smmer. It is a gem of a little carry everywhere netbook but I can’t easily type on it and end up pecking at one key at a time (right now). For those folks who can type, I highly recommend putting keyboard useability, right up there with battery life, as a critical determinant in selecting a netbook for purchase.
I did a lot of test typing while looking for a netbook. While I thought I’d like the flat or slightly curved kind of keys found on your winners, when it came to typing on them with fat fingers I found them impercise. I ended up buying the MSI wind because I could type easily and the price was great.
yeah, can’t complain about the price on those MSI Winds. it’s really popular to a lot of people.
Wow, this is *exactly* what I`ve been looking for! I need a netbook to write – I don`t care about ANYTHING except the keyboard.
You just made HP a sale – thanks!
I have spent some time reading articles about the best netbooks currently on the market, but all are 4-6 months old and none really draw any conclusions. I would like to get a netbook, rather than a laptop, due to price but more importantly something that is lightweight and portable. I need something suitable for use on the move, mainly for watching videos using VLC, so a good battery life and screen quality is needed and also word processing, using Microsoft Office. Also I would like something with a dual-core processor, if possible, and Windows 7.
Netbooks arent the best for video. No GPU just onboard graphics which arent that great.
battery life i heard is great on netbook.
Word processing is fine
No dual core models yet. Just 1.5Ghz atom’s with Hyper-threading.
Windows 7 Basic for these machines isnt the best option. i dont even know why they put on them in the first place. They arents powerful enough. Windows XP SP3 is a much better option.
If i was to get a netbook. Id run the following:
XP SP3 Home/Professional with all unnecessary services turned off aswell as any useless startup items
Microsoft Office 2003
Google Chrome
VLC player and/or XM player(for music only)
Microsoft Security Essentials(MSE) or Avast free Antivirus
Other Miscellaneous items such as Imgburn, Code pack, Universal extractor, Tune Up Utilities 2010.