Since everybody is raving about Netbooks this year, I am going to discuss the top 5 laptop picks. I personally own the Acer Aspire Netbook, and it rocks with Chrome. I carry it everywhere - airplane, car, etc. and it has over FIVE hours of battery life. Perfect for my plane ride back from CA to MA.
Be cautioned, however. They are going to be a HOT item this year - plan wisely and use my safety tips below to survive! I am going to outline the TOP 5 Laptop/Netbook Deals, and then list all of them.
TOP LAPTOP DEALS
1. Wal-mart - eMachines eME627 Laptop Computer - $198 (Doors open @ 5AM)

This is going to be the most sought after laptop this Black Friday. For $198… it’s as cheap, if not cheaper than the netbooks. It comes with an AMD processor, Windows 7 (the newest operating system), 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD Burner, and a 15.6″ LCD Screen. It’s a pretty pumped laptop with the latest operating system. My Dad personally has an eMachine desktop from a great sale back in the day at CompUSA and it’s still running strong - great reliability. Microcenter sells it for MSRP $379.99, on sale for $299.99. Thus, it’s a $101 savings.
- AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor TF-20
- 2GB DDR2-667 RAM
- 160GB 5,400RPM Hard Drive
- 8x SuperMulti Double Layer DVD±RW Drive
- 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
- ATI Radeon(tm) HD 3200
- 10/100 Network
- 802.11b/g Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®
- 15.6″ HD Widescreen XGA High-Brightness Display
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- Black
2. Wal-mart - HP G71-329wm Laptop Computer (PUMPED) for $398 - (Doors open @ 5AM)
Yes, Wal-mart has another great deal on a laptop. This laptop is PUMPED. From our research, it shows that it should be a Core2Duo Processor; however, it says Celeron on the ad. Must be a misprint. However, it’s one loaded system with 4GB RAM (lets you run lots of programs at once), a 320GB HD, DVD Burner, 17.3″ HD LED Display (Great for movies!!), and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit. It’s a great entertainment system that should be able to handle most things you throw at it. It weighs roughly 6.7 pounds, so take that into consideration if you travel a lot.
TOP BLACK FRIDAY NETBOOK DEALS
3. Office Depot - Acer Aspire One $199.99 (Doors open @ 6AM)

* Acer AOD250-1165
* 10.1″ Blue, 10″x7″, 2.2 lbs, 1024×600
* Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
* Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
* Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
* Integrated Crystal Eye Webcam and two built-in stereo speakers
* Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 cache)
* 1024MB DDR2 Memory
* 160GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
* 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Certified
* 10.1″ WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite LED Display
* Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3
* 3-cell Li-ion Battery (about 3-4 hours)
I personally have this laptop, but with a 6-cell battery. The 3 cell battery states 3-4 hours, but it roughly lasts for 2.5 hours. My 6-cell battery lasts for about 4-5 hours. When watching movies and using wifi, it lasts about 3 hours. If you’re wifi is off on a plane and you’re doing just documents, it can last up to 5-6 hours (amazing). This laptop is designed for internet browsing, light gaming (like very old school games - will NOT work with Left 4 Dead 2), and doing officework. An absolute must for a traveler! The keyboard is very small, so be cautioned.
Read reviews at Amazon - it sells for about $300 there.
4. Best Buy - Compaq Mini Netbook with Intel Atom Processor (Doors open @ 5AM)

* Intel Atom Processor
* 160GB Hard Drive
* 1GB of RAM
While Best Buy does not reveal many deals on this laptop, it should be very comparable to the one they have listed on their site with these specifications here. The laptop MSRP (manufacturing suggested retail price) is $349.99. Compaq is a great brand. Bought our first Compaq computer with a 486 processor ages ago.
5. Radio Shack - Acer 11.6″ Netbook with 2GB RAM and 250GB Hard Drive (Opens @ 5:30AM Friday)

This one is an upgrade of netbook 1 above. While it’s the same brand and it’s a bit more expensive, it’s definitely got more goodies like an 11.6″ LCD screen rather than the other 10.6″ ones. It comes with 2GB of RAM instead of 1GB (RAM makes a HUGE difference if you’re running multiple applications). In addition, it comes with Windows Vista Home Basic. To be honest, Vista stinks (in my opinion) compared to XP - it’s more user friendly, but it really slows things down. Fortunately, it has 2GB of RAM. You CANNOT run Vista without 2GB of RAM. It states “up to 4 hour battery life,” so I’m pretty sure it’s a 3-cell battery. Regularly $349.99, so you save $100.
WORST NETBOOK DEAL
KMart Delstar 7″ Wireless Netbook with Windows CE - $119.99 (Doors open @ 6AM)

This is one interesting netbook - it sucks. Just be honest here because Window CE, the operating system, is designed for mobile phones. Imagine buying a laptop and having to use a mobile phone interface. It’s horrendous. I would avoid this netbook at all costs - not even worth $100.
Best Buy
Compaq Netbook w/ Intel Atom (1GB Ram) 160GB Hard Drive $179.99
Compaq Netbook w/ Intel Atom (1GB Ram) 250GB Hard Drive $229.99
Dell 10.1″ Netbook w/ Intel Atom, 1GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive $379.99
HP 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Turion II Dual COre M500, 6GB RAM, 320 Hard Drive, Windows 7, $599.99
HP 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Turion II Dual COre M500, 6GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, Windows 7, $699.99
Macbook 13.3″ Notebook w/ Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26GHz), 2GB DDR3, 250GB HD w/ Free 150 Dollar Gift Card $999.99
Sony 15.5″ Laptop w/ Pentium Dual Core, Windows 7 Home Premium, 4GB RAM,320GB HD $399.99
Sony 15.5″ Laptop w/ Dual Core, Windows 7 Home Premium, 4GB RAM,320GB HD Blu-ray, Sony Headphones, Blu-ray Movie $479.97
Toshiba (L505-S5984) 16″ Laptop w/ Intel Core 2 Duo, 3GB DDR3, 250GB $399.99
Toshiba (L505-S5984) 16″ Laptop w/ Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3, 320GB $499.97
hhgregg
Asus Netbook w/Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB RAM, 160GB HD - $199.97
HP
HP G71t 17.3″ Laptop w/ 6-Cell Battery, Starting at $499.99
HP Pavilion dm3z 13.3″, 6-Cell Battery, 4.21 lbs, Starting at $529.99
HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Core i7, 15.6″ LED , Starting at $999.99
Kmart
Delstar 7′ Wireless Netbook 05 w/ Windows CE $119.99
MacMall
Apple 13.3″ MacBook Air 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 120GB Hard Drive - $1149.99
Apple 13.3″ MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive - $934.99
Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB - $1099.99
Meijer
HP (mini 1020) 10.1″ Netbook w/ 160GB HD, Windows XP (Wifi, webcam, 3 cell battery) and free Belkin Neoprene Sleeve & Microsoft Wireless 3000 Mouse $299.99
Office Depot
Acer 10.1″ Netbook w/ Intel atom (1.6GHz) N270 Processor $199.99
Acer Aspire 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Athlon X2 L310, 4 GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive $379.99
HP (G60-508US) Notebook w/ Intel Celeron 900 Processor $299.99
HP (G71-343US) w/ Intel Core2 Duo T6600 Processor $449.99
Toshiba 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Turion II M500, 3GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive $469.99
Toshiba 17″ Notebook w/ AMD Turion II M500, 3GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive $499.99
Acer Aspire ONE (D250-1151) Netbook w/ Atom N270 (1.6GHz), 1GB RAM, 160GB HD WSVGA, $299.99
HP Pavilion (DM3-1030us) Laptop w/ AMD Athlon Neo X2 L335 (1.6GHz) After Rebate $599.99
OfficeMax
Acer Aspire One 10.” Netbook w/ 1GB RAM,160GB HD, Windows XP $149.99
Toshiba (L505-S5998) Notebook w/ T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD $399.99
Radio Shack
Acer 11.6″ Netbook w/ Intel Atom Z520, 2GB RAM, 250 HD $249.99
Acer 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Athlon 64 X2 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320 HD $399.99
Sam’s Club
Acer Aspire One 10.1″ Netbook w/ 1.6GHz Processor $197.00
HP G71 17″ Notebook $499.00
WalMart
Acer 17.3″Blue Laptop 4GB AM, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 Premium (Online Only) $498.00
* eMachines (EME627) 15.6″ Notebook w/ AMD Processor, 2GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive* $198.00
HP 15.6″ (G60-519WM) Notebook w/ Intel Processor, 3GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive $298.00
* HP 17″ (G71-329WM) Notebook, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive, Numeric Keypad* $398.00
Staples
Dell Studio 15.6″ Laptop w/ Intel Core 2 Duo T6600, 4GB RAM, 500GB HD $599.98
HP 15.6″ Laptop w/ Intel Cerleron 900 Processor, 3GB RAM, 160GB HD, Windows 7 $299.98
HP 15.6″ Laptop w/ Intel Pentium T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 250GB HD, Windows 7 $399.98
HP 17.3″ Laptop w/ Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD $599.98
Sony 15.5″ Laptop w/ Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD $649.98