Cheapest netbooks mini laptops under £200
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Netbooks are designed for simple tasks we do often - surfing the web, emails, online banking, word processing etc - not to replace desktop computers.
All netbooks listed come with full wi-fi capabilities, Windows 7 Starter, and at least 160GB memory. If you need memory than this, consider buying a portable external hard drive - these cost as little as £30 for 500GB. Compare prices using the MegaShopBot.
What do you get for this budget? The netbooks below are light and portable, and ideal for day-to-day tasks. However, if you want to play high-res games or watch HD catch-up TV, you may struggle on the small screen.
Important! Ensure you know how to shop safely before trying these deals
Tips for shopping safely
Whether it's a retailer or restaurateur, airline or air-conditioner seller, computer shop or car rental company, there are always two main risks: either it's a dodgy company, or it's a legit company that has financial problems and goes bust.
The aim of these tips is to help you minimise the risks.
What happens if a company goes bust?
Quite simply, its customers are immediately transformed into creditors.
This hits hardest if you've ordered goods or tickets from them, and not had delivery, as then you are simply one of a line of people trying to get your money back out of the company's assets, and you usually get back much less than you paid in.
Even if you've had delivery, if the company you bought from goes under and there's a problem with the goods, it can mean you've no comeback.
While MoneySavingExpert.com endeavours to check deals are valid, we don't check companies' finances - even huge names like MFI and Woolies have folded - so it's very important you use the right strategies to stay protected where possible...
DO: Pay by credit card for goods over £100
Pay by credit card for something over £100, eg, flights, kitchens, sofas, and Section 75 laws super-charge your consumer rights.
Unlike debit cards, cheques & cash, pay in full or part (even just £1) on a credit card and by law the lender's jointly liable with the retailer. This means you have exactly the same rights with the card company as you do with the retailer, so if it goes bust, you can simply take your complaints there instead and get money back if no delivery.
Yet it's important you ALWAYS REPAY IN FULL each month, so there's no interest cost. See the Section 75 guide for a full guide and Cashback Credit Cards for how to earn cash on top too.
DO: Protect purchases under £100
Section 75 doesn't apply to purchases under £100, but there's still an option which can help. It's not a legal protection, just Visa rules, but it's a good secondary back up.
Spend on a Visa credit or debit card and, if the goods don't appear within 120 days, you can ask your bank to reclaim the cash from the seller's bank. See the Visa Chargeback part of the Section 75 guide for full details.
DON'T: Use unfamiliar sites without checking
Bogus websites are often set up to cash in on popular products like Ugg boots and Tiffany necklaces, so be wary if it's an unfamiliar site. And don't think that because it appears on a reputable search engine, that makes it a reputable site - always check.
DO: Check the site's legit
Most folks know to look for a security padlock on a website's bottom right, but that doesn't mean the site's legit, just that payment's secure.
To find out who registered the site and when, search the Whois database. Reputable firms should also appear on the Companies House site, the UK Govt's official companies register. Be very wary of businesses with just a PO BOX or email address.
Study the site's worldwide web ranking on Alexa. Anything in the top 100,000 means it's reasonably big - a good, though not foolproof, indication of legitimacy. Do a quick Google search for other shoppers' experiences.
DON'T: Let your anti-virus run out
Crucially, ensure your security's up-to-date - free software can be downloaded to your computer in five mins. Full details in the Free Anti-Virus Software guide.
DO: Know your distance selling rights
Many people are surprised to learn you've MORE rights buying online (or telephone/catalogue) due to the Distance Selling Regulations.
This gives a legal right to send most goods back within a week for a full refund (including outward delivery costs), even if there's no fault. You'll usually need to pay for the return delivery. Read Consumer Rights for a full guide.
However, of course this is balanced by the fact that, order online, and that automatically means a time gap between ordering and delivering - when the company has your money. So if it goes bust in that time, the distance selling rights don't help.
DO: Understand sometimes there's no protection.
Ultimately, there is always a risk that a company can go bust. If the above routes don't apply, then you have to make a decision about whether you're willing to take the risk of parting with your cash.
Don't be overly scared of this: every day we all make transactions based on trust, and this is part of that, but do balance up the amount you're spending against the risk. Don't give large amounts of money to a company you're not sure of.
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Acer Aspire One D255E Netbook - £195 delivered
Best for battery life
If it's long-lasting power you're after, the Acer Aspire One is a good option. Its battery lasts for a whopping eight hours - more than double that of some of its rivals. It's £194.99 delivered from online retailer Expansys*, so it's still within budget.
The Aspire One is an inch thick and weighs 1.25kg, making it easy to use on-the-go. It comes with a built-in webcam and mic too, as well as three USB ports, letting you connect up any hardware, such as a printer or an external hard drive.
This netbook is the priciest of our four picks though, so before splashing your cash, consider all the options, and weigh-up whether you need to part with more money just for a bit more battery life.
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter
Screen: 10.1"
Hard Drive: 250GB
Processor: Intel Atom N455 1.66Ghz
Memory (RAM): 1GB
Battery: 8 hours max
Weight: 1.25kg
EMachines E350 Notebook - £200 delivered
Best budget netbook online
This EMachines E350 netbook's £199.99 from Best Buy UK*, and delivery's free.
Customers who bought the laptop have said the battery life isn't that hot and the sound not that loud - so it's not the best netbook for playing an extensive music collection. However it's portable, lightweight and the 160GB hard drive is easily upgradeable, making it good if you're after something cheap and cheerful.
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter
Screen: 10.1" (1024 x 600 windscreen)
Hard Drive: 160GB
Processor: Intel Atom N450 1.66Ghz
Memory (RAM): 1GB
Battery: 4 hours max
Weight: 1.25kg
Toshiba Mini Netbook - £175 in-store
Cheapest big brand
This Toshiba netbook from Asda* has up to four and a half hours of battery life. It has a built-in webcam and mic too, letting you chat to your friends online using the pre-installed Skype app. A built-in card reader allows you to insert memory cards.
At £175, you can pick up the Toshiba NB250 for free in-store, or pay £2.95 to get it delivered. Though certainly not bulky, the netbook is the heaviest of our four picks, so if you're after something ultra-lightweight, consider one of the other options.
Operating System: Windows 7 Starter
Screen: 10.1" (1024 x 600 windscreen)
Hard Drive: 250GB
Processor: Intel Atom N455 1.66Ghz
Memory (RAM): 1GB
Battery: 4.5 hours max
Weight: 1.8kg