Netbook manufacturers are finding it hard to offer netbooks with the kind of top-of-the-line components and features you see in its laptop brethren, especially when they're constrained by price. The MSI Wind U160-007US ($380 street) distinguishes itself with a big battery that delivered almost 9 hours of battery life. But other than that, this netbook doesn't stand out from the rest.

Design
Nothing makes a netbook more generic than a plain design. The U160 comes in either glossy brown or black and lacks any sort of decorative touches that have made netbooks like the Samsung N210 ($380.00 Street, ) and Asus EeePC 1001P ($300 street, ) easy on the eyes. The matte finishes, like those found in the Editors' Choice Toshiba mini NB305-N410 ($400 direct, ) and Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3 ($370.00 Direct, ), mean that it doesn't attract smudges and fingerprints. Even more appealing, the fancy aluminum metals found in the HP Mini 5102 ($400 Direct, ) and the Nokia Booklet 3G ($600 Street, ) are the finest materials used in netbook designs. At 2.7 pounds, the U160 is only a shade lighter than the Toshiba NB305 (2.9 lbs) and HP 5102 (2.9 lbs)—making it a pleasure to tote around.