Top Holiday Picks: Netbooks and Touch Notebooks

Netbooks are hot this year, as are touch-enabled notebooks. If you have a gadget-lover on your list and don’t know what to get them, an offering from one of these categories is a safe bet. Wading through the dozens of available netbooks could take all day, and even though touch notebooks are just gaining ground again, you don’t want to waste time with the ones that don’t work well. Browse our handy lists and find the perfect notebook to stuff in a stocking.

Netbooks — There are so many great systems in this category, it’s hard to choose my favorite. The HP Mini 11 stands out because it can handle light gaming, a feat the majority of netbooks can’t begin to match, and comes in under $400. The Sony VAIO X is unbelievably light and really cool looking, plus it lasts almost 10 hours on a charge. However, the $1,300 price tag would give Scrooge a heart attack. The Toshiba NB205 has a great keyboard, a battery that lasts nearly 9 hours, and a stylish look for under $450.

Touch Notebooks — Great slate tablets have always been just over the horizon. Perpetually “Coming Soon”, teasing us with their promise. The Archos 9 seeks to deliver on that with a pure touch, Windows 7-driven tablet that weighs only 1.7 pounds.

We’ve got more great notebook gift ideas in this year’s Gadget Gift Guide.