I have been playing around with 2 cool netbooks – a new category of notebooks that promises to be lighter, and also cheaper. Based on the feedback, it looks like this has not only revolutionize the way we play, but also have attracted a whole new batch of enthusiastic users, thereby increasing the market significantly, and broadening ownership.

The first is the second version of the Asus EEE PC , which was one of the first bestsellers that launched it all. The Asus Eee PC 900 is a new version that still promises to be less than one kilogram, and of the same size as before, but is slightly more expensive, but have more features.

First is that it has upgraded the specs as well. Instead of the 512 mb, it is now 1 gigabyte memory. It now has a bigger 8.9 inch widescreen ( it was 7.9 inch before), and a higher resolution 1.3 megapixels webcam. Because of the bigger screen, the resolution now can also be 1024×600 ( from the previous 800×400). Most welcome is the bigger storage – the Linux xandros version has a 20 gigabyte solid state hard disk, and the Windows XP version has a 12 gigabyte hard disk , and both versions sells at the same price.

I was able to get the Linux version which still has the same interface and mostly the same software as the previous earlier Asus Eee PC, but I preferred to run windows– because I had some applications that I wanted to run, and moreover, I really wanted to install HSDPA software so that I can surf anywhere, and I still could not make heads or tails on how to install it and some other programs in the Linux version. The Windows Version has a smaller hard disk, so one way to get it is to buy the Linux version, and install Windows XP yourself. Which is what I did, and doing it was easy and straightforward.

The second one is the HP 2133 Mini-Note. While Eee PC is always thought to be lightweight, and also great in value, it is a utility notebook. If you want something cool and slick, that’s the Mini-note, which has an all aluminum case that is both shiny, and surprisingly light. It has the same screen size as the Asus EEE PC 900 ( 8.9 inch), but it has a higher resolution 1280×768.

The weight is approximately about 1.2 kilograms, and for its slightly larger size, it has almost a full size QWERTY Keyboard. It is powered by a Via C7-M processor. There are 3 models that I know of ( the cheapest runs SuSe Linux, and is cheaper). The next 2 models run Windows Vista and is more expensive not only because of the OS, but the more expensive models also have a faster processor, bigger memory, and also a bigger hard disk.

I like the HP because it obviously does not look cheap, and the full size keyboard is really for heavy typists. The higher resolution screen is also a lot better. One thing new that I just recently saw in Notebook computers is a ExpressCard /54 slot.

It’s a great notebook at a low price and yet nothing on the computer looks or feels cheap. The only thing I am not so sure about is the use of the Via Processor, which is new. However, from the reviews I read, it is 100% compatible, and will run all applications, and moreover, benchmark shows that the speed is acceptable, though not blazingly fast, and comparable to most processors at that clockspeed.

For now, both are great selections, but I am sure in a few months time, something better will again be shouting for my attention!