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| Performance |
Intel Atom standard processor, with newer more powerful models recently being issued, just pick your speed. Performance can be very difficult to compare, as the technology is more or less the same for netbooks across the board. Screen quality is Superior in 1080p HD, but can also glare quite a bit. |
Screen glare is not a problem here. In fact, Dell offers a larger variety of screens, up to 12”! But, if you’re going to get a 12” screen, you have a netbook growing closer and closer in size to a small laptop if the chassis isn’t carefully designed, and if that’s the case, you might as well go for the regular Inspiron models instead of the Inspiron mini’s, as Dell models tend to be on the heavier side. |
| Reliability |
Unfortunately, overheating has been a problem with HP laptops, and this problem seems to have followed the netbook designs. Make sure your netbook is ventilated for long use; you may consider setting it down on a small raised platform to allow proper cooling. Alternatively, the LapWorks Netbook Desk can solve this problem. |
Dell tends to be one of the better designers for netbooks. This is not referring to stylishness (though they do have some nice-looking models), it refers to air-flow design. Cycling out heat is one of the most important functions of any computer, and Dell seems to spend more thought on this design feature, and both their laptops and netbooks are less likely to overheat. |
| Accessibility |
HP offers a larger keypad, though still small, of course, but a very important feature if you’re used to typing fast without 1 finger glued to the backspace key. |
Though nicely designed, the keypads are comparatively smaller, and can cause more frustration over time, especially if you intend to do any type of word-processing. The good news is that Dell has a great Keyboard accessory to help with this problem. |
| Service |
HP wins here. On many of their models, the warranty will allow you to mail the netbook directly back to HP for replacement of parts or system software problems. The downside of this is that you run the possibility of losing important documents and other files. An easy fix for this is to make sure any files you can’t live without are stored safely on an external hard drive, but of course you’ve already done that anyways, right? |
This can be summed up in one word: Outsourcing. Dell is infamous for outsourcing integral service jobs to Asian countries, most recently focused in India. If you’re already frustrated enough to call customer service, having to ask the heavily accented service person to repeat him/herself is just going to fuel the fire. You can work around this problem by buying your netbook at Best Buy, buy the GeekSquad warranty. |
| Overall Value for Price |
If you’re comparing value between HP and Dell, make sure you are doing a fair comparison by adding features & software to the Dell to match the HP (Dell is usually a bit more streamlined). HP netbooks actually tend to cost a little less than comparable Dell models, all features and software being the same. Thankfully, with HP, as long as you don’t mind the possibility of mailing your netbook to them for technical support, you won’t have to pay for an additional 3rd party warranty. |
Dell computers have a pretty good reputation for longevity (you know it’s considered durable when you see the state workers at the DMV using Dell). Remember, though, that you will probably want to consider the price you’ll pay for a 3rd party warranty like GeekSquad, and this makes it look a little less thrifty. Definitely don’t rule Dell out here, as time has shown they hold a durable standing in the PC market. Dell spends more on advertising than almost any other manufacturer, however, so remember that this is where some of that extra money is going. |
| Final Word: |
More accessible keyboards, good customer service, higher quality screens, though the glare has been reported to be somewhat of a nuisance, especially when used in brightly lit offices. As long as you don’t mind keeping an eye out for overheating, HP is a pretty safe bet. |
If you’re looking for a netbook to easily last 5 years (and who knows how severely outdated current models of netbooks will be in 5 years since they are still relatively new), Dell users tend to note the durability of their computers. However, if you do have a problem, don’t expect an easy troubleshooting resolution unless you’ve paid elsewhere for it. |