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On a recent trip, my romance with my MacBook Pro hit the skids. When I'm forced to check my rolling carry-on and must carry him, his 5 1/2 pounds drag me down. So my eyes are roving toward a lightweight travel companion.

Most ultraportables and netbooks weigh less than 3 pounds. At $1,800 or more, an ultraportable (which has a full-size keyboard, larger screen and faster processor) would leave a crater in my wallet, but a netbook -- typically less than $500 -- may make only a dent.

Netbooks are secondary systems -- best for e-mail, Internet, word processing and light photographic needs. They usually don't have an optical drive, and their screens are as small as 8 inches and their keyboards are as much as 82% smaller than a standard one. Their Intel Atom processors are slower too.

I sought recommendations from editors Joanna Stern and Mark Spoonauer of Laptopmag.com, Brad Linder of Liliputing.com, and Phil Baker, inventor of a popular PDA folding keyboard and author of "From Concept to Consumer."

Representatives from Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung and Sony also weighed in.

Unless noted, featured netbooks include Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, a memory card slot, external VGA output connector, integrated graphics, two to three USB ports, built-in camera, headphone and microphone jacks and one-year warranty.

ACER Aspire 10.1"
$349 | 2.95 pounds

Pros

Budget price; six-cell battery

Cons

Smaller keyboard and touch pad; no Bluetooth

Comment

Stern: "In the netbook arena, bang for your buck is the name of the game."

ASUS Eee PC 1000HE
$399 | 3.2 pounds

Pros

Faster Atom N280 processor; great keyboard; extended battery life; upgradable RAM; optional external TV tuner; free online storage at www.eeestorage.com; Great U.S. tech support

Cons

Slightly bulkier; glossy case attracts fingerprints

Comment

Linder: "This netbook's real claim to fame is an extended battery that runs seven to eight hours on a single charge."

Spoonauer: "I'd argue that this . . . offers best bang for your buck right now."

Dell Inspiron Mini 10"
$399 | 2.6 pounds

Pros

Thin light case (six color choices); spacious keyboard, spill-resistant keyboard; six-cell battery option (+$30). Optional upgrades include high-resolution display, Bluetooth, built-in mobile broadband, integrated GPS and TV tuner capability

Cons

No VGA port

Comment

Stern: "The system is one of the thinnest and lightest in its class, and the company has nearly caught up to the competition with its roomy keyboard."

HP Mini 2140
$479 | 3 pounds*

Pros

Great water-resistant, spacious keyboard; sturdy magnesium alloy case; touch pad with scrolling; long-lasting six-cell battery with HP Fast Charge technology (lasts eight hours); optional high-definition display (+$25)

Cons

Vertical rather than horizontal mouse buttons

Comment

Stern, Spoonauer, Linder and Baker all like the 2140 for travel.

Stern: "When it comes to netbooks for road warriors, endurance and durability top the list. The HP Mini 2140 . . . [has] both in an attractive shell."

Lenovo IdeaPad S10
$399 | 2.82 pounds*

Pros

Responsive keyboard; quick-start Linux OS for light tasks such as Skype calls; good backup software; one button restore feature; stylish compact chassis

Cons

Smaller keyboard and touch pad; relocated right shift key

Comment

Baker: "The S10 offers a good balance of features plus Lenovo ranks at the top for service and support among all the netbook brands."

MSI Wind U123
$379 | 3.2 pounds**

Pros

Faster Atom N280 processor; comfortable keyboard; upgradable RAM; 1.3 MP webcam; optional TV tuner, Bluetooth and nine-cell battery that lasts nine hours

Cons

Small touch pad; stiff mouse buttons; nine-cell battery adds weight

Comment

Stern: "For just $379, the MSI Wind U123 offers good performance for a netbook and more than eight hours of endurance."

Samsung NC10
$415-$429 | 2.8 pounds

Pros

Great roomy keyboard; touch pad with scrolling; thin and light; six-cell high capacity battery (lasts six-plus hours); Superior 1.3 MP webcam; useful Samsung utility software for system recovery, data backup, performance boosting, etc.

Cons

Small, narrow touch pad

Comment

Laptop magazine considers the NC10 the most well-rounded netbook on the market.

Samsung N110
$469 | 2.8 pounds

Pros

Same assets as NC10 plus battery lasts seven-plus hours; glossy screen; larger track pad and rounded palm rest; multi-tasks well (Web surf during a Skype video call.)

Cons

Pretty case, but it attracts fingerprints; single touchbar instead of two buttons for touchpad

Comment

Stern: "Samsung has hit the mark on creating a solid chassis with a stellar keyboard. The N110 outruns all other netbooks on the market to date with over seven hours of battery life."

SONY VAIO P series
$899+ | 1.4 pounds

Pros

Super-light and stylish; comfy keyboard; LED backlit 8-inch screen; Thinkpad-like pointing stick; Instant On function for quick access to photos, music, etc., outside of Vista; built-in GPS and mobile broadband

Cons

Windows Vista slows it down; no touchpad; three-cell battery lasts only four hours; slow GPS

Comment

Spoonauer: "As a design statement, the VAIO P is a breakthrough, and Sony crams an amazing amount of technology into a 1.4- pound chassis. We just wish it had more pep."

*with six-cell battery

**with nine-cell battery

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