Checklist

If you’re thinking about buying a mini laptop, here’s what to consider.

Small laptop or netbook?

We’ve included both netbooks and small laptops in our test. Netbooks are generally cheap, small and highly portable. But they have relatively low specifications compared with laptops.

If you're looking for portability, and price isn't the determining factor, small but higher-spec laptops are worth considering too. The MacBook Air we tested is thinner and lighter than some netbooks and offers a different user experience.

Features to look for

Connections
Small laptops and netbooks tend to sacrifice connections for size – the smaller and thinner the unit, the harder it is to squeeze in connections. Look for at least two USB ports and a video-out option such as DVI or HDMI for connecting large monitors, TVs and projectors. A multi-format card slot for SD, MS and other memory cards is a bonus.

Keyboard and trackpad
Small screens usually mean small keyboards which are sometimes too tiny for touch typists. Try typing for a while in store if possible to get a feel for the keyboard and trackpad, especially if you touch type. Of the group we tested, only the MacBook Air had a full-size keyboard and trackpad.

WiFi
All new laptops should have the fast 802.11n wireless networking (WiFi) standard rather than the slower 802.11g. You may also find a slot for a 3G phone SIM card in some laptops, though this didn’t apply to the models we tested.

Screen quality and resolution
These are especially important on a small screen. A glossy screen may appear to give a brighter, more vivid picture, but is likelier to suffer reflections. Larger screens usually have 1366 x 768 resolution, an advantage over the 1024 x 600 resolution of some smaller models.

Security software
All Windows PCs should come with a suite of security software, preferably with a full one-year licence. Check to see if the bundled software is a full version or only a limited-time trial. You may have a choice of security software or a low-cost upgrade option when buying.

Colour
Some models (the Dell Inspiron Mini 1018, HP Mini 210 and MSI Wind from our test), come in a choice of colours. Check with the manufacturer’s website or the retailer for options.

For more information on computer specifications and features, see our test of Laptops, and our Computer buying guide.