HP Compaq Mini 700 in Laptops

While the Mini 700's skinny frame might be a large part of its appeal, it doesn't leave a great deal of space for ports and connectors.

Peer around the slim edges and there are just two USB ports, an SD/MMC card reader and a single headphone jack, which has to double as a microphone input. There's no monitor output at all and if you want a VGA output you'll have to shell out £35 inc VAT for an external dongle.

The Mini 700 leaves us frustrated. In many ways it's an excellent netbook: the build quality is top-notch, the keyboard superb and the looks would happily grace a far more expensive machine. And at £243 exc VAT it's undoubtedly very good value.

Put it up against the A-Listed Samsung NC10, though, and it's impossible to ignore the smaller hard drive, mediocre battery life and stingy selection of ports.

Buy the Mini 700 and you won't be disappointed, but allow a litle extra for the second battery.

Author: Sasha Muller