Dell Inspron

While the first netbooks featured 8.9-inch displays, with later models usually boasting larger 10.1-inch panels, Dell’s Inspiron Mini 12 is the first we’ve seen to use a 12.1-inch screen.

It’s bound to appeal to some users - the larger screen inevitably resulting in a less cramped interface, but does the extra size mean you’d be better off with a regular, more powerful full-sized laptop?

Colours and contrast on the Super-TFT screen are excellent, as with the smaller Mini 9. Dell has put the extra real estate to good use, fitting a higher 1280 x 800 pixel resolution than most netbooks. With enough space for multiple windows, it offers better usability than its rivals.