Staples current flyer, good until March 8th (Tuesday) has an HP Compaq netbook on sale for $249.06. Windows 7 Starter edition, 10.1" screen, 1GB RAM, 250GB hard drive, 1.66GHz Intel Atom Processor N455, and all the normal stuff you get with a Netbook, i.e. - quite a lot.
http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_s ... xedcode=WW
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/manu ... t=5052022& - manuals
I was surprised recently to see a Dell netbook for $269, having happily paid $329 a year ago for an HP Mini -- the cheapest at the time with Windows 7 -- so, $249.06 is really quite the deal.
I'm actually surprised how much use I get out of mine. Bought originally for my wife, instead of a desktop, I end up using it for the oddest chores that would be difficult any other way. For example, two installs at my in-laws, first of a Shaw Wireless Gateway, then the TELUS equivalent, and a replacement of a defective Shaw Wireless Gateway at home. Because I opt for installing modems and routers in the basement, near the entry point to the house for telephone, cable, etc., it is a real hassle now that most equipment requires some sort of "conversation" via a computer to get it working. The netbook eliminated the need to temporarily setup the household desktop in the basement. Or, worse yet, running back and forth, up and down stairs, to respond on the computer, push switches, watch lights or read ID/password off the label on the gateway.
I also use the netbook in the local public library while waiting for family to do chores nearby, in the parking lot at the doctor's office while waiting for others' appointments, or at the eye doctor on one of the dispensary counters. Even out of range of wi-fi, I can caption pictures for web sites and such.