At a time when netbook computers -- small computers typically attached to cellular networks -- are getting more popular, you might be tempted to purchase one. And while that may be a great idea because they are portable, easy-to-use and well-connected (just like you always wanted to be), you might get confused by the array of choices.

I've been playing with two HP netbooks attached to the Verizon Wireless network, and found that even though they broadly can be described in a similar fashion, they are different. The HP Mini 110 is an ultraportable computer that is well suited for taking on the road when a smart phone just doesn't give you a big enough screen or a keyboard that lets you efficiently type your epic. The HP Mini 311 goes upscale for usability, but downscale just a bit for portability.

If you're tired of carrying around a standard laptop, either HP Mini is easier to carry.

Though the Mini 311 -- which starts at $399 at HP.com or is $199 with a two-year contract bought from Verizon Wireless -- will seem a lot closer to your normal laptop. It has a large (by netbook standards) 11.5-inch diagonally measured screen that provides a nice, yet portable window to your documents. Your MS-Word documents are extremely readable; and you can fill your screen with a fair amount of spreadsheet data.

The Mini 110 is still much more readable than your smart phone but less practical than the Mini 311 for spreadsheets. Its 10-inch monitor may not seem much smaller than the one on the Mini 311 based on the published dimension; but side-by-side, there's a world of difference -- about 14 square inches different. Yet they both have good screens to view portable movie files.

As I write this on the Mini 311, I'm watching the "Colbert Report" on Hulu (a video channel operated by several broadcast networks) on the Mini 110 -- which goes for $99 with 2 year contract from Verizon Wireless and starts at $379 directly from HP. I easily could have typed on the Mini 110 and watched "Colbert" on the Mini 311. In neither case will you watch your favorite DVDs, though, because neither Mini has a DVD player.

That's actually one of the contradictions of these netbooks. They make trade-offs to keep the weight down and size compact, such as losing the CD/DVD drive and including smaller screens. But they are still well suited for various types of video.

They can stream from the Internet, either via Wi-Fi or Verizon Wireless' network. They can play files from your USB drive. And they both have webcams, facilitating video phone discussions with Skype or Oovoo. In essence, you don't lose capabilities; you just lose the hardware bling.

Both Minis have full-size keyboards with exactly the same key layouts. And they both have touch pads to use as cursor controls. The touch pads do get in the way. I sometimes inadvertently touch the pad, moving the cursor.

The touch pad on the Mini 110 has buttons on either side, which seems more natural to me than those on the Mini 311, which are side-by-side on the front edge of the laptop. But you might feel otherwise.

Both are competent systems for production work, connecting on the road and enjoying your favorite audio or video. But you'll want to test drive a couple netbooks before you decide which one suits your needs best.

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