China Mobile 3G netbooks now on shelves in Shanghai

In case you've been waffling over whether to get a netbook, Shanghai Mobile and Yongle electronic store have both begun selling 3G-versions of the ultraportable computers this week. All of these laptop-lites use the TD-SCDMA 3G standard on China Mobile, the only telecommunications company to offer a 3G network option so far.

According to China Tech News, China Mobile will be giving subsidies to users who buy its 3G netbooks with a plan. There is a 2100RMB subsidy which includes 600RMB in call fees and 1,500RMB in data service fees or a 1500RMB subsidy which drops the data service fees to just 900RMB.

Currently, there are seven netbooks from six companies to choose from, all bearing 10.2-inch screens and using the Windows XP Home OS. We were a little disappointed that there weren't any 8.9-inchers out there (the 11/2" really does determine what kind of things you can shove your laptop into) and that nothing came with Linux, but if that doesn't matter to you, here's what you can get:

1. HP Mini 1000

This netbook is said to have one of the best keyboards found on an ultra-mini-computer ever and is also the lightest option available, but there are limited expansion slots and its 3-cell battery lasts under three hours.
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM and an 80GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.08KG, 261.6×166.6×25.13mm

2. Lenovo Zhaoyang M10W

One of the newest Lenovo options out there, this 3G netbook doesn't have a review yet - but its 6-cell battery promises a good 4 to 5 hours of on the road time.
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 2GB) and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.25KG, 250×183×22-27mm

3. Dell Inspiron Mini 10

Dell's Mini 10 has a crisp display, an HDMI port to connect to your hi-def TV and a decent keyboard, but is lacking when it comes to its battery.
Comes With: an Intel Atom Z530 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 2GB) and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.3KG, 22mm thin

4. Founder E100

Apparently the selling point of this netbook is that it's made with “green” materials, otherwise it seems to be a tad heavier than the other netbooks plus it's ugly as sin.
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.28Kg, measurements unlisted

5. Haier X105

According to its press release, this netbook comes with some sort of technology that helps your eyes not get tired. Other than that, it's comparable to the better netbooks in size and speed. Only about 3 hours worth of battery life though.
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 2GB) and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.2kg, 265×185×35mm

6. Haier X200

Besides being slightly chunkier than the X105, there's not much difference to this Haier model. It boasts the same specs and a just slightly more powerful battery
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM (expandable to 2GB) and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.25kg, 267×185×25.2-36.5mm

7. Tongfang imini S5

It's got a shiny blue cover. Otherwise, it looks like nobody's done a review on this machine yet.
Comes With: an Intel Atom N270 1.6Ghz chip, 1GB DDR2 RAM and an 160GB hard drive.
Measurements: 1.26kg, 264 x 184 x 35.16mm

If none of these options strike your fancy, wait a couple more weeks. China Mobile has partnerships with at least a dozen other computer manufacturers so who knows what other netbooks you'll see down the line.