Before going any further with our quick review of NEC’s latest VersaPro Netbook, I’d like to stress I have no interest whatsoever in Netbooks. Today’s Netbooks are too thick and heavy to even be considered portable… And in Japan for a couple of bucks more you can get a Core 2 Duo capable PC with pretty much the same shape, size, and weight that provides WAY more potential than the average Netbook.

That said… I admit today for the first time Netbook trends have begun. I finally fell in love with one, behold the Nec VersaPro VS-7, an Atom powered Netbook that for once gives real meaning to the term ultra portability.

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The NEC VersaPro VS-7 is one of a kind with impressive numbers
- Intel Atom Z540 (1.84GHz)
- 64GB of SSD
- 15.8mm Thick
- 725g
- A body that resists pressures up to 150kg!

Granted the NEC VersaPro VS-7 is expensive, and costs twice as much as the average Netbook in Japan, but look again at the specifications… What other Netbooks are capable of matching these amazing numbers… Seriously, 725g and 15.8mm thick. Who can beat it?

Not only is the VersaPro VS-7 is freaking light, slim, and robust, I’m amazed by its performance despite NEC’s choice of integrating an Intel GMA500 Video chipset… We all know GMA500 Netbooks don’t keep pace when it comes to watching high quality video or even HD video files… But the VersaPro VS-7 doesn’t care what format we feed it. Once installed with the CCCP Codec, whatever file we gave the VersaPro played them… Even our 720p DivX video played JUST fine in full screen… Something that we never succeed on a Vaio P. Granted the Vaio P is powered by Vista, but once Vista installed on the VersaPro we did the same test with the same results. Flawless 720/30p DivX HD full screen playback!

Built for a more professional approach, the VersaPro VS-7 may often be used with office oriented tools, like Microsoft Office… And I even took the time to install PhotoShop CS3 with Bridge on this baby, just to be stunned to see that the little VersaPro VS-7 performed as well as my Vaio G2 with its 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo and 2GB of RAM… Yep, you are reading this right, the Nec VersaPro VS-7 Netbook, that costs twiceas less as a Vaio G2 is capable of handling photos under bridge and PhotoShop CS3 as well as the Sony! Unbelievable!

Conclusion:
Ultra compact, ultra light and powerful, the VersaPro for the first time is a computer I love to carry around with me and does exactly what I need when I work on the go. Sure the VersaPro is bit expensive and only available in Japan, but the difference in price is REALLY worth your consideration if you’re looking for a business tool… As for basic Email and Web surfing I even think the Versa-Pro is an amazing Netbook, I’d recommend it to anyone whose thinking of investing in either an iPod Touch or iPhone since it will give you exactly what you need and fits in your pocket.