Netbooks, for anyone who has been on Mars for the past two years, are all the rage in mobile computing at the moment. These cut-down notebooks tend to focus on a few key strengths – low price tag, low weight and limited spec (wireless internet and office applications but small screens, meagre RAM and storage and poor batteries). This meant that the early netbooks tended to be austere in looks. Asus was the big innovators on the netbook scene with its Eee range but the latest addition to that family is trying to break out of the netbook niche.

Out goes the plain exterior of the early Eees and in comes a glittery mocha brown shell that yells “look at me”. The glitz factor continues to the keyboard, with a sprinkling of glitter on each key. The blingiest thing of all, though, are the two Swarovski crystals at either end of the hinge.

While we’re on the subject of the keyboard, the keys are all nicely sized even for big-fingered fellows like me, with the exception of the right-hand CTRL key, the # key and – perhaps something of an oversight for a netbook – the backslash key. The right hand shift key is in a very odd location on the right of the cursor keys and I didn’t get used to this at all during testing. In fact, I was surprised to discover that the keys are little different from those on my full sized Sony Vaio keyboard.

Out too goes the plasticky wristrest and in comes a brushed metal plateau on which to rest your hands, mimicking notebooks with much higher price tags, notably the new aluminium Macbooks. Overall, the build quality is the best I have seen in the netbook category.

While we’re dwelling on the wrist-rest, the touchpad is responsive and has a single, narrow rocker button rather than two distinct buttons. It takes some getting used to, if your thumb knows its favourite position on the left hand button as mine does.

Such quality comes at a price of course and the £400+ tag is edging up towards the bottom of the notebook class.

The S101 runs on either Linux or Windows XP, although the latter is less well specced as a result of restrictions that Microsoft puts on netbook makers: a maximum screen of 10.2 inches, maximum RAM of 1GB as well as a limit on chip speed and hard disk size. The XP version of the S101 touches all these limits other than the last. It uses solid state storage rather than a hard disk with 16GB in the Microsoft version. It also offers 30GB of online storage, initially free of charge.

The company make much about the new netbook’s improved battery life over earlier Eees, with a claimed five hours. In my tests, it typically lasted nearer four – still not bad really given that it has to have a light battery to keep to a kilo in weight.

As for speed, I had it running StarOffice, while watching the 720p new Watchmen trailer and playing Pinball all at the same time with few problems. For most business travellers who only want to flip in and out of an office application while sending emails, this is fine.

The spec

Dimensions: 264mm wide x 180.5 mm deep x 18 to 25 mm high, weight 1kg, Intel Atom N270 processor, 10.2" wide LED-backlit TFT, 1024x600 resultion, 1GB RAM, 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth 2.0, 16GB (Windows XP) or 32/64GB (Linux) solid state drive, 4-in-1 SD/MMC/Memory Stick and MS Pro card reader, 1 VGA port, 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 RJ-45 port, 2 audio jacks.

The hype

They say: “Fashion-On-The-Go With the Ultra-Slim S101”

The reality

We say: "With three different colour schemes – mocha, champagne and graphite – the fashionistas are certainly a target here. The glittery and smooth exterior will go down well with the in-crowd. It’s lim but not in the same ultra-slim class as the Macbook Air, another laptop that’s proving popular with the fashion set."

The bottom line

Windows XP version for £416.03 from Pcsuppliers.co.uk

The verdict

This pimped Eee is the blingiest netbook on the market. Even if you are not part of the jetset, the Eee PC S101 is an impressive gadget to take on the road, thanks to its impressive battery life and robust build. With this price tag and spec, I predict this will be a hot seller.

The roadwarrior rating

9 out of 10