Now that 2011 is here, faster processors are on the i3, i5 and i7 series. (Updated 11/04/11)

Netbook in price range 300-400 dollars

lenovo G570 (43347UU) Notebook Intel Pentium B950(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW Intel HD Graphics. Weight 2.76 pounds.
***External DVD burner for any notebook SAMSUNG USB 2.0 Slim External DVD Writer Model SE-208AB/TSBS $35


300-400 dollar laptop
Acer Aspire AS5733Z-4445 Notebook Intel Pentium P6100(2.00GHz) 15.6" 3GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics. $330.00. Weight 5.74 pounds.
Acer Aspire AS5733Z-4469 Notebook Intel Pentium P6200(2.13GHz) 15.6" 3GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics. $370.00. Weight 5.74 pounds.
TOSHIBA Satellite C655-S5339 Notebook Intel Pentium B950(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel HD Graphics. $400.00. Weight 5.3 pounds.

400-500 dollar laptop

lenovo G570 (43344QU) Notebook Intel Pentium B940(2.00GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW Intel HD Graphics. $480.00. Weight 5.73 pounds.

TOSHIBA Satellite L755-S5242 Intel Pentium B940(2.00GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD Intel HD Graphics Notebook. $440.00. Weight 5.7 pounds.
ASUS K53E-DH91 Notebook Intel Pentium B950(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 640GB HDD 5400rpm DL DVD±RW/CD-RW Intel HD Graphics. $480.00. Weight 5.7 pounds.

500-750 dollar laptop

Acer Aspire AS5750G-6804 Notebook Intel Core i3 2310M(2.10GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M. $600. Weight 5.74 pounds.

Lenovo IdeaPad Z570 (10249BU) Notebook Intel Core i5 2410M(2.30GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M. $700. Weight 5.73 pounds.

SONY VAIO EH Series VPCEH2KFX/B Notebook Intel Core i5 2430M(2.40GHz) 15.5" 4GB Memory DDR3 1333 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce 410M $700.00 Weight 5.70 pounds.