Update: You can find many more bargains on netbooks, with many models selling for $399, or even $299 or less in the Liliputing Deals section of the web site.

More than a year ago when Asus first started talking about building a low cost ultraportable laptop, there was a lot of talk about the e$200 price point. But by the time the Eee PC 701 4G was launched in October, 2007, the price shot up to $399. While that’s still cheap for a subnotebook, it’s still a sizable lump of cash. A year later, you can actually find a few netbooks with prices around $250. But a funny thing happened over the past 12 months. Not only did netbooks get cheaper, they also got more powerful. And if you’re willing to spend between $300 and $400, you can get a whole lot more laptop than you could just a year ago for that price. With that in mind, here are 10 netbooks available today for $399 or less.

1. Acer Aspire One (Linux, 3 cell battery) – $299: This netbook has an 8.9 inch display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 512MB of RAM, an 8GB solid state disk and Linpus Linux Lite. This is one of the cheapest netbooks with a 1024 x 600 pixel display you’re likely to find. This model comes with a 3-cell battery.
2. Acer Aspire One (Windows XP, 3 cell battery) – $349.99: This version of the Aspire One costs a few bucks more, but you get 1GB of RAM, a 120GB hard drive, and Windows XP instead of Linux. All the rest of the specs are pretty much the same. Update: Newegg has this model for $350: Acer Aspire one AOA150-1649 Intel Atom 8.9″ Wide SVGA Intel GMA950 Netbook
3. Acer Aspire One (Windows XP, 6 cell battery) – $379.99: Just barely squeaking in under the $400 mark, this netbooks is nearly identical to the one above, but it has a 160GB hard drive instead of 120GB and it has a 6-cell battery which should provide at least double the battery life.
4. HP MIni 1000 – from $349:  HP’s successor to the HP 2133 Mini-Note has a faster processor, a larger display, and a lower price. HP did make some compromises to keep the price down. The screen resolution is lower than previous models and the plastic case isn’t as sturdy as the HP 2133’s aluminum case. But this the HP Mini 1000 is one of the thinnest, lightest netbooks around. And the base model is quite affordable.
5. Sylvania G Meso – $369.99: 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, and an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display. The link is to a black model, but it also comes in white, yellow, and pink.
6. Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Laptop Computer – $299: Dell offers two versions of the Inspiron Mini for under $400. The base model is just $349 and has 4GB of flash memory, 512MB of RAM, an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, and runs Ubuntu 8.04 Linux. For another $50 you can get a version with an 8GB solid state disk and Windows XP.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad S10 – $349: This netbook has a 10.2 inch display, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a 3 cell battery. It’s also one of the more professional looking netbooks available, thanks to sharper edges and corners than you’ll find on some of the other netbooks in this price range which favor rounded off edges. The IdeaPad S10 is available in white and red. For some reason the red model costs $30 more.
8. MSI Wind U100 – $349: While rebates aren’t exactly my favorite way of bringing down prices, since they can expire and the price can shoot back up again, this one is too good not to mention. The MSI Win is one of the most popular netbooks around, with a 10.2 inch screen, 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 120GB HDD. This model has a 3 cell battery and normally sells for about $450. If you don’t like dealing with rebates, you can also order an MSI Wind U90. This model has an 8.9 inch display and runs SUSE Linux, but is otherwise quite similar to the U100. The U90 isn’t officially available in the US, but you can order one from Canada and have it shipped to the US for under $400.

After the page break, you can find a list of Asus Eee PC models with 9 inch or larger displays for under $400. I’ve left the Eee PC 701 and other 7-inch screen netbooks off the list.

1. Asus Eee PC 900 – $343.99: This was the first Eee PC to come with an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display standard, as well as 1GB of RAM. It also features 16GB of solid state memory, which is rather roomy compared to earlier Eee PC models or even the Acer Aspire One. But the Eee PC 900 packs a 900MHz Intel Celeron CPU, while most of the newer models listed below have the 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor. This particular model runs Linux, but there are also Windows XP versions of the 900.
2. Asus Eee PC 900A – $279.99: While the Eee PC 900 is still selling for $335, Best Buy has a deal on the sequel: the Eee PC 900A. The 900A basically has the same form factor and specs as the original Eee PC 900. But instead of a Celeron processor, it has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU.
3. Asus Eee PC 900HA – $369.99: For just a few dollars more than the Eee PC 900, you can get the 900HA which has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows XP Home Edition.
4. Asus Eee PC 904HA – $348.95: The Eee PC 904HA is virtually identical to the 900HA on paper. It has the same 8.9 inch display, the same Atom CPU, and the same 160GB HDD and Windows XP operating system. The difference is, it has a larger keyboard thanks to a larger case. If you find the keyboard on the Eee PC 900 and other netbooks with 8.9 inch screens too small, the 904HA might be for you.
5. Asus Eee PC 1000HD – $399: Want the larger keyboard that comes with the Eee PC 904HA, but also want a larger screen? The Eee PC 1000HD has a 10.2 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, an 80GB hard drive, 1GB of RAM, a 900MHz Intel Celeron CPU, and runs Xandros Linux.

All of these prices are subject to change. You can find even more bargains in the Liliputing Shop!