I'm looking for a good, but cheap netbook to sit on my living room table and use primarily to simply browse the internet when I'm in front of my TV.  I don't suppose anyone can give me some recommendations.

Yeah, I saw that one already, but it seemed like more of a discussion about which type of computer he needed, so I decided to make a new thread.

We got an Asus EeePC netbook here at work.  It has 1Gb of RAM, 160 Gb hard drive, 9 inch screen and Windows XP home.  I like it a lot and it works great.  Our traveling sales people take it when they go on trips so they have a small portable computer to VPN into our system with.  I also use it for maintenance and training around the office. 

I looked up the CHEAPEST possible (no coupon codes, but i did count built-in rebates offered automatically) netbook vs notebook at Dell and Hp's websites:

HP Mini 110 Mi - Intel Atom 1.6Ghz (533Mhz 512K cache), Linux OS, 10.1" 1024x576, 1gb, 8gb solid state, wifi g, Intel graphics
$279

HP Presario CQ60Z - AMD Sempron 2.1Ghz (512K cache), Vista Home Basic, 15.6" 1366x768, 1gb mem, 160g 5400rpm, dvd burner, wireless g, nvidia geforce 8200m graphics
$400

Dell Mini 10 - Intel Atom 1.6Ghz (533Mhz 512K Cache), XP Home, 10.1" 1024x600, 1Gb mem, 120gb 5400rpm, Intel graphics, g wifi
$300

Dell Inspiron 13 - Pentium Dual Core 2.Ghz (800Mhz 1MB Cache), Vista Home basic, 1280x800 13.3", DVD burner, 2GB mem, 160GB 5400rpm, Intel Graphics, Dell g wireless
$500

I haven't bought a prebuilt system in forever.  Which would be preferable; hp or dell?

most laptops are made by the same main china laptop manufacturers anyway.  Build quality is a moot point now.  If you plan on formatting/reinstalling windows as soon as you get it, then the crap they include in the image is moot as well.  Just focus on specific features that you want and a low price, not necessarily manufacturers.