For the last 5 years I've been trying to find a good sunlight readable screen for operation in the Mojave desert.
Until last month I'd failed.
I'd heard good things about the http://www.pixelqi.com/ screens.
I'd never seen one and after being disapointed with sunlight readable screens over and over I was hesitant.
You can buy just the screen from maker shed and convert your netbook, alas I broke down and just bought an already converted samsung from sunbook.: http://www.cloversystems.com/SunBook.htm
A bit pricey for a netbook, but the screen is 100% readable in bright bright sun.
In reflective mode the brighter the light the easier to read.
In dim light or indoors it operates just like a normal LCD screen.
Outside in bright sun it becomes transreflective and you basically loose all the color,
it becomes a black and white screen. (you can even turn off the back light to save power in the sun, the backlight does nothing in sun but burn power) Completly readable.
Not asociated with pixel QI or sunbook in any way other than as a satisfied customer.
If you need a sunlight readable pc it has my vote.
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One thing I noticed recently:
My phosphor e-ink watch is totally readable even in brightest sunlight, while its hard to notice if the screen of the my Sony Ericsson 750i mobile phone is on at all.
I guess a ebook reader with e-ink screen would be cheap sunlight-proven alternative to your laptop. Depending on what one needs it for.
Phosphor watch looks like this:
http://www.phosphorwatches.com/World-Time-Curved-E-Ink-Watch-Stainl...