Looking to buy a Laptop? Think about a Netbook!
What is a Netbook
A Netbook (InterNET and noteBOOK) is a class of Laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet. Netbook is primarily designed for web-browsing and emailing. Netbooks are gaining grounds on their compact design, slimmer looks and sleeker appeal.
Netbook is a Notebook computer with a low-powered x86-compatible processor (compatible with PC standard software), small screen (no larger than 10 inches), small keyboard, equipped with wireless connectivity, lightweight (under three pounds) and generally with no optical disk drive. They sometimes have Solid State Drives (SSDs) instead of Hard Disk Drives, which are lower capacity but have no moving parts and should, in theory, increase battery life and speed. Netbooks can run either Linux or Windows XP.
Why a Netbook
The obvious question is why should anyone buy a device with a smaller screen, slower processor, no optical drive when you can get a full-featured notebook?
When it comes to a portable computer, the things that matter to most are speed and convenience.A Netbook is more convenient because it is lighter, and it usually has a lightweight operating system. The processor itself isn't as powerful, but there's much less processing that needs to be done with Windows XP or Linux in order to be usable.
If we are just looking for a portable computer to take along with us while traveling, to check e-mail, chat on Skype, watch some Youtube videos, take some notes, then a Netbook is what we want. Where as if we're going to do intensive image editing, multimedia authoring, gaming etc then a Notebook/Laptopi is more suited for our needs.
Don’t confuse these low cost Netbooks with some of the sub-compact full featured Notebooks that are also out there. Sony, Dell and others also offer small lightweight Notebooks that have all the features of a full size computer in a tiny package but at a hefty price of $1400 and up. Some of these have plenty of power and features and up to 9 hours of battery life. These are real computers that are just packed into really small cases.
How does it compares to a regular Notebook
Let’s see the differences between a typical Netbook and a regular Notebook. Features of Dell Mini 9 Netbook are compared with a regular sized Dell Inspiron Notebook below:
Inspiron Mini 9
Proecessor: Intel Atom Processor N270
Screen: 8.9”
Weight: 5.9lbs.
Battery: 32WHr Battery (4 cell)
Processor speed: 1.6 GHz
Memory: 1GB DDR2, 8GB SSD Memory
OS: Windows XP Home
Options: Camera, Bluetooth
Cost: $299
Inspiron 1525
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200
Screen: 15.6” Wide Screen, Optional Hi-Res
Weight: 2.28 lbs.
Battery: 6-cell battery
Processor speed: 2 GHz
Memory: 4GB, Disk 320GB
OS: Windows Vista
Options: Camera, Bluetooth, ext Bat, More mem
Cost: $699
Pros compared to a regular Laptop:
- Excellent portability due to small size and light weight
- Good enough for basic computer tasks
- Relatively low cost
Cons compared to a regular Laptop:
- Small screen/lower resolution, small keyboard due to small size
- Limited processing power
- Hardware upgrades can be more challenging
- Due to lower processing capabilities, size and cost, advanced features are less adopted (FireWire, HDMI, etc...)
Which Netbook to buy?
It seems that Initially Netbook category was lead by Asus, Acer, but today computer giants Dell and HP jumped into the race.
According to the PcWorld.com the TOP 10 Netbooks are:
1. Asus EEE PC 1000HE
2. Acer Aspire ONE AOD150
3. Lenovo IdeaPad S10
4. Acer Aspire One (XP-Based)
5. Asus Eee PC 1000 XP
6. HP Mini 2140
7. Asus N10Jc
8. HP Mini 1000
9. Dell Inspiron Mini 9
10. MSI Wind U100
As with any purchase, you have to decide for yourself on what suits you best.
So go ahead explore the world of Netbooks and see if it's a better choice compared to a Laptop. While the Laptop market is declining in this economy, interestingly the Netbook sales are predicted to be on the rise.
A couple of useful resources:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/154358/top_10_netbooks.html
http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=18573429&imageindex=1
Read the original article and more blog posts about tech gadgets and shopping tips
Question and Answer
What is the best netbook and tablet on the market?
i have been thinking of getting a netbook because of it portability or a tablet because i found it to be cool. so which is the best netbook and the best tablet on the market?
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February 13th, 2010 - 23:04
February 13th, 2010 - 23:29
February 13th, 2010 - 23:50
watch my videos..you’ll change your mind
February 13th, 2010 - 23:54
Net Book: slow processor speed, poor video graphics, not for any gaming, small screen (eye strain), small down sized key board, limited ram memory, most of all no CD/DVD drive.
Good for surfing Internet and basic work, light and portable.
Lap top: full featured, larger screen and key board, faster processor, more ram memory, better video/graphics, better sound audio, larger hard drive, works wireless or wired and more.
I prefer Toshiba Satellite lap tops: look here just to compare models, features, prices:
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/home…
February 13th, 2010 - 23:56
Great piece of kit
February 14th, 2010 - 00:14
It can do everything your desktop and laptop can do, only with the limitation of a slower processor and a smaller screen, which may not matter much depending how you use it.
February 14th, 2010 - 07:18
@ForeignerSuiteLover not as big and heavy
February 14th, 2010 - 09:11
or u kno 2 little…
February 14th, 2010 - 09:40
I have the Aspire One, it has a slot for 3g but the module has been released yet. It does have 802.11 b/g wireless so you can connect at Hot Spots. If you want to connect wirelessly anywhere you will need to get a wireless card.
February 14th, 2010 - 09:48
have you looked at the Dell 11z netbook?… i would choose the HP Mini 311
February 14th, 2010 - 15:14
February 15th, 2010 - 04:15
whats your story have to do with this netbook???
February 15th, 2010 - 10:48
lol comment rating says enough ^^
February 15th, 2010 - 18:10
Speaking of underneath the hood what does she have under the hood?
February 16th, 2010 - 05:58
Hi shar_sabotage;
I would recommend a lap top over a netbook because with the laptop you get a dvd drive and you can also upgrade the hard drive and the RAM. You can't do this with a net book.
But
If you do not watch movies or burn data to a dvd then get the netbook because it is smaller and lighter to carry around.
Have fun with whatever you choose.
February 16th, 2010 - 15:17
and not as powerful?
February 16th, 2010 - 19:31
February 17th, 2010 - 00:10
A woman that knows too much computer..