What are the advantages of a Netbook? (or mini-laptop)
Netbooks hit the market big in 2008/2009, and you see people with them just about everywhere. Of course, us laptop users wonder: Why would I want one?
For the purpose of simplicity, I am going to refer to these devices as Netbooks, because that’s what they are. Other names do include Cloudbooks, Netbooks, and Ultra-Mobile Laptops,
Let’s talk about a few key features of the Netbooks:
First, portability. If this wasn’t obvious, go get your mental status checked. The keyboard is typically the same size as your regular keyboard, so typing is not an issue. Things are pushed together more, for example: The cursor keys on a Netbook are much closer, some duplicate keys (such as CTRL and ALT) may have been reduced to just one key. Other keys, such as PrntScrn, NumLk, Pause, Insert, and home may have been turned into Fn (Function) keys, due to how infrequently they are used.
Netbooks are lightweight, though not much lighter than a newer laptop. Also, the power adapter tends to have a longer cable with a smaller power brick (much smaller).
Netbooks tend to be priced around $299-$399, making them seem to be more affordable. Obviously, it is cheaper to make some parts smaller (like an LCD screen).
It should be kept in mind that a Netbook is no different from a cheap laptop. The processors of a Netbook is not as fast as what you will find in a regular laptop. Along with that, Netbooks have virtually no video capabilities beyond playing video; this means that Gaming is out. RAM is not typically extended beyond 1GB (though some will have two). If you go with a SolidState Disk, your storage will usually be limited to about 16GB.
Netbooks do not have CD drives, one of the main features that causes them to be so small. This adds complexity of adding some software, as you will need a flash drive to install things from.
Netbooks, due to the amount of power they conserve from having slower components, have great battery lives. This feature has gotten the attention of many. Battery lives of a Netbook tend to be around 4-5 hours, but vary depending on the manufacturer and model.
Netbooks are great for office-type work, playing Solitaire, watching a few movies, and browsing the Internet. “If you can’t do it on an older computer, you can’t do it on a Netbook.”
Should you get one?
It’s all up to what you need.
Myself, I would love to have one for school. It would be much easier to get out and bring with me, but I know I would not use it at home often enough to make it worthwhile. My threefour-year-old laptop (this statement written DEC 2009) can do more than the Netbook that is sitting right next to me (I repair computers). How could I ever give up The Sims 3 (R) ?
Where can I get one?
I highly recommend Costco, if you decide that you don’t like it then you can return it, no questions asked. If you want to buy online, Newegg has a wide selection of Netbooks (Netbooks).
Edit Dec 24, 2009 at 10:27pm: (same day)
Changed “Mini-Laptop” to “Netbook”, since the market term tends to be “Netbook” more than any of the other possible words.
