Why a Netbook May Not Work for You
March 15th 2009 15:49
Category: Computers and Laptops
Netbooks are the newest addition to computers and laptops. They're lightweight laptops that offer big screens, full-sized keyboards, and various essential features of a desktop, but portable. The main thing that your netbook will lack your CD/DVD drive, and most hardware specifications, but typically that's not a problem.
The netbook is a great travel companion and, like I said, is very lightweight, typically averaging around two pounds. But, for the cost, you have to realize that with the netbook, you will encounter problems, and well netbooks just aren't for everyone.
If you already have a desktop or a laptop in your home or office, you should be fine with what you have. But, if you do a lot of traveling or you just want something lightweight to take to the coffee shop, then you may want to consider a netbook. But, if you're looking for a primary machine, then you should purchase a laptop instead, as it will have more of the essentials that you'll need long term.
Netbooks, not only make sacrifices with hardware, they also sacrifice the actual operating system. Most netbooks are pre-programed with Linux, but you can find Windows run netbooks. You just won't find a netbook that can support Vista though.
You'll find that the smaller netbooks that are marketed as ultra-portable, are even smaller than a regular netbook. Yes, that is the point, but that means that everything is smaller, making everything harder to use. Although, these typically do run on the latest operating system as the processor speed, memory, and hard drive size is generally going to be much higher, which will run the price up significantly.
Again, since they are smaller than the average desktop and laptop, the keyboard is smaller than the average keyboard. Some of the keys are very small, which can create problems for those people, typically men, with larger, fatter fingers. It can make typing very difficult and frustrating, especially when typing long emails, papers, reports, etc.
The track pads on the netbooks are also smaller than a full-sized laptop, and sometimes the left and right click buttons are on one switch, that or on the either side of the actual track pad, which can take time getting used to.
The display screen is smaller and harder to read, with some of the netbooks measuring only 7 or 8 inches. Although, the screen is fine to use when you have just one goal in mind, but if you're multi-tasking, the screen just won't cut it.
Going back to the actual system of the netbook, I want to repeat that they really sacrifice the system features in order to drag the price down.
The minimum system features that you'll want in a netbook include the following:
* Processor: 1.4 GHz Intel Atom or better, as anything lower will be a pure pain.
* Memory: 1GB or better for either Windows XP or Linus. With 512MB of RAM, you'll have a functional netbook and you'll be saving a few hundred bucks, but the extra RAM is well worth the money.
* Storage: Depends on your needs. 8GB won't work if you plan on storing loads of music and videos, which in that case the 120GB hard drive would work better.
* Battery: 6-cell. Anything smaller will die off after a few hours, which is not the point of a portable computer.
Now, that you've considered the main concerns with buying a netbook, it's up to you to determine whether or not purchasing one is worth the investment. If you travel a lot, then it would probably be a great investment for work purposes, whereas if you're desk-bound more than you're up and moving, a laptop would be a better investment.
You will find that a netbook is a great halfway point between a computer and a smartphone in terms of searching the internet and sending emails.
The netbook is a great travel companion and, like I said, is very lightweight, typically averaging around two pounds. But, for the cost, you have to realize that with the netbook, you will encounter problems, and well netbooks just aren't for everyone.
If you already have a desktop or a laptop in your home or office, you should be fine with what you have. But, if you do a lot of traveling or you just want something lightweight to take to the coffee shop, then you may want to consider a netbook. But, if you're looking for a primary machine, then you should purchase a laptop instead, as it will have more of the essentials that you'll need long term.
Netbooks, not only make sacrifices with hardware, they also sacrifice the actual operating system. Most netbooks are pre-programed with Linux, but you can find Windows run netbooks. You just won't find a netbook that can support Vista though.
You'll find that the smaller netbooks that are marketed as ultra-portable, are even smaller than a regular netbook. Yes, that is the point, but that means that everything is smaller, making everything harder to use. Although, these typically do run on the latest operating system as the processor speed, memory, and hard drive size is generally going to be much higher, which will run the price up significantly.
Again, since they are smaller than the average desktop and laptop, the keyboard is smaller than the average keyboard. Some of the keys are very small, which can create problems for those people, typically men, with larger, fatter fingers. It can make typing very difficult and frustrating, especially when typing long emails, papers, reports, etc.
The track pads on the netbooks are also smaller than a full-sized laptop, and sometimes the left and right click buttons are on one switch, that or on the either side of the actual track pad, which can take time getting used to.
The display screen is smaller and harder to read, with some of the netbooks measuring only 7 or 8 inches. Although, the screen is fine to use when you have just one goal in mind, but if you're multi-tasking, the screen just won't cut it.
Going back to the actual system of the netbook, I want to repeat that they really sacrifice the system features in order to drag the price down.
The minimum system features that you'll want in a netbook include the following:
* Processor: 1.4 GHz Intel Atom or better, as anything lower will be a pure pain.
* Memory: 1GB or better for either Windows XP or Linus. With 512MB of RAM, you'll have a functional netbook and you'll be saving a few hundred bucks, but the extra RAM is well worth the money.
* Storage: Depends on your needs. 8GB won't work if you plan on storing loads of music and videos, which in that case the 120GB hard drive would work better.
* Battery: 6-cell. Anything smaller will die off after a few hours, which is not the point of a portable computer.
Now, that you've considered the main concerns with buying a netbook, it's up to you to determine whether or not purchasing one is worth the investment. If you travel a lot, then it would probably be a great investment for work purposes, whereas if you're desk-bound more than you're up and moving, a laptop would be a better investment.
You will find that a netbook is a great halfway point between a computer and a smartphone in terms of searching the internet and sending emails.
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