Netbooks are lightweight and portable PCs designed for basic computing and online browsing. They come with Linux or Windows XP, solid-state or standard hard drives, and built-in WiFi, webcam, and USB ports. Entry-level models are suitable for students and seniors, while power users may prefer larger drives and keyboards. Prices start at $250 USD, but some models can cost up to $600 USD. XP netbooks are sturdier but heavier and slower than Linux ones. Avoid buying the cheapest model and installing XP on it, as it will run too slow.
Netbook or mini laptop is a highly portable, lightweight and compact PC with everything needed for basic computing and online browsing, minus the CD/DVD player. Originally aimed at a niche market that required a low-cost PC with basic features, its explosive popularity led to the genre expanding to include heavier and more expensive models, blurring the lines between the mini laptop and laptop markets standard.
A mini laptop can weigh less than two pounds (91 kg), and with an LCD screen measuring just 6-10 inches (15-25cm) diagonally depending on the model, it’s truly portable. Models running Linux® are usually equipped with a small but ultra-fast solid-state drive (SSD), which is essentially a large flash memory chip. An SSD not only makes your PC lighter, it also extends battery life. Some models can last up to seven hours on a single charge.
The Linux desktop is uncluttered with a few large icons that lead the way to online services, work applications, games, or stored files. These netbooks come with Open Office®, a free and open source productivity suite that includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, presentation application, graphics program, and database. Built-in WiFi is standard (many cards only support “g” networks), and most models also include a webcam, microphone and headphone jacks, flash card reader, and USB ports. All of this for a price that starts at $250 US Dollars (USD).
Entry-level models can be perfect for students to do homework, exchange emails, surf the web and play games. Seniors with little or no computer experience to date may also find the Linux-based mini laptop with its simple desktop a good introduction to the Internet, email, and basic computer tasks. A mini laptop is also handy to have around the house when the primary machines are busy and someone needs to get online, write a document or perform some other task. For those who dislike thumb typing on cell phones or personal digital assistants, a netbook can provide Internet on the go in a more convenient, yet highly portable machine.
Power users and geeks probably won’t be satisfied with lower-end models as primary machines, as there’s little room to install applications or to store music or video libraries. USB memory sticks can extend your storage space, but buying a model with a larger drive is a better choice. The smaller models will also have smaller keyboards, which may be a consideration for those with larger hands or touch-typers. Finally, dedicated Windows® users may prefer Microsoft® applications, narrowing the choices down to XP®-based netbooks.
While the undemanding Linux system can get by with as little as a 4GB SSD (although mid-range models come with larger drives), XP netbooks tend to be sturdier, many featuring a standard hard drive instead. of an SSD. The trade-off is in weight, speed, and battery life. A hard drive will use more power, be heavier, and a little slower in comparison, but it will also provide plenty of room for programs and storage. Some XP netbooks come with 160GB hard drives, while an XP mini laptop with SSD might only offer 8GB.
As of Winter 2009, an XP mini laptop weighing 3.2 lbs (1.45 kg), with a 10-inch (254 mm) LCD screen, 160 GB drive, 1 GB RAM, card reader, webcam, and the the rest can be purchased for about $390 US DOLLAR. For a model with wireless “n” capability (as well as “g” functionality), expect to pay closer to $420 USD, rivaling the cost of a standard low-end laptop. Some netbooks sell for as much as $600 USD or more, though whether such expensive models should be classified as netbooks is debatable.
Avoid the mistake of buying the least expensive mini laptop, then installing XP on it. The minimum hardware requirements for Linux are much lower than for XP and XP will run too slow. If you want XP, choose a model with XP already installed. Some netbooks are also available with Vista, but this operating system is even more demanding than its predecessor, making XP the best choice for Microsoft fans.
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