Mini laptops are good for basic tasks like internet browsing and word processing, but not for gaming or resource-intensive programming. They have good portability and battery life, but small screens and may not run on Windows®. They are low-cost, with prices ranging from $250 to $400 USD.
Answering the question of whether mini laptops are usable really depends on what you want to use one for. These computers are one of the top sellers in recent years, especially for students looking for a low-cost machine to surf the Internet and perform basic computing tasks, such as word processing and spreadsheets. However, they have also received a lot of criticism due to their lack of features.
For what they’re supposed to do, mini laptops are quite competent. They can surf the internet at pretty good speeds with a wireless card. Some have mobile broadband cards, which are able to use cellular frequencies to access the internet, so Wi-Fi access isn’t necessary. However, this feature may cost a little more on some models.
One of the major criticisms of mini laptops is the screen size. Most do not exceed 9 cm (22.86 inches). However, while many may prefer a larger screen size, the fact is that mini laptops are designated as such due to their smaller size. Those who want a larger screen size should consider another type of notebook.
It should be noted that those interested in mini laptops should be careful to understand what operating system they might have. Even for those manufacturers specializing in notebook PC models, the operating system may not be based on Windows®. Conversely, some may be a Linux® system. While this may not be a major concern for many people, those used to a particular operating system may not appreciate the change.
For those who want to do a little more with their laptops, mini laptops might not be the best choice. They’re not good for most gaming applications. Any resource-intensive programming, like drafting, would also be crappy on these mini laptops. They can run slowly, get jittery, and even freeze. For this reason, anyone needing a computer for such applications would do well to consider other models.
Where mini laptops excel is in their portability. Besides being very easy to carry from one place to another, the battery life is also very good. One of the biggest consumers of batteries in computers is the screen. The smaller the screen, the longer the battery will last. In some cases, getting six to eight hours on a mini laptop battery is a reasonable expectation.
Another advantage of these computers is the cost. You can get a car for just $250 US Dollars (USD). Even better models can still be had for around $400 USD. While many may not include a CD/DVD drive, they will include a hard drive, plenty of RAM, and the ability to connect to the Internet wirelessly.
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