Subnotebooks are smaller and lighter than traditional laptops, making them more portable and affordable. They are easy to use for specific applications, but have smaller screens and limited graphics capabilities. Some schools are turning to subnotebooks for computer access. Their future in the computer industry is uncertain.
The subnotebook is one of the newer entries in portable computers. When portable computers first hit the market, those capable of running full programs like word programs and the like were still quite large in size. Early entries, such as the Apple® Power Book 100, were about the size of a sheet of binder paper, about 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide when closed. Apple’s notebook weighed about 5 pounds (2.28 kg). Other competitors have released smaller and lighter models, such as the Gateway Handbook®, Hewlett-Packard Omnibook® and Toshiba Portege T3400®.
These early “superportable” notebooks look giant next to the subnotebook types developed in the late 2000s. For example, the ASUS Eee PC® released in 2007 measures approximately 9 by 6 inches (22.86 by 15.24 cm), and users will notice that although Although a full keyboard is offered, it is much smaller than the average-sized keyboard on a larger PC or laptop. Some people report that the smaller keyboard takes some getting used to and that even good beginning typists may have trouble not making many mistakes with the much smaller keys and the width between key spaces.
One advantage of the subnotebook, which can be categorized between the sizes of standard laptops and small handheld computers such as Nintendo DS® game consoles, is its portability. Most versions of subnotebooks also tend to be less expensive than full-size notebooks, and you can get one with loads of software and options for around $300-400 US Dollars (USD). If you want more memory or more bells and whistles, the more expensive variants will cost the same as the larger notebooks.
A subnotebook can best be described as easy to use for specific applications. Most will run programs like Microsoft Office® which include Word and Excel. Almost all subnotebooks offer you WiFi connectivity, so you can access your e-mail and search the net. Some users complain about smaller screens, making it more difficult to view full Internet pages or tables embedded in elements like Excel. Also, many reviewers note that most of these notebooks don’t support the graphics or memory needed to play complicated games.
Those who prefer a smaller and lighter computer for general use and those who like value for money can feel the appeal of the subnotebook. In fact, a number of schools are turning to subnotebooks as a means of providing computer access to students, because they’re generally much less expensive than larger laptops. There’s certainly a niche market for these tiny, fully functional computers, but whether they’ll become giants of the computer industry remains to be seen.
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