| Mini laptops, or netbooks, as the technology has | | | | However, in order to maximize their efficiency, |
| come to be called, are laptops that are reduced in | | | | netbook makers necessarily had to eliminate or pare |
| size, lightened to promote portability, and have their | | | | down on some key features to get the lightweight, |
| battery lives lengthened as much as possible so that | | | | versatile, and convenient, ultra-portable mini laptop |
| their users can use the netbook almost all day before | | | | they needed. |
| having to charge the battery. | | | | To get the weight under a few pounds (usually less |
| Advantages of Netbook Computers | | | | than three to four), most netbooks lack a CD or |
| Public transportation commuters, travelers, and | | | | DVD drive, and have less RAM, older video cards |
| students who constantly need to move around but | | | | that aren't designed to run games or visual |
| still have their computer handy, are the target | | | | applications like desktop publishing tools. Depending on |
| market for these devices. Most netbooks are small | | | | the user, these reduced features can make them |
| enough to fit inside a purse or small bag, with | | | | inadequate as a replacement for a traditional laptop. |
| rounded corners and an ergonomic design to help | | | | Many computer aficionados, however, already know |
| prevent snagging. They also have an exceptionally | | | | this, and use the netbook for travel and a higher-end |
| long battery life, often over eight hours, perfect for | | | | laptop or desktop PC for gaming or for running more |
| using the laptop all day without having to find an | | | | involved software programs. |
| electrical outlet to plug it in. | | | | Depending on their exact screen and keyboard size, |
| Netbooks provide the greatest use to people who | | | | netbooks can feel very cramped during usage. |
| only need the Internet and certain core software | | | | Screens that are smaller than ten inches often |
| programs, like Microsoft Word and Excel. Most other | | | | require horizontal scrolling when viewing websites, |
| program will run, but the netbook's limited processing | | | | which is annoying, and some netbook keyboards are |
| power won't be able to work at top speed when | | | | so tiny they are difficult to type accurately on, with |
| resource-intensive programs are open. | | | | non-responsive keys in addition. |
| For a full computer experience, netbooks are | | | | Overall Recommendation |
| remarkably affordable, mostly due to less than top | | | | If you're only going to own one type of computer, I |
| of the line specs that are still completely functional. | | | | would go with a multi-purpose laptop, so you can get |
| The price on computer peripherals drops dramatically | | | | portability while still be able to run all modern |
| after a couple months on the market, and by using | | | | software programs. However, if you already have a |
| hardware that is only a year or so old, netbook | | | | computer and are looking for a more convenient |
| makers can easily push their prices to the sub-$300 | | | | option when on-the-go, netbooks perform admirably |
| sweet spot. | | | | for niche functions like Internet browsing and word |
| Drawbacks of Netbooks | | | | processing. |