Netbooks Versus Laptops – What You Need to Know Before You Buy, Pros and Cons
Netbooks – What you need to know before you buy Comparing laptops and notebooks, pros and cons
Are the days of the Laptop numbered?
As the world becomes a smaller place, the Internet grows ever larger and more resourceful. Today, we cannot survive without the Internet at our disposal for a very long time. Hence, vast arrays of handheld solutions which promise Internet access are available. While all of them have their uses, Internet on handheld devices is hardly as rich and resourceful as that on a full-fledged PC. Mobile browsers come with limited support, especially for features like embedded video and animation, thus leaving your web experience half-baked. In today’s age of extensive mobility, even the much vaulted laptop looks like a lumbering giant. The solution? Enter the Netbook world.
As of today, Netbooks are little more than ultraportable laptops. As the name suggests, it is best suited for surfing the net on the go along with other lightweight allied tasks. It is not fundamentally designed to be a multimedia center or an office workstation and most Netbooks reflect that.
Screen size for Netbooks is generally 8-9 inches. Screen resolution varies according to make and model and is available up to a respectable 1024×600. While the smaller form factor has definite portability advantages, the smaller keyboard and touchpad area can be a real pain for people with large hands. Connectivity in Netbooks is paramount and hence it generally comes with a whole array of USB connectors, an Ethernet connection and the latest available wireless technology. External display devices maybe supported through DVI/S-Video. Optical drives are optionally available.
Under the hood, the processor for Netbooks needs to be a frugal drinker of electricity. As of today, three different platforms are available. The reliable but ageing VIA C7D (HP 2133 miniNote), the popular Intel Atom processor, and the mixed-bag options offered by AMD (Sempron 2100+, Turion64 or the puny Geode LX800). Memory typically comes in the 512MB-2GB range. Storage may be in the form of a SSD (solid state drive) or a simple hard drive. While SSD’s are faster, compact and consume less power, they also add a lot to the price tag of Netbooks. As a compromise, some vendors ship their units with a limited capacity (2-4 GB) flash memory which usually contains the operating system, and a standard hard drive for storage.
In terms of software on your Netbook, you can go for Windows XP or Linux. Linux distributions like Ubuntu 8.10 are an excellent choice as they work very well out of the box. Windows Vista performance is generally poor as they require more power.
A checklist while getting Netbooks can be as follows:-
• Power efficiency- The Atom offers the best bet, but the 945 chipset it ships with is old. The newer US15 chipset is expected to be out soon. Keep a lookout
• Memory- 512MB maybe adequate but you are better off with 1GB+
• Video – Look out for the upcoming Ion(Atom+ GeForce 9400) platform for NVidia with HD Playback capabilities
• Hard Drive -SSD’s offer performance and efficiency at higher prices
• Price- can be bought within $500 in general
Most major brands like Dell, HP, Compaq and Acer have Netbooks in their lineup. The ASUS Eee Pc, the first one launched, is also a decent choice. What you have to decide is whether you actually need a Netbook. While it offers portability, a rich web experience and lightweight computing capabilities, it is not really a replacement for a laptop or a phone and in general have failed to find a market niche till date.
About the Author
For more similar articles, visit http://www.bestlaptopsreviews.com, and read about Laptop and notebook reviews and ratings,
most popular laptops
, industry news, forums.
Upgrading the HP Mini 1000 RAM from 1GB to 2GB Is A Snap
|
|
8GB (4GBx2) Team High Performance Memory RAM Upgrade For HP – Compaq Pavilion dv7-1098eo dv7- 1100ef dv7-1100eg dv7-1100em Laptop. The Memory Kit comes with Life Time Warranty. $228.87 … |
|
|
ASUS Lamborghini VX6-PU17-WT 12.1-Inch Eee PC Netbook (White) $529.99 Driven by Style, Wrapped in PrestigeInspired by the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 roadster, the ASUS-AUTOMOBILI Lamborghini Eee PC VX6 epitomizes elegance and power fused in perfect harmony. Clad in either shiny piano black or pearlescent white, this notebook PC contrasts and combines delicate refinement and style with sheer powerhouse performance. It spoils users with a responsive chiclet keyboar… |
|
|
Mini 5103 N455 250/2GB Gobi $479.99 The HP Mini 5103 WZ289UT Netbook offers commanding performance in an ultra-lightweight PC loaded with an Intel Atom N455 1.66GHz processor, 2GB of DDR3 1333 MHz memory (memory module operates at the maximum system supported speed of 667 MHz), a 250GB 7200RPM hard drive, and the Genuine Windows 7 Professional operating system. Weighing in at only 2.64-pounds, the HP Mini 5103 WZ289UT Netbook boasts… |
|
|
Corsair 8GB (2x 4GB) 1333mhz PC3-10666 204-pin DDR3 SODIMM Laptop Memory Kit CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9 $40.98 The Corsair PC10666 RAM is designed for current generation notebooks, mini-PCs and netbooks, Corsair’s new high density SODIMMs allow users to maximize memory bandwidth and minimize performance bottleneck to deliver superior user experience. The Corsair PC10666 RAM is Corsair’s mainstream SODIMM memory solution for DDR3 Laptops. Corsair SODIMMs are optimized for the Microsoft® Windows® Vista… |
|
|
Western Digital 320 GB Scorpio Black SATA 3 Gb/s 7200 RPM 16 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Notebook Hard Drive – WD3200BEKT $69.99 Designed with top-of-the-line notebook puters in mind this high performance drive delivers the capacity and speed needed to supercharge a notebook PC without promising battery life or quiet acoustics. Features like these also make this drive an outstanding option for pact desktops external hard drives gaming systems and blade servers.Primary InformationHard Drive Type : Internal&nb… |
|
|
Kingston 4 GB Class 4 SDHC Flash Memory Card SD4/4GBET $4.98 Kingston and Amazon.com have teamed up to offer this item in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging, a recyclable, easy-to-open alternative to traditional packaging. A Frustration-Free Package comes without excess packaging materials such as wire ties, hard plastic “clamshell” casings, and plastic bindings. It’s designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your … |
|
|
Everki Commute Laptop Sleeve with Memory Foam … |
|
|
Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Memory Foam Netbook Laptop Sleeve Slipcase – White Faux Leather $14.95 1 Year Warranty…. |
|
|
Samsung NC10-14GB 10.2-Inch Memory Foam Netbook Laptop Sleeve Slipcase – Green Faux Leather $14.95 1 Year Warranty…. |
|
|
Dell Inspiron Duo Convertible Tablet with Intel Dual Core 1.5GHz, 10.1 Multi-touch Screen with WebCam, 2GB DDR3 Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 Home Premium $599.99 Flip into action. Experience fun, engaging mobile entertainment and enjoy everyday computing with an innovative 10.1″ adjustable tablet. Switch seamlessly from tablet to laptop with the flip-hinge design. Ports, Slots & Chassis Externally Accessible (1) Microphone (1) Headphone (2) USB 2.0 (1) AC adapter connector Touch Screen Capacitive Multi-touch technology Dimensions & Weight Width: 11.22″ … |
Netbooks With 2gb Memory News