One of the hottest trends in computing over the last several years has been the use of netbooks. These small, lightweight, portable versions of the now familiar laptop have captured the imaginations – and wallets – of many people who appreciate the availability of a less expensive portable computer. The netbook is still a new enough phenomenon, however, to be an unknown quantity for a large segment of the population. It is not difficult to understand what a Netbook is, though; you simply need to recognize a few of its key features.
The specifications
The first thing most people notice when they see their first netbook is the relatively small size. The average netbook today can vary in size from less than nine inches to slightly over twelve inches – much smaller than the average laptop with its sixteen inch screen! While not as powerful as their larger counterparts, netbooks still come equipped with enough processing speed and hard drive storage to perform many of the most common tasks needed by computer users. The processors are generally low voltage single core (Intel Atom or Via). Most new netbooks come with Intel Atom N series processor, at least 1 GB of RAM, a 160GB or 250 GB hard drive, 6-cell Li-ion Battery, 8 hours (up to 14 hours) of battery life and along with Windows 7 operating system. Additionally, netbooks generally come with a built-in webcam, Wi-Fi, card reader, and USB ports. Some even have extra features such as Bluetooth, 3G, GPS, etc.
Why small matters
This economy of size and features has a number of advantages. First of all, the average netbook weighs a mere three pounds or less. When compared to typical laptops that weigh anywhere from five to ten or more pounds, it is easy to see why so many people get excited about the ultra-light netbook. The one constant criticism about laptops over the years had focused on their size and weight. Many were considered by consumers to be too bulky to be comfortably portable. Netbooks solve this problem by being exceptionally light, and small enough to be used almost anywhere. One of the most pressing needs netbook users faced in the early years of these units had to do with the relatively small size of the keyboards. Even that has been solved by some manufacturers who now ensure that the netbook keyboards are nearly the same size as a standard laptop.
Applications
The only drawback to a netbook is that its smaller hard drive and memory, as well as the slower processor speed, make it less useful for the wide variety of complex applications some users need. However, netbooks are more than capable of providing a platform for document creation and editing, management of email, and internet browsing. Because these three tasks are among the most commonly performed actions users perform, the netbook is now considered the perfect tool for the computer user on the go.
The bottom line is that netbooks are here to stay, and likely to become ever smaller and more economical. Already among the most inexpensive of computer tools – with prices below $500 in many cases, the netbook share of the computer market will certainly only grow over time. It’s no wonder that these portable computing units have been among the top selling electronic items over the last couple of years.
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