In response to consumer demands for increased portability and specialization in the laptop sector, the market for Netbooks has emerged virtually overnight. In comparison to their larger cousins, Netbooks are lightweight and low cost, have increased battery endurance, and are designed for users who are primarily interested in a device that is optimized for Internet applications: emailing, web-surfing, and communicating while on the go. If the majority of your computer activity is confined to the Internet, a Netbook will provide you with all the functionality you will need at a fraction of the price of a laptop or desktop computer.

Contents

• Netbook Advantages
• What to Look for in a Netbook
• Popular Netbook Brands

Netbook Advantages

Compact & Lightweight: Netbook portability is the most important consideration in luring consumers away from larger computers. As laptops have trended toward bigger and heavier, Netbooks have become the model of choice for business people with heavy travel schedules, students who walk or bike between classes, and even children who cannot lug around a heavy laptop. The smallest Netbooks are the size of a textbook, and even the larger models are still only a fraction of the size and weight of a laptop.

Affordable Price: Netbooks are a bargain compared to larger computers. By focusing on Internet applications, Netbooks eliminate the need for costly add-ons and support features, which brings their price down dramatically. Prices range from $275 to $800, but the majority of models retail for $350 to $450.

Extended Battery Endurance: The reduced amount of hardware means Netbooks are much more energy efficient than laptops and their batteries last much longer, an important convenience for many consumers. Battery life in excess of eight hours is common, and Netbooks are quick to recharge as well.

What to Look for in a Netbook

Screen Size: The reduced screen size is the most immediately notable difference for users new to Netbooks. Screens may range from 8" to 12.1", but most are in the 10-11" range.

CPU Speed: Netbook CPU speeds compare very favorably to laptops, although performance of 2.0GHz is rare. Bargain models typically operate at 1.33GHz, while pricier models offer greater speed, 1.60GHz and higher.

Hard Drive: There is a wide range of hard drive sizes available. At the low end are models that feature 60GB hard drives; 160GB is much more common (and may in fact be considered standard), while more robust platforms offer 250GB and more.

Expansion/Connectivity: Netbooks are increasingly expandable, to allow for more flexibility and adaptability in their uses. At least one USB port is standard (two or more is quite common), as well as audio and video ports.

Popular Netbook Brands

Acer has become synonymous with the Netbook market, and their models often lead the class in being small and lightweight with no compromise in speed and memory. Lenovo (manufactured by IBM) is another market leader, and they have proven noteworthy for their performance and durability. Sony, with their Vaio brand, has cornered the market on higher-end, more expensive models, while Toshiba has focused on mid-market, 'jack-of-all-trades' platforms.

As the market for Netbooks expands, and consumer demands evolve, newer models are breaking with tradition to offer increased flexibility with only a minor sacrifice in portability and battery life. Several medium-sized models that incorporate additional features (optical disk drive, larger screen, camera/microphone, robust sound & graphics cards, etc.) have recently been introduced. The selection of Netbooks to choose from will soon offer a model that appeals to everyone.