Netbooks have accumulated a large following in the electronics industry. Simply put, they are cheap and portable, qualities that many consumers are interested in. In 2008, over 14 million netbooks were sold, proving the potential of the netbook as a marketable product. At the CES that took place last week, there wasn’t a single major company that that did not debut a netbook, most likely due to its incredible popularity. The major netbooks that were introduced include: HP’s Mini Mii, Asus’s S121 (which comes with a 512 MB hard drive), and Sony’s Pocket P.
Some consumers could be quick to doubt the potential of small, low-powered computers, which is completely understandable. After attending the CES, we put together five reasons why you should consider using a netbook, and most importantly, what it can be used for.
1. Netbooks claim that they are portable and cheap: It’s the Truth
Although traditional laptop prices have decreased over the years, the truth is that a netbook is still a lot cheaper. For only a few hundred dollars, you can buy a highly portable computer that can only enhance your current computer setup. If the netbook ceases to function, you can replace it without emptying your entire wallet.
In terms of traveling, netbook users need not deal with special luggage or accessories that are used along with regular laptops. Netbooks are portable enough to be carried in handbags, backpacks, and purses without much fuss.
It is highly unlikely that you will need to use the netbook for any long-term work, especially when you have a laptop. Therefore, there is little need to worry over battery life. A fully charged netbook will probably last you an entire meeting or school day.
Finally, netbooks are known to have a “cute” look, as embarrassing as that sounds. Netbooks seem to appeal to not only those in the business sector, but also to the general population. Its ownership appeal attracts even soccer moms and grandparents. Anyone who is looking for a sleek, portable computer will thoroughly enjoy a netbook.
2. Netbooks can connect to a variety of sources
Like a laptop, a netbook can connect to a number of secondary devices by means of an Ethernet connection or standard USB. Essentially, you can dock your netbook at your home to use as a supplementary system. Netbooks are indeed bound by technological limitations such as processor speed, but in the office, the netbook has the capability to fulfill its full potential.
If you are bothered by the small screen, simply use a bigger one. Most netbooks can easily drive an external monitor, thus providing a better resolution. Also, you can construct an expanded desktop that spans across the internal monitor and the external monitor – resulting in larger workspace.
If you prefer a larger keyboard, you can opt for a full-sized external USB keyboard and mouse, in place of the netbook’s built-in keyboard. You don’t have to settle for a lesser typing experience when you’re on a desk. If you would like more disk space, then connect to an external hard drive, which is readily available at reasonable prices. Also, it is possible to connect the netbook to your main computer in order to share printers, scanners, and miscellaneous resources. As you can see, netbook users have access to a variety of ways to enhance their netbook experience. With just a few steps, a netbook can be as useful as a traditional desktop!
3. Netbooks are not meant to take over your primary computer
When you purchase a netbook, you need to realize that it is not meant to be your only computer. In other words, netbooks can be labeled as secondary computers. Netbooks are extremely portable for a reason – they allow consumers to travel as much as they want, with the least amount of computing hardware possible. Netbooks are equipped with specific hardware that is not dependent on what type of platform is used, thus making high portability a reality.
In addition, by means of exchange-like servers, web-hosted applications, and revolutionary syncing methods, it does not matter whether you utilize a PC, laptop, or a netbook. A netbook will no doubt provide the most flexibility at the workplace. For example, it would especially prove to be useful for minor computing tasks during meetings. Netbooks are the midway option between a smart phone and laptop – it’s more advanced than a smartphone, but not as overwhelming as a laptop. A netbook supplements your main laptop; it does not replace it.
4. Netbooks are on the verge of a connectivity revolution
Netbooks are likely to make way for new technology relating to built-in connectivity, although it is still in the early stages. Some netbooks come with 3G modems that are already built in to the netbook. Most of these models are available outside of the U.S. Additionally, these connectivity plans are quite expensive, which would interfere with the relatively cheap prices of netbooks.
In the United States, the Aspire One netbook is offered for $99 at Radio Shack. However, the $99 deal must also include a 3G data contract that costs $60 a month. A two-year contract would mean a total price of $1540, including the actual hardware. On the other hand, the iPhone offers a more reasonable option at $70 a month for a voice package and 3G data ($60 a month for a grandfathered plan). The offer made by Radio Shack is the beginning of a new realm of netbook connectivity. In time, it is likely that this business will become huge, if handled in the right way.
Currently, most netbooks users connect to the internet by means of tethering (connecting to a smart phone’s internet), instead of purchasing an actual netbook data plan. The act of tethering is not exactly legal, since most phone contracts and conditions do not specifically list tethering as being appropriate. Also, tethering requires the usage of two devices, which is quite inconvenient. One would have to take into account the battery usage on both devices. Tethering causes the phone’s battery to drain even faster than usual, which also poses another inconvenience.
As mentioned before, the netbook’s main advantage is its superior portability. In time, advanced built-in connectivity will enable netbook users to use their systems practically anywhere, thanks to the flexibility of network-based applications. Users will be able to use the internet in the car or at any location that offers WiFi. If this were all to come true, it would truly be revolutionary.
5. Netbooks have sufficient power for their purposes
Laptops are meant to handle applications or programs that require a lot of power, but without much trouble. However, netbooks are forced to compromise certain aspects of a traditional laptop in order to achieve their level of portability. For instance, the chips aren’t as fast, the screens are relatively small, and the keyboards can feel cramped at times. Therefore, when considering a netbook, you need to think about it in the context of what it is going to be used for – web surfing, sending email, chatting, and using basic multimedia.
Netbooks fulfill these basic tasks at a satisfying level, much more than any smart phone that is out on the market today. Even the smallest available netbook has a keyboard that is more comfortable and efficient than that of a smart phone. Even the ones with pull-out keyboards cannot compete with a netbook. The same applies to screens. Even the best of smart phones have very limited screen space, about a quarter of the size of the average netbook. As for performance, netbooks generally utilize the Intel Atom processor, which is more than enough to handle basic computing tasks.