EmailWhether they are called netbooks, mini laptops, mini notebooks, subnotebooks, kneetops, laptots or something else just as colorful and descriptive, there's no denying the near-meteoric rise and popularity of small, cheap laptops, some of which cost less than $300.
A quick survey reveals just how widely these computers vary in capabilities -- some are nearly as competent as more expensive mainstream laptops, while others are fairly limited, mainly useful for beginning computer users interested primarily in connecting to the Internet and the most basic of functions. Still, there are a few basic must-haves. Minimum requirements include Internet connectivity, a web browser and an application for note-taking or word processing. Some type of storage is provided; many mini laptops have traditional hard drives (usually 160 GB), but some only have small solid-state drives (16 GB or less) and require users to utilize either external storage devices or online file-storage services. Screen sizes in this price range are generally 10.1 inches or less, though a few netbooks with larger screens are available.
Netbooks exact some compromises to achieve their small size, light weight and low price. Experts say those compromises, as well as these factors, should all be considered when picking a mini laptop:
- Battery size is crucial. Smaller batteries may keep the unit lighter and easier to carry, but larger batteries can considerably extend your ability to use your netbook when you're away from an electrical outlet. Three-cell and six-cell batteries are most common.
- Different operating systems offer different capabilities. Most mini laptops now use a Windows-based OS (usually XP Home), but some also offer Linux as an option. Linux is simple and streamlined, and the best implementations are easy to use. However, many familiar programs won't run under Linux, and you might have trouble adding games or programs that aren't Linux-compatible. All versions of Windows 7 are expected to run on netbooks -- not just stripped down Starter or Home Basic editions. However, initial tests show that Windows 7 may run a touch slower than XP on a typical netbook.
- Look at onboard storage and RAM. Products with limited onboard storage space may require peripheral devices such as SD cards or a subscription (free or paid) to an online file storage service. Netbooks with smaller amounts of RAM may run more sluggishly than those with more memory, especially when running more than one program at a time.
- Check out displays and keyboards before buying. While smaller mini laptops tend to be more portable, they're not always as functional. Some users find that tiny keyboards and screens can cause too much strain and frustration to make up for the decrease in price and bulk.
No netbook for Apple?
Apple has denied rumors that it is developing a netbook in the past. Now there's speculation it will launch a touch-sensitive tablet computer instead. Taiwan Economic News reported in September 2009 that three firms have won contracts to supply parts for the tablet, citing unnamed "industry sources" that Apple would launch the tablet in February 2010 for $800 to $1,000. Fortune magazine blogger Philip Elmer-DeWitt finds some credence in the report, and he notes that the rumored specs would link the Apple tablet to AT&T's 3G network -- not Verizon's. Touch-screen and tablet laptops are discussed more fully in our report on