| What to Consider When Buying a Netbook | | | | One thing that may be mystifying to new buyers |
| Computer | | | | is the variety of disk storage options that are |
| Netbooks are the new wave in mobile computing. | | | | available. Many netbooks use traditional hard drives |
| First-time buyers are likely to be attracted to | | | | (abbreviated HD), which offer greater storage |
| these small laptops because of their attractive | | | | capacity at reduced cost. If you need more than |
| price tags, while power users appreciate them | | | | 10 gigabytes (gb) of space to store your |
| because they are lighter than regular notebooks | | | | everyday files, a hard drive will probably be the |
| but still have full keyboards. Because netbooks are | | | | way to go. Unfortunately, hard drives tend to |
| fairly popular, a great many new models have | | | | weigh a bit more and, because they have moving |
| been released in the past few years, making it | | | | parts, can break more easily when dropped or |
| more difficult to decide which one is right for you. | | | | bumped around. The lighter alternative is internal |
| On top of that, traditional laptops are still an option | | | | flash memory, referred to as a "solid-state drive" |
| that shouldn't be ignored. If you're after a | | | | or SSD. SSDs tend to be between 4 and 8 |
| multimedia experience, for example, a 17 inch | | | | gigabytes, with higher capacities costing |
| laptop is going to provide a hands-down better | | | | significantly more. Four gigabytes tends to be |
| picture than a netbook with a 7 inch screen. | | | | enough for most users, even though conventional |
| Probably the most important factor you'll be | | | | desktop computers offer more storage. You will |
| considering when looking for netbook or laptop will | | | | reach the limit very quickly, however, if you want |
| be price. On the low end of the spectrum, you | | | | to store a lot of music and video content.The |
| can find several models with modest memory, | | | | advantages of this SSD technology include |
| disk space, and power for around $300. More | | | | somewhat increased access speed, and the |
| pricey sub notebooks can cost as much if not | | | | reliability that comes with having no mechanical |
| more than a full-sized laptop, but provide more | | | | parts to break. Flash drives are limited by the |
| power without sacrificing portability. The price you | | | | number of read-write cycles the can undergo. |
| need to spend on your netbook will depend on | | | | After a few years of regular use, these drives will |
| your needs. Web surfing, word-processing, and | | | | slow down and eventually fail predictably. Hard |
| other simple tasks can be performed admirably | | | | drives, on the other hand, can last for years or |
| by the less expensive machines, but for more | | | | fail within the first month. |
| hard-core gaming, running windows vista, and | | | | RAM, or random access memory, is used to |
| giving business presentations you will want a | | | | store information in the computer about running |
| higher-end model. These distinctions aren't always | | | | programs. Running out of RAM can cause your |
| as simple as price, however, because some of | | | | computer to run at decreased performance. Very |
| the more expensive netbooks don't offer enough | | | | cheap netbooks can have as little as 64mb |
| added value to justify their inflated prices. To get | | | | (megabytes) of memory, which is too small to |
| a good deal, you need to look at the whole | | | | run almost any useful kind of program. Most, |
| package including size, weight, disk storage, | | | | however, offer something between 512mb and 1 |
| onboard RAM, battery life, and extra features. | | | | gigabyte of RAM. Again, what you will need |
| If you're buying your sub-notebook online, it can | | | | depends on what you plan to use your netbook |
| be difficult to judge what size computer will arrive | | | | for. For most tasks, 512mb is more than enough |
| once you order. Keep in mind that a seven inch | | | | (you might even get by on 256mb), but if you |
| model likely has a seven inch screen, but may be | | | | tend to run a lot of programs at the same time, |
| more like 10 inches long. These models can easily | | | | you should think about getting more memory. |
| fit into a small messenger bag or a handbag, while | | | | Most models will allow you to add memory later if |
| larger models approach the size of a full sized | | | | you need it, which can extend the useful life of |
| laptop and will not. Netbooks generally weigh very | | | | your computer. |
| little, which makes carrying them around easy, but | | | | Battery life is a sometimes forgotten, but very |
| if you want an ultra-light model you should | | | | important consideration. Chances are, you will be |
| compare the different weights. Keep in mind that, | | | | carrying your netbook around with you and won't |
| if you later buy a larger battery or other | | | | have opportunities to charge it throughout the |
| accessories, the weight of your computer will | | | | day. Battery capacity is measured in milliamperes |
| increase. Machines with more features will likely be | | | | per hour (MaH), but it is much easier to simply |
| heavier, so you will need to consider this before | | | | search for reviews of your product and find an |
| making a purchase. | | | | estimate of battery life in hours. You can almost |
| To be sure of what you are buying, you will want | | | | always buy a larger battery later on if you need |
| begin your search with a little bit of technical | | | | one, but it is still good to check. Two hours is the |
| knowledge. First, you are faced with a choice of | | | | absolute bare minimum time a battery should |
| operating systems. The most popular system | | | | provide, but more is an added bonus. If you're not |
| today is Microsoft Windows, which you are | | | | ready to spring for an expensive battery, you |
| probably using to read this article. Most netbooks | | | | can also increase the runtime by turning down the |
| can only run Windows XP, so if you are looking to | | | | volume and screen brightness once you get your |
| use the new Vista operating system you will have | | | | new computer. |
| a tougher time finding options, especially on the | | | | Most netbooks offer extra features of one type |
| low end. Keep in mind that Windows costs | | | | or another. Asus, for example, sells models of |
| money, even when it is bundled with your new | | | | their Eee PC computers with and without |
| computer, meaning that windows computers will | | | | webcams. If you need a webcam from Asus, be |
| cost about $40 more. The popular alternatives to | | | | prepared to pay a little bit more. Other special |
| Windows are various distributions of the free and | | | | features include the ability to flip the screen and |
| user-friendly Linux operating system. Linux comes | | | | use the netbook as a tablet, and included |
| pre-installed on many netbooks as an option, | | | | bluetooth or extra-fast wireless cards. If these |
| costs nothing, and allows you to surf the web and | | | | terms don't mean anything to you, don't worry |
| do everyday work in the same way that | | | | because you probably don't need these features. |
| Windows does. Most Linux software is free and | | | | Sometimes it is possible to add more to your |
| the system tends to run faster on most | | | | laptop later for a little extra cost as well. |
| hardware. This is why, among other reasons, | | | | If you've used these criteria to narrow down |
| major corporations tend to use Linux to run | | | | your netbook choices, your final task is to check |
| websites and other large-scale projects. The main | | | | the selection of small laptop computers and make |
| disadvantage is that, while it is possible to run | | | | sure your requirements are met with your |
| Windows software in Linux, popular games will | | | | desired model before you buy it. There is nothing |
| probably not work very well if they work at all. | | | | more disappointing than paying for something that |
| Netbooks tend not to be ideal gaming platforms in | | | | is far below your expectations, so shop wisely. In |
| general, however, so Linux has found a good | | | | today's tech market, you can never be too |
| niche in this market. | | | | careful with your money. |