Desktop computers when they first appeared on the scene revolutionized the way we work and then laptops made their appearance making desktop computers almost obsolete. Now, another revolution is on the way with ultra-sleek netbook computers that have made hitherto convenient portable laptops seem cumbersome. However, it is not enough to jump on the bandwagon and buy any netbook, but certain points should be considered when making the purchase.
The first and most important point to consider is your computing needs. You need to be sure of what you are going to use your netbook for and then decide whether the work required is suitable for a netbook or not. Checking your email, surfing the Internet, or writing Word or Office documents can all be handled easily with a netbook. But, things like heavy video editing or graphics application that require quite a few resources may not be possible with a netbook.
Ideally, a netbook should be purchased by someone who is very interested in web browsing and not much else, as it is designed specifically to handle intensive email and web browsing. It runs on Windows XP or Linux operating system and is not designed to handle large data storage or 3D games or Photoshop.
Although netbooks are ultra-lightweight and very easy to transport, their size and weight still deserve some consideration. They come in different sizes and although they are small, the power adapters of some can be very large and heavy. The weight and size of the battery should also be checked.
Some of the important features that you need to consider when buying a netbook for your comfort are optical drive, possible upgrade, mouse design, etc. Many netbooks do not yet come equipped with an optical drive and you may need to purchase an external drive. You should also consider whether the hard drive and RAM on that particular netbook can be upgraded without a problem. Sometimes updates void the warranty. Therefore, be very sure of this angle when buying a netbook.
Another important feature is the size of the keyboard. It is natural that a small device such as a netbook cannot have a large keyboard and you must be sure that you will not have problems typing on a small keyboard. The position and layout of the mouse and trackpad should also be considered, as these two factors alone can make or break your netbook experience.
Although netbooks are very affordable and have been very successful in the market with manufacturers taking advantage of lucrative deals, their limited use should give you some pause. It’s fine for some portable browsing, but for long-term use or large data storage, a laptop is still the best option. While a netbook offers more intense web browsing than a smartphone, it is still shorter than a regular laptop which has a larger battery capacity. This limitation allows for only 30-45 minutes of netbook use, which is less than most flat-outs.
The netbook’s price tag may make it hard to resist, but its value can only be gained through use. If the netbook is not used most of the time because it cannot handle your work, despite the excellent price, the device will become useless and not even worth the affordable price. That said, if you’re the type that has to have the latest device, regardless of its suitability for your requirements, then a netbook is perfect for you!