Netbooks - What's the deal?

-REPORT BY SARAH W. for NETWORK 21

Netbooks are the hottest portable-computers on the market. With their small size, light weight, and low price, these computers are big things  in small packages. Every day, more and more people are taking advantage of what today’s top computer companies (HP, Dell, Acer, Samsung, and more) have to offer in their netbooks. But is there really a difference between all of the many models available? Gunston TV is on a mission to find out.

The concept of a netbook started in the mid-1990s, but the first “mass-market” design started with the ASUS Eee PC. Unveiled in 2007, it was 8.9 x 6.5 inches, and weighed at 2 pounds. Afterwards, many other companies started designing their own netbooks, including the HP Mini and the Acer Aspire, which we will be comparing in this post.

Now, let’s look at just some general pros and cons of netbooks:

Pros

• Cheap price ranging from $300-500
• Small size makes it much more portable and travel-friendly than a laptop
• Most come with built-in Wi-Fi

Cons

• Sometimes, has no optical drive
• The more you pay for your netbook, the more you get
• Small keyboards can be uncomfortable and hard to type on
• Sometimes, can’t handle media
• Certain models have bad battery life


So, from the information we’ve gathered, it looks like the general netbook is more of a small travel computer that can be utilized for every day use. Still want to buy one? Well, it depends on which specific netbook you really want. Just to see some examples of netbooks, I will be looking at the Acer Aspire One AOD250-1580, owned by Network 21, and the HP Mini 110-1030NR, which I myself have at home.

The Acer’s features include:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
• 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM Single Channel Memory
• 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
• Windows XP Home (SP3)
• Up to 7.5 Hours of Battery Life (6-Cell 5200 mAh)
• 10.1-Inch WSVGA CrystalBrite LED Display
• Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• 2.8 pounds
• Crystal Eye webcam
• Keyboard is 89% of standard-size
• 54g Wi-Fi
• Fast Ethernet
• VGA video output
• Stereo speakers and optimized Dolby Headphone Technology
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• Multi-in-1 memory card reader compatible with MultiMediaCard, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO or xD-Picture Card
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack

The HP Mini’s features include:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor
• 1 GB DDR2 RAM (1 Dimm) (1 GB Maximum)
• 160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive
• 10.1" Diagonal SD LED Anti-glare Widescreen Display (1024x576)
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Genuine Windows XP Home (SP3),
• Up to 9 hours of a
• 2.9 pounds
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Webcam with microphone
• Bluetooth capabilities
• 3 USB 2.0 ports
• 1 headphone jack, 1 microphone jack
• VGA output
• 1 memory card reader

So, it looks like there isn’t much of a difference between netbooks, and it just depends on what you want to use your netbook for. Whichever netbook you decided to buy this year, make sure you do your research first, before automatically buying one. And as we think about the up and coming holiday season, keep in mind that a netbook can be a great gift for a student, or anyone that needs a small, inexpensive computer. For more information on netbooks, their ratings, reviews, and the two computers featured, check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook

http://www.testfreaks.com/netbooks/

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/108513

http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/04/the_pros_and_cons_of_popular_n.html

http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/399382_taves10.html

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/rts_notebook/rts_notebook/1/storefronts/VA714UA%2523ABA

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A6HVCC/ref=ox_ya_oh_product