I am hearing a lot of interest these days in Netbooks. Understandable, as they are small, light, and usually pretty cheap. This ultra-portability does come at a price, however, even if it’s not always calculable in real dollars and cents. Before you plop down your hard-earned cash for one there are a few things to consider.
Screen Size
Sure, it may fit in a purse (or murse…I don’t want to leave anybody out), but if it gives you a migraine when you sit down to use it, what’s the point? Go to your local PC emporium of choice and spend some time working on one. Check out the screen size and make sure you can look at it for an extended period without straining your eyes. While you can adjust the resolution to make things bigger, you will not be able to fit nearly as much on the screen and it will likely be cumbersome to navigate in and out of applications.
Productivity
Take time to consider what you will really use it for. Whether it’s an email or an essay, typing on a Netbook is a different experience than on a standard keyboard. Many of the smaller models cram often used keys into half the space, if not relocating them all together. I find I’m much more apt to make typos then I’d like, often inadvertently striking two keys simultaneously. I have to type more slowly and spend more time proofreading than I normally do.
Computing Power
Netbooks are built for portability. They have less memory and smaller hard drives (unless you opt for a larger solid state drive, which can quickly increase the cost). If you’re planning on installing many applications and storing lots of photos and documents, it is likely not the best solution for you.
Don’t get me wrong, Netbooks have their place. I use mine frequently. It is, however, important to consider these factors before deciding to choose one over a standard laptop. Bottom line is – try before you buy or you could end up with a $400 paper weight.