A Laptop Alternative: Netbooks

By Matthew Kerridge

Relatively new computer devices emerging in late 2007, early 2008, netbooks are storming markets with attractive pricing, competing with their laptop and notebook forefathers. Used mainly to surf the web and perform small computer functions, consumers now have the option to have a dulled down laptop that will meet their computing needs at a fraction of the cost.

Utilizing the Internet to perform the majority of computing needs such as spreadsheets, word processing, storage, presentations, and a multitude of applications, netbooks utilize the Internet as their primary function. The majority of netbooks infrequently exceed 250 GB of storage, which has increased from the previous average of 160 GB. Some netbooks even offer solid-state drives for storage that range from 8 GB to 32 GB, but are smaller, shock-resistant, and faster as they are not disk shaped, but are actually a series of tiny chips like a USB drive.

As storage space remains predominantly low on netbooks, so does memory and processing speeds. Processors are, on average, at about 1.6 GHz. Additionally, a traditional netbook provides about 1 GB of memory, while 512 MB is not uncommon. After all, these machines are not designed to run much more than an Internet browser, which ultimately keeps cost down.

Consumers that are seeking these cost-effective computers thinking they are just getting a miniature laptop may be in for a surprise. Users of netbooks will not find any optical drive on netbooks, as not only is there no room in a 7" to 10" sized machine, but it also defeats the "gateway to the internet" philosophy. Netbooks, however, do come equipped with USB ports for external hard drives or USB drives.

When manufacturers began developing netbooks, they tried to keep their computing power and features to a minimum, to also keep pricing low. The reason behind this tactic was also make sure that sales of more expensive and profitable laptops and notebooks were not compromised. Unfortunately, this marketing idea began to decline in effectiveness, as laptops and notebooks sales declines with the introduction of netbook alternatives. Currently, companies are now going to be meeting consumer demand by beginning to add features and power to these netbook products.

Microsoft and Intel have joined the netbook bandwagon as well, offering less expensive products to fit the netbook philosophy. Microsoft has claimed that their minimized version of Windows XP has fulfilled 96% of netbook users' operating system needs. Conversely, Linux, who was originally the predominate operating system supplier for netbooks, fills the remaining 4 to 5%. Intel has introduced a line of processors entitled Atom that have about half the power of their Celeron line, but are much smaller and use less energy. Overall, these original equipment manufacturers have noticed the netbook trend and have adapted to the minimalistic computer culture.

Priced, on average, around $300, netbooks are not only revolutionizing the computer industry, but are also allowing consumers who never owned a computer to be able to afford one. Netbooks offer a gateway to online computing, reducing the purchase cost with dulled features compared to laptop alternatives. - 31403

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