The size of computers keeps coming down every year. From massive mainframes that occupied whole warehouses, we now have computers tiny enough to fit in the palm of our hands, while still providing exceptional power.
The latest trend in computers has been the growing popularity of netbooks. These are lightweight notebooks that are built specifically for surfing the internet. Since most of us spend 90% of our time on the internet, using web apps like Facebook or Gmail instead of software that runs on the computer itself, netbooks become a very cost-effective solution to fulfilling the requirements of the computer user of today.
Netbooks tend to be somewhat underpowered when compared with notebooks. On the other hand, because of this, they also happen to be a whole lot cheaper than comparable notebooks. Therefore, if power is not a concern to you, a netbook would be a very viable choice.
The Intel Atom CPU was designed specifically for netbooks. Its small size, compact design, and low power consumption makes it ideal for use inside these scaled down laptops. But don't let the "small" or "atom" tag fool you; the atom cpu can provide enough juice to run your machine at a healthy speed without draining your batteries.
When it comes to picking a netbook, choose one that has a smaller screen than that of a regular laptop. The ideal screen size would vary from person to person, but a 9" to 12" screen would be ideal. Some would say that 9" is just too small for comfortable use, while others might love the compactness that the small screen offers. So choose one that you are comfortable with. Use it at the store for a few minutes, try writing out an email, opening a few apps, etc. on it to see if your eyes can adjust to the small screen size.
Among other things, the Intel Atom CPU is great at reducing power consumption. The processor is one of the most power draining components of a computer, and a processor like the Atom CPU helps reduce this usage. This helps manufacturers to use a lighter, smaller battery, which eventually means a lighter netbook for you. You shouldn't buy any netbook if it weighs over 2kg. Doing so would go against the very idea of a netbook.
When it comes to price, netbooks tend to blow the competition out of the water. Because of the smaller size, cheaper components with lower power, netbooks can be a whole lot cheaper than regular notebooks. The processor most used in netbooks is the Atom CPU, and it is a whole lot cheaper than more powerful processors such as the Core 2 Duo, helping bring down the price of the entire machine down.
The most important thing before you purchase a netbook is to do your research properly. Take the time to use the machine at your local computer store (request a demo if they don't have one) and get something that fulfils your needs while still leaving room for a little bit extra.
