One year ago, ASUS started a fire storm of new computers that now go by the name of netbooks with the release of their EeePC. I wrote about this subject just a few months ago, but with the holidays approaching and netbooks are high on gift giver’s radar screens so I want to explore netbooks a little more in depth.
Netbooks make attractive gift giving ideas for a few reasons:
- They are inexpensive; usually cost less than $400.
- They are extremely portable (2-3 pounds).
- They are cute.
Here are some facts you need to know about netbooks:
- Netbooks run on an Intel Atom processor that has roughly half the power of a typical laptop Intel or AMD processor.
- Netbooks utilize a very basic graphics system.
- Maximum RAM is 1 GB (very few exceptions)
- Hard drives are usually solid state flash memory ranging from 4-16GB. More expensive models have small hard drives with up 160 GB of space)
- Screens are no larger than 10″
- Keyboards are 80-90% of a typical laptop keyboard.
- They do not have CD or DVD ROMs.
- Prices range from $300-700
- Most have built-in web cams
- All have wi-fi capability and Ethernet as well
- Some models run a Linux operating system, some Windows XP, and a few attempt to run Vista.
Netbooks are in no way meant to replace a desktop computer or even a laptop. Instead, netbooks are designed to be used as a second or third computer for traveling, Internet or email access in another room of your home, light word processing or document creating/editing, making Internet phone and video calls, instant messaging, and even listening to music.
Because netbooks run on tiny batteries and less powerful processors, trying to run a large operating system like Windows XP and especially Vista is completely impractical. Windows XP with all its updates and service packs and security software requires a strong processor and a minimum of 512mb of RAM or 1 GB of RAM on a slightly older processor. Also, Windows XP, and especially Vista) require above average graphics processing to function with any oomph. Vista barely crawls on dual core processor with 1 GB of RAM and is completely useless on a netbook.
Linux, on the other hand, can be completely customized for a less powerful computer like a netbook and doesn’t need to be burdened by excessive updates and security software. This makes Linux a perfect fit for the netbook Plus, Linux laptops come pre-installed with complete office compatibility, games, multimedia software and more…all things you need to spend extra for with a Windows install plus you need to have an external CDROM to install all of these things on a netbook since it has no CDROM.
If you are in the market for a netbook for yourself or to give as gift this Christmas, by all means go for it. I love my little Asus EeePC and think they make the best travel companions and work great for getting a small amount of work or email done while watching TV or sitting outside. But know up front their purpose and don’t expect more from them. Here are my recommendations when shopping for a netbook:
- Do NOT spend more than $400.
- Get one with a Linux operating system, NOT WINDOWS.
- Make sure it has a built-in web cam. You will like having the ability to make video calls while on the road.
- Purchase a 4-16GB extra SD Card for storage, but realize that it isn’t meant to be storage machine.
If all this still makes your head swim a little, here are my top 5 netbook suggestions (in no particular order):
- Acer Aspire One – $325
- HP Mini Note- $299
- Asus EeePC 900 – $320
- Asus EeePC 1000HD – $360
- Dell Inspiron Mini 9 – $375
Again, keep in mind that netbooks are not meant to be a replacement for a desktop or a full-time laptop, but an adjunct to them for traveling and quick access to a computer. If you already own a netbook, leave a comment below sharing how you use yours and what your experience has been with it.
Related articles:
- Asus started a whole new trend
- Netbooks – What are they really designed to do and for whom?
- An unfortunate event – Linux losing to Microsoft
- New Dell Mini laptops
- Ubuntu on the road
Tags: ASUS, customize, editing, email, hard drive, holiday, Internet, laptop, laptops, linux, Mac, music, netbook, new computer, Office, Security, update, Windows, Word, word processing
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HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.
HI THERE YOU ARE RIGHT I DONT WANT THE BIG HUGE 160 GB HARD DRIVE I WANT A NETBOOOK WITH 8 16 32 64 OR 128 GB SSD I WANT TOO NOT HAVE HARD DRIVE FAILURE IF YOU NEED A LOT OF STORAGE JUST USE YOUR BIG MAIN COMPUTER
Wish I should have waited. I bought an Acer Aspire One last week.
I’m planning on use it when I travel with my job. So far it seems to work fine. It has XP which is why I bought it instead of Vista.
I’ll see how it goes.
RichC
I would love to hear what your experiences are with the Netbook. Come back in a few weeks and let us know how it is going for you and what you are using it for and how often.
Yep, those netbooks have the new solid state drives up to 64 GB. It is best to wait until the 128 GB comes out and wait for the very expensive SSD pricing to come down.
Hi guys,
Just saw a tv commercial for the following:
http://www.simplyfast.com
Supposed to speed up one’s ‘puter’. I do NOT do online things such as this. Just wondering if you’re familiar with it.
If ya like my question, please consider buying me a DP.
(I couldnt resist, only kidding *S*)
Anne, GJ
They also sell Ginsu knives after midnight…
OK, One advantage of the Windows XP netbooks. Most come with traditional hard drive of a decent size. I replaced the OS on mine with XP Pro,and set it up to multiboot between XP and Linux. Since Linux is free, why not have your cake and eat it too?
With XP, I have full blown Office, VPN, and other business critical applications.
With Linux, I have slightly better speed and access to another world of applications.
I’m doing this on one of the new Acer Aspire One 150’s with an Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive.
In closing, I would like to make a point that I have not heard regarding these netbooks. This isn’t going to replace my full blown laptop, but it WILL be with me throughout the day. (every day) It’s light enough and small enough that I can see it replacing a great deal of effort that now get’s put toward my Windows Mobile cell phone. It’s a much better fit than pocket anything. My phone can go back to being a phone.
Good explanation of the use of your Netbook. I can see where users who might need certain apps that are Windows only, it might be a good idea to have XP on it. However, you also mentioned that you plan on carrying it every day (which I do as well with my Linux EeePC ), but don’t necessarily plan on using it very single day. Again, I use it the same way…always with me, but use it only a handful of times throughout the week. Which brings to me the point of the convenience of Linux for most Netbook users…when I DO pull it out after a week or two of not using it, I’m not bombarded by Windows and security software updates. I just start it, use it, close it up and carry on with my day. If I was using Windows, I would have to wait and install countless updates to it and my security software unless I wanted to carry around a small, useless brick because of spyware and virus problems.
I understand completely. That’s what the dual boot is for. Linux is there for convenience. Windows is there for business. The thing is that most netbooks that come with Linux do not come with the larger hard drive option out of the box. Most that I have seen have been limited to fairly small solid state drives.
The point that I was making for other users was not that XP was preferred. It was mainly to go with the XP version, as that is usually the one with more storage and frequently more RAM. You could even blow away XP completely and go with Linux alone. You would still get the storage and memory advantages. If you are a Linux user and can find a Linux based netbook with 1GB RAM and 160 GB hard drive on a store shelf great. In my experience, they are more rare than the infamous white elaphant.
You sound like a very savvy computer user, but I think the beauty and the design of a netbook is that if used for email, Internet, very light document management and creation, Skype, and to view pictures on vacation, Linux is perfect. I like the 4-16 GB solid state drives for their low power use, durability, and light weight. For these purposes, the $375 and less Netbooks are ideal purchases. Add Windows, a hard drive, larger monitors (10″ and above) and keyboards and weight starts approaching 4+ pounds and cost goes up to $500 and over pretty quickly. At that point, I would spend the extra cash on getting a laptop with a better processor, DVD Super Drive, etc versus over buying on an under powered Netbook.
Does that make sense?
That makes perfect sense. I would not have paid that for my unit. I picked up my Acer Aspire 150 model with 160GB drive, 1GB RAM, and Windows XP for $349. The prices are coming down.
I like the Acer Netbook design…and certainly the price was right in your case!
It’s been a month since I bought this Acer Aspire One. You asked if I would check back in a few weeks. I hasn’t been that long but so far it works well!
I wanted it for traveling and it dose what I bought it for. That is for checking road and weather conditions, news, email and my bank. The wireless has worked very well in about half a dozen different hotels. I’m Wyoming tonight using it.
Later RichC
Glad you are enjoying it, and thanks for the update! It sounds like you are using it precisely for the reasons it was developed.
I bought acer aspire one with linux (1 G ram and 120 GB HDD) one month ago. After used it for 2 weeks, I wipped out linux and installed nlited windows xp sp3. It runs fast and smooth. There is no point to install full version of XP in a netbook. After I nlited xp, the installation file reduced to half. Removed all drivers in xp source file and stopped half of services, and also removed a lot of useless components, windows xp sp3 can run very well in a netbook. There is a lot information in the net about how to do it.
how about anti-virus, anti-spyware, etc? I can see where stripping out some of XP would help, but I still believe Windows and Netbooks are not made for each other. Especially for the casual user of a Netbook. Since many people get them for travel or occasional use, having to wait for the long boot up process only to be faced with tons of update downloads from Microsoft, AV and other security software takes the speed and elegance out of owning the device.
I am using Kaspersky internet security 7. Nlited Winxp boots up as fast as it does in desktop (or even faster, it may be because nlited xp has much less services running in the backgroud, or nlited xp is just less bulky.) As for spyware, I installed webroot spysweeper 6, but I do not run it in the background. I just manually scan HDD from time to time. Kaspersky internet security itself also prevents installation of spyware.
As for tons of MS updates, you always can intergrate MS service pack and all post service pack updates to winxp source file using nlite. In this case, after xp installation, you will not have too many MS updates to download.
I hope your netbook stays clean and fast for you.