Netbooks

That was no typo. I am talking about netbooks, a new kind of notebooks aka laptop computers. These are sometimes called mini notebooks or subnotebooks. The term is used to describe a category of small-sized, low-cost, light weight, lean function laptops optimized for Internet access and core computing functions like checking your mail and using office suite applications. These machines typically sport a small screen ranging from 7” to 10” (most common is the 8.9”), full fledged keyboard and touchpad albeit slightly smaller than their big sized counterparts and cost anywhere between $ 250 and $600. They run light and quick operating systems like Windows Xp and Ubuntu. So essentially they come with everything the laptops do but in smaller and considerably lighter packages. Most netbooks weigh between 0.8 to 1.3 kg.

Many thought they were a passing phase, as the consumer always demanded more power and speed even if he did not really need it. But netbooks proved the pundits wrong. Today’s computer buyer seems to understand his needs and buy the most appropriate machine. They work as most of us don’t run applications which need fancy graphics cards and top of the line processors. Laptops have recently replaced desktop as the preferred hardware to work on and as per the latest sales figures from Amazon 9 out of the 10 leading “laptops” are netbooks. (16 out of the top 20). A major reason for this success is the use of Atom processor from Intel in most of the netbooks. This 1.6 Ghz processor is extremely energy efficient and well powered for a netbook’s needs.

It all started with the ASUS EEE pc which was cute and cheap and people who bought it could get some work done wherever they went without feeling the extra burden. They are much better than the excuses for media devices and internet capable phones where the experience of watching a movie or browsing the web is far from convenient. You can also copy those pictures from your filled to the brim memory card of the digital camera on a long vacation. However the netbooks like all things in life have a downside too. Compared to laptops and for obvious reasons they run out of battery soon, are cramped and sometimes the screen can be too small for your liking.

Netbooks are becoming more popular everyday due to their affordability and practicality which is more suited to the emerging markets in the developing nations. And the rapidly increasing market shares of netbook have prompted every major manufacturer to enter the fray. ASUS Eee PC, Acer Aspire One, Dell Inspiron Mini 9, OLPC XO-1, MSI Wind PC are the top selling models as of now.