A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Netbook

Your Guide to buying the best Netbooks

Overview

Netbooks are the perfect choice for anyone who needs a lightweight, portable computing device. Not only are they more affordable than traditional laptops, but they offer plenty of features that make them ideal for everyday use. This buying guide provides an in-depth look at what to consider when purchasing a netbook, including hardware specifications, features, and price points. Whether you’re looking for a machine for work, school, or travel, this guide will help you find the right netbook for your needs.

Key features

  1. Price & Hardware: What is the budget for a Netbook? What kind of hardware is needed to meet the user's requirements?
  2. Display: What size and resolution of display does the user need? Do they need a touchscreen or other specialty display?
  3. Weight and Portability: How portable does the Netbook need to be for the user? How much weight is the user willing to carry?
  4. Battery Life: How long of a battery life does the user need for their desired activities?
  5. Memory and Storage: How much RAM and storage does the user need? Do they need an SSD for additional speed and reliability?
  6. Connectivity: Does the user need Wi-Fi or Bluetooth? Does the user need additional ports or features like a webcam?
  7. Software: What type of operating system and software does the user need? Does the Netbook come with pre-installed software or will the user need to purchase additional software?

See the most popular Netbooks on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Portability - Netbooks are small and lightweight, making them easy to carry around and perfect for those who are always on the go.
  • Affordability - Netbooks are typically much less expensive than traditional laptops, making them great options for budget-minded shoppers.
  • Battery Life - Netbooks often boast long battery life, so you can use them for extended periods of time without needing to recharge.
  • Performance - Netbooks are designed to be powerful enough for most basic tasks, like web browsing, word processing, and streaming video.
  • Accessibility - Netbooks are relatively easy to use, and some models come with simplified operating systems designed specifically for beginners.

Cons

  • Price - Netbooks are typically less expensive than traditional laptops, but they are still more expensive than tablets, and the cost of the device can quickly add up if you need to purchase additional hardware or accessories.
  • Performance - Netbooks sacrifice processing power for portability and battery life, meaning they are not suitable for intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
  • Storage Capacity - Another area where netbooks are limited is storage space. The built-in hard drives of most netbooks are limited to 32GB or 64GB of storage, and there is no option for adding an additional hard drive or external storage.
  • Size and Weight - While the portability of netbooks is one of their biggest advantages, they can also be difficult to use for extended periods of time, as the small keyboards and screens can be uncomfortable to use.
  • Battery Life - Netbooks typically offer good battery life, but it will vary depending on the model and the tasks you are running.

Best alternatives

  1. Laptops - Traditional laptops offer more power and storage than netbooks, along with larger screens and keyboards.
  2. Chromebooks - Chromebooks are a lightweight laptop alternative that rely on cloud computing with fast boot times and long battery life.
  3. Tablets - Tablets are a popular alternative to netbooks as they are highly portable and offer touchscreen capabilities.
  4. 2-in-1 Hybrids - 2-in-1 hybrids are laptops that can also be used as tablets.
  5. Smartphones - Smartphones can provide similar functionality to netbooks, albeit with a smaller screen and less portability.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • External Keyboard - a plugin keyboard which allows more comfortable typing than a traditional netbook keyboard.
  • External Mouse - a plugin mouse which allows more precise control than a trackpad.
  • Carrying Case - a pouch or bag to store and transport a netbook.
  • Screen Protector - a thin film to protect the screen from scratches and dust.
  • Bluetooth Adapter - a device to allow connection to Bluetooth peripherals such as mice and keyboards.
  • USB Hub - a device allowing multiple USB devices to be connected to a single USB port.
  • External Hard Drive - a hard drive which can be used for additional storage or backup.

Common questions

  1. What is the difference between a Netbook and a regular laptop?
    Netbooks are smaller, more lightweight, and less powerful than regular laptops. They also often have fewer ports, less RAM, and less storage capacity than regular laptops. Netbooks are ideal for individuals who primarily need a device for basic web browsing, email, and word processing.
  2. What other features come standard with a Netbook?
    Most Netbooks come with a built-in webcam, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Some may also come with integrated cellular modems, touchscreens, and other features.
  3. What is the battery life of a Netbook?
    The battery life of a Netbook varies depending on the model, but generally they can last anywhere from four to seven hours on a single charge.
  4. What type of operating system is used on a Netbook?
    Most modern Netbooks use Windows or Linux-based operating systems.
  5. Are Netbooks compatible with most external hardware?
    Yes, most Netbooks are compatible with most external hardware, such as monitors, printers, and other peripherals.
  6. Are Netbooks more expensive than regular laptops?
    Generally, Netbooks are cheaper than regular laptops because they are less powerful and have fewer features.

Trivia

In 2009, an Australian couple inadvertently took a netbook on their honeymoon instead of their actual laptop. They realized the mistake when they arrived, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise – they later said the smaller netbook was much easier to travel with than their laptop. This was reported by The Age in 2009.

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.