debcook

Netbooks are catching on. The problem is that there are so many new ones being announced almost hourly that it seems foolish to jump in and buy one.

What is a Netbook? Well, they are basically a small laptop. The screen size is typically 7” to 10”. Several operating systems (OS) are available such as Windows XP, Windows Vista and Linux. Most Netbooks have Solid State Drives (SSD) usually starting at 4GB but 16GB, 32GB and 64GB are beginning to surface.

How could anyone work with 4GB of hard drive space? To be honest – Netbooks are designed to be small, lightweight and super mobile. The name Netbook is precisely what it sounds like. A device to get you connected to the internet. WiFi and Bluetooth are built in so – “have hotspot and Netbook can travel”. Netbooks are great for bloggers and travelers because posting to the internet is the Netbook’s best trick.

I see Netbooks as the “second or third” computer for most people. Many people I know – as well as myself use multiple computers for different purposes. The size, the mobility and the low cost of most Netbooks make them a reasonable addition to any household or mobile office. An average price would probably be somewhere between $400 and $500.

The larger the SSD drives become the more interested I get in the Netbooks. I want the ability to load software such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Office on it so the 32GB or larger is my preference. Data can be saved on a USB flash drive.

There are so many Netbooks that I will not even attempt to name them all. Just enter Netbook into Google and you can take your pick. The first Netbook I remember is the Asus Eee 700 (2GB SSD) and the latest one I’ve seen is the Dell Mini9 (16GB SSD).