What Is a Netbook?

Have you ever wondered, what is a netbook? These tiny computers are popping up more frequently in electronics stores and at local cafes. What are they, and why do so many people suddenly seem to have them?

Netbooks are basically baby laptops.
Netbooks may look like little baby laptops, and that's a fairly accurate perception. Netbooks are smaller, more portable laptops. They often weigh a fraction of the weight of a laptop, coming in at under three pounds, and they feature much smaller screens and form factors. In fact, a netbook screen is typically 10 inches-or less. Why would anyone want such a tiny laptop?

Netbooks are designed for travel.
Netbooks are basically designed to be portable Internet connection devices. They usually have built-in Wi-Fi cards, and they operate on low-power processors. Netbooks boast a long battery life because the processors use so little power and because the screens are more efficient and smaller than their larger notebook cousins. In fact, because netbooks are designed for portable Internet access and the occasional note-taking, they typically lack a CD- or DVD-ROM and are equipped to handle only simple tasks.

Most people use netbooks as second computers.
Netbooks aren't designed to serve as primary computers. They're small, the keyboards can be difficult to type on and the screens aren't as bright or as rich as the screens on a typical laptop. They lack processing power because they're designed to be portable and energy efficient, which makes them poor choices if you rely on your computer for work. Netbooks aren't gaming computers, and you'd probably have lag even playing music on them. Most people don't keep netbooks as primary computers, but instead as a supplement for on-the-go computer use.

Why use netbooks?
So, if netbooks are so resource-light, why use them at all? Most people who use netbooks use them for two reasons: Internet access or taking notes. Many students use netbooks in class to take notes and help with homework. Because the keyboards are so small, they're not good for extensive typing or even typing the typical term paper or report. However, their small size makes them ideal to toss into the backpack and bring to class.

Netbooks also serve as portable Wi-Fi terminals. With built-in Wi-Fi cards, netbooks can connect to the Internet anywhere you have a Wi-Fi hot spot. You can also use portable connection devices, such as the wireless Internet cards you can get from some cell phone providers, to access the Web anywhere from your netbook. If you need more than a cell phone's keyboard for regular e-mail access or business office travel, a netbook provides a great interim solution; it is smaller than a laptop, but easier to type on than a cell phone.

The price is right.
Finally, one big reason for netbook popularity is the low price. Netbooks range in price from $200 to $500. At the low end, netbooks are much more disposable, and therefore you're more likely to take them places. You can take a netbook in a backpack and have it handy wherever you are, without worrying that you'll be out $700 or more if your backpack is stolen or if your netbook gets damaged. The low price makes netbooks a big asset, especially for college students or business travelers.