A netbook is a small portable computing device and has a screen size of 10 inches or less. Most standard netbooks are powered by an Intel Atom chip. There are some netbooks that have been designed for gaming and HD video, but most standard netbooks are built for ‘typing and Skype’. These netbooks are basically for surfing the web and being able to write documents online and offline.
There are four factors to consider when considering a netbook, which are battery life, keyboard and trackpad, weight, and other factors.
First of all, we will look at the battery life of a netbook, as it can vary depending on the number of hours it can be used. A battery can last from 3 to 14 hours. As a general rule of thumb, you won’t get the full amount of time through the battery, as you probably won’t be in the lowest power mode all the time. If you plan to use your netbook on the go, it’s best to check the battery rating when you purchase your netbook.
Second, we’ll look at the keyboard touchpad. A keyboard can often be called a “chiclet” or an “island”, but this depends on how big the keyboard is. The keyboard could become the biggest factor in your purchase decision as if you are a person who types 100 words per minute (words per minute) then you will probably need a bigger keyboard compared to a person who can type 60 words per minute or less you can adjust your typing speed when it comes to a small to medium sized keyboard.
A touchpad will have left and right click buttons and the touch area where you will move the mouse cursor around the screen. A touchpad may have other capabilities, such as pinch-and-pull zoom technology, in which you can use your two fingers to zoom in and out on the screen.
The third factor to consider is weight. Netbooks that have a longer battery life with a 6-cell battery will tend to weigh around 2.5 pounds. But there are netbooks that will also use a 3 cell battery. You’ll find heavier netbooks that exceed 2.5 pounds, but that’s because of the extra features it may have, like high-definition video or offer touchscreen capabilities. You don’t want to buy a device that weighs more than 3 pounds, as you’ll end up lugging around a computer with a heavy weight attached.
Other factors to consider:
• Do you have a glossy or matte screen? If you’re working in a bright area, then you don’t want the netbook screen to have too much reflection.
• A microphone/headphone jack – important if you use a webcam to communicate with people.
• Bluetooth: essential if you want to use mobile computing.
• Price – If you’re on a tight budget, it’s important to get the best laptop deal for you.