Are Netbooks The Ideal Companion PC For Students?
Computers - Computers
Written by Michael Tan   
Thursday, 18 June 2009 07:04
Netbooks are so popular nowadays; you can see it almost everywhere.
by MichaelTan


Netbooks are so popular nowadays; you can see it almost everywhere.

What makes a netbook a netbook?

Netbooks usually have screens of 10 inches or less, runs Windows or Linux and generally sell for well under $500. As its name indicates, the netbook's main purpose is to keep its owner conveniently connected to the net - anywhere, anytime.

First introduced by Asustek when it launched the first Eee PC in the fall of 2007. But it was only in the last year when we saw the explosive growth of these so-called mini-laptops. Now we have many computer companies such as HP, Dell, Lenovo... all jumping on this craze for a small portable laptop. So much so, that netbooks now is the fastest growing segment of the laptop industry and is expected to reach 139 million units by 2013.

There is a reason why netbooks received an instant popularity. One reason is because of the hunger for mobility. Most people want a portable device that can keep them connected with the Internet wherever they go and they want something that is light and small too, as much as possible. Most of them crave for a convenient portable device that can keep them connected with their family and friends.

Why are netbooks great for students?

Size - Students would have to carry along their school stuff, books, notebooks and many others, additional weight is a big deal for them. Having a very handy netbook along with the other school stuff will not be a burden at all.

Portability - Netbooks are so small and handy you can bring it along all the time with no hassle, and this means you can connect to the Internet anywhere.

Sturdiness - Almost all netbooks are designed to be tough. As we all know students are mostly careless when it comes to their school stuff. Having a netbook would be perfect since it can withstand more pressure than those regular laptops.

Battery Life - The smaller form factor especially the small screen makes the netbook a real power-saver. It is perfect for students that will be in the campus all day with no time to charge their battery.

Performance - Although small, these mini-laptops still sports some very impressive specs. Many now come with at least 1 Gig of RAM and Intel Atom processors. There are even some with Solid State Hard Drives which make them more durable and less likely to be damaged. Most use Windows XP - newer models debuting this year with the Nvidia's Ion platform may have Vista or Windows 7, but still don't expect the kind of performance you would get from a regular laptop.

Storage - Netbook storage will never equal those of a laptop. Typically a netbook will only carry 30 to 60 Gig hard drives but this will be enough for students.

Price - One of the many reasons why netbooks are great for students is because the price is very affordable. Most students do have limited budget and a laptop that has a price of $300-$500 makes a great deal for them.

The small form factor, portability, sturdiness, long battery life, good performance, adequate storage, these are the things that makes the netbook the best choice for students. The netbook is perfect for the classroom and the students.

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