Netbooks took the world by storm. Even many hardware manufacturers were surprised by the success of netbooks. Thanks to their affordable prices, cute looks and acceptable technical parameters, netbooks became the new craze and even people who didn't plan to buy a computer, soon become the proud owners of a netbook.
Netbooks Are Petite and Sweet
One of the most distinguishing features of netbooks is their small size and visual appeal. Netbooks are petite and sweet and they look more like a toy than like a real computer. But they are real and their processing power is enough for browsing the Web, listening to music, reading books, running various applications.
Though sizes (and other technical parameters) vary, generally netbooks are with a 7 to 10 inch monitor with resolutions up to 1024x600 and weigh 2 to 3 lbs. Now, this is a portable computer, not a laptop that weighs 8, 9 or more lbs.
Netbooks Are Powerful
Netbooks are almost the same as normal laptops – i.e. most of the hardware parts inside are the same as the hardware parts of a standard laptop. One of the differences is that netbooks generally use special processors, most notably the Intel Atom processor or other low-energy consuming special CPUs.
Of course, a netbook is not as powerful as a server and some models have serious limitations in functionality (i.e. it is not possible connect a printer, or to use them with a camera) but as a whole netbooks are as powerful as a standard laptop with similar characteristics. To some extent the smaller screen is a limitation but in fact a 10 inch monitor is not that smal at all.
Still, netbooks are more suitable as a second or third computer and that is why people buy them – i.e. a user already owns 1 or 2 computers but he or she needs this ultraportable computer as one more hardware toy in his or her collection.
Netbooks Are Affordable
In addition to being cute and powerful, another unbeatable advantage of netbooks is their price. Netbook prices vary but it is possible to find a new netbook for as low as $250-300. $500-600 is the price of a very good netbook, which is not so much when its advantages are taken into account.
Before netbooks hit the market in the beginning of 2008, there was a project - the $100-laptop project – which was aimed at providing an affordable computer for children all over the world. Netbooks are not exactly what the project aimed at but still they are affordable and are suitable as a present for kids and adults.
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