So you want to buy a small portable computer? Well we have laptops, notebooks, tablets and now netbooks.
Courtesy of the internet information bible Wikipedia we have copied and pasted, at great expense, this description “A netbook is a light-weight, low-cost, energy-efficient, highly portable laptop that achieves these parameters by offering fewer features, less processing power and reduced ability to run resource-intensive operating systems”. Is that clear? If so I’ll continue.
Following in the footsteps of it’s larger, more expensive relative the laptop, the netbook also has a large selection of models to choose from. Trying to take into account ALL of the above qualities that make a netbook different from a laptop we, the team here at Geek, have decided that our prestigious award for the best netbook goes to….. (drum roll)……the Acer Aspire One.
Ok… ok…. please remain calm! We know that the Aspire One has a weird mouse touchpad, a less than average battery performance and storage starts at a lousy 8 GB.
But let’s go back to that initial definition of the netbook.
Lightweight – at just under a kilo I’d say that’s light.
Low cost – the Acer Aspire One is amongst the cheapest netbooks on the market.
Energy efficient– averaging approx 3 hours for the standard battery is reasonable.
Highly portable – 9.8 x 6.7 x 1.14 is damn small.
It’s also a cute looking piece of kit with all the bits where there should be, it offers some flexibility for upgrades which should keep the geeks (like us) happy, and it’s worth mentioning that this base model comes with Linux which has an excellent following and fan base (for support, upgrades, softwareetc).
So all the above categories are met. What can it do? Courtesy of the built in 802.11b/g wireless it can surf the ‘net. With it’s card readers and usb ports the list of optional extras is only limited by your imagination, budget or size of local computershop. A VGA port and audio jacks allow for hooking up to a larger monitor or audio system when not on the move, making it very flexible.
So, let’s hear a round of applause for the best netbook, the Acer Aspire One. Big things, do indeed, come in small packages.
Here's: the top 3
It's been two years since netbooks entered the market and becoming the best choice of computing platform for students. Many thought that netbooks are just fads. However, two years down the road, now we see more and more hardware vendors joining the netbook bandwagon.
Students benefit the most from netbooks. Many can now afford to have a computer of their own. Besides the price, netbooks' size and weight also play an important role in making it the best choice for student usage.
With so many models in the market today, students are spoilt for choice. Many are now faced with the problem of not knowing which model to pick. Lets now take a look at the best three netbook models for the year 2009. These are the best netbooks for students at the moment.
ASUS Eee PC 1005HA.
The 1005HA is truly an amazing piece of craftsmen from ASUS. It is slim. Just 1.4 inches at the thickest point. It weighs a mere 2.8 pounds. Both the size and weight makes it an ideal netbook for students to carry around.
The best thing about this small wonder from ASUS is, the removable 6-cell battery. It is capable of powering the unit for a long 6 - 7 hours of work on a single charge. That's not hours of idle time. That is 6 - 7 hours of running with constant strain on the system.
This should allow students to fully utilize the netbook unit in their daily college work without worrying about power. Take notes, play a game or two in between classes, watch movies with classmates. Just remember to recharge it to full capacity at home at the end of the day.
Acer Aspire One AOD150
Acer Aspire One came into the netbook market with a bang. They have always been among the top selling netbooks for students. Largely due to their very competitive pricing.
The AOD150 offers students a 10.1 inch screen. More screen real estate for students to work with. Besides the larger screen, this new model is also fitted with a 6-cell battery. This allows for a usage of at least 6 hours on a single charge.
The Acer Aspire One AOD150 may not produce a WOW from students. However, the price certainly makes up for it. It is one of the most affordable 10.1in models around. Thus, making it an ideal solution for college going students.
Toshiba Mini NB200
The Toshiba Mini NB200 is truly an eye candy. This unit is most suitable for students who love to stand out in the crowd. The shininess of this unit alone will surely set them apart from the rest of their peers.
NB200 also shines in the keyboard department. It offers separated keys, similar to a Macbook. There is also a dedicated Page Up and Down keys.
The unit also comes with a 6 cell battery option. This enables students to go on a six hour netbook usage from a single recharge.
There you go, three of the latest netbook offerings at the moment. The best three netbooks for students today.
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