As Small Notebooks, Netbooks Largely Dash Expectations
Thinking of moving from notebook to netbook? Read this survey report article…
As Small Notebooks, Netbooks Largely Dash Expectations
I’ve had a notebook for about 4 months, so here are my not-so-positive thoughts on the experience:
- A netbook (at least mine) is not a notebook/desktop replacement.
- A netbook is an internet device, not a productivity machine.
- Net means internet (or network I guess). Get with the program and commit to cloud computing (sky drive, google apps, etc.)
- Linux is not the right OS if you want full control over your PC. Windows 7 rocks on a netbook. You can save a few bucks ordering the less expensive Linux option, and then clean install the Windows 7 RC.
- 16 GB SSD is not enough for Win7 and anything else. 32? Maybe. 160 disk-based HD – sort of defeats the purpose of light, quiet, and long days unplugged.
- Lightweight = small battery = carrying a charger. Misses the point of traveling light. Look for 6-cell batteries, but expect to weigh in a little heavier – but probably no more so than a 4 cell + a charger. I get about 2.5 hours to a charge – not what I was looking for in a netbook.
- I have never used my 3G wireless support for connecting to the web, other than to test it out. I’ve suspended, but kept, the extra SIM card – and am saving $40/month with AT&T. Wi-Fi = 90% of the time I need online, tethered to phone = 10%.
- Like a smartphone, I turned off a bunch of features to extend battery life: 3G, Wifi, and quickly go into sleep mode of screen off mode.
- If portability means going to the park, beach, ball game – screens are still not sunlight-friendly. This is an indoor machine.
- Warm nights on the deck or dock? Why can’t I have a backlit keyboard???
- I have never missed having a DVD drive. I can do everything from a thumb drive (watch movies, install OS, apps, store offline).
Net – my netbook missed my expectations as often as it met them. But – that’s the price for getting in on something early (2nd gen NBs). The next gen netbooks address most of these issues, but the prices are creeping up towards entry level laptops – so time to decide for power and screen size vs. portability.
