We are getting loads of emails asking us about these “newish” netbooks. People really want to know exactly what they are, who needs one, and what the differences between them are. The fact of the matter is (even cnet agrees) that recently features have become so similar, it’s hard for even the trained computer technician to really know the differences between them anymore. Most netbooks fall in the price range of $250-$400. It just depends on all the features you may or may not want. The fact of the matter is that Netbooks are one of the fastest growing and most popular type of computer out there. That of course, is reason enough for us to address a few burning questions about them.

What Are Netbooks?:
To put it plainly, they are a stripped down, very small, very portable laptop. The vast majority of them do not even have a CD-Rom drive. You would have to purchase an external drive to install any software you cannot download from the internet. (That list is getting shorter by the day.) The fact that there is no CD-ROM, is something you need to think about. They run about $50 bucks, so it’s not a ton of cash, but something you should consider. Other than that, they serve their purpose as an amazingly portable, highly efficient internet device. The ATOM processor, included in most of them, just doesn’t have the juice for much more than that.

This isn’t to say you cannot check your emails or run Microsoft Office, because you can certainly do that. The one we got for testing runs office and even our web design software, Dream Weaver, just fine. Granted, we did have to buy an external CD-ROM to install it, and a $40 RAM upgrade to be able to run it. All together on the Netbook, we were at about $500. For the money, we were very pleased with the portability and the amazing battery life, getting eight hours plus! We set it up and started playing DVD’s. We got through three full movies, a little web design, and emailing as well. The Netbook class of laptops certainly is not for people looking for a desktop replacement. It’s more for someone who wants a very portable computer and mostly uses just internet applications. For them, the Netbook is the perfect fit.

Why Are Netbooks So Cheap?:
They literally have zero features. Well, we should be more fair than that. It’s just that their hardware is so similar that it can be mass produced at a very affordable price. The more configurations a company has to offer, the more expensive all their models get.  When you keep it simple and can mass produce things, costs drop dramatically. Their price, in our opinion, doesn’t speak directly to their quality, as do many people think. We have researched several different models, and they all seem very solid. Just make sure you stick with a reputable company with a strong warranty.

The Verdict:
If you are looking for something that works for a long period of time away from its charger, a netbook is for you. If you are someone who just browses the web, does word processing, and business applications, a netbook is a great option.  Although if you are someone who wants to play games, watch a lot of movies, or wants a large screen, you won’t be happy with what the netbooks can offer you. I hope this helps clarify a few things.

Also, if you are looking for the one we tested, which is the one we recommend, here is a link to it Toshiba Mini NB205-N230 10.1-Inch Black Onyx Netbook.