Netbook Buying Guide – Part 2

June 3, 2010, 4:53 am PDT by admin
Filed under Netbook Buying Tips

In Part 1 we will looked at the internal components of a netbook. It is the internal components such as processor, graphical processing unit, memory, hard drive, etc that gives the netbook its computing power. In Part 2 we will look at the external factors such as the screen size, keyboards, touch pads, ports, connectivity options, etc which largely determines how comfortable and usable is a netbook.

Screen Size

Most netbook manufacturers divide their product lines by screen size with sizes ranging from 7 to 10 (or 10.1 or 10.2) inches. Pushing the boundaries of the netbook term are the recently released 11.6″ and 12″ netbooks. The general consensus around the industry is that even though 11.6/12″ seems a little too large to be a traditional netbook, companies are still releasing netbooks at that size and the name have stuck. More screen real estate may appeal to some buyers, but a larger screen means a bigger netbook.

The 7-inch version isn’t particularly practical because of it’s very small keyboard. With a 9″ screen it may be hard to see details on the screen as you will probably have to toggle over to see everything on the screen. But this size maximizes portability and sometimes price advantage. Recent trends indicate that many manufacturers are abandoning anything below 10 inch.

You really need at least a 10-inch screen for the machine to be practical. That size affords a relatively roomy 1024 by 600 pixel resolution. It’s also wide enough to accommodate larger and more comfortable keyboard and can pack slightly more computing power.

Keyboard

Keyboards on most 10-inch screens have keyboard scaled to 92%of the size of a full keyboard – a proportion that seems to suit touch-typists just fine. On smaller netbooks, cramped keyboards can make touch typing difficult. Before making a purchase, check-out the full-size image of the keyboard of the netbook you’re considering. Look for a keyboard which has all the English alphabet and number keys and additional keys such as one ctrl, alt, windows, shift key each respectively. Look for the key spacing in the keyboard. Manufacturers generally tend to manipulate the keyboard layout in order to ensure all the keys fit and overlook key spacing in order to make smaller netbooks. Take the one in which you can place both your palms side by side comfortably.

Touch Pads

In addition to smaller keyboards, netbooks also have smaller navigation touch pads than full-sized notebooks. A multi-touch touchpad lets you do things like rotate photos and scroll Web pages with two fingers, and you’ll want a touchpad that supports multitouch gestures.

Sometimes the left and right click buttons are one rocker switch style bar, and sometimes they’re placed on either side of the touch pad. This can take some getting used to and we recommend that you try the netbook out before you buy.

Ports and Expandability

Netbooks normally offer 3 USB ports, and a card reader, headphone and mic port. Most include an external VGA port to connect to an external monitor or projector. Some even include a built-in video camera. Even so, port configurations vary between models, so make sure the one you’re about to buy has enough to accommodate your current array of peripherals. The Toshiba N200 netbook comes with an impresive set of ports as shown below,

Netbook Connectivity

If you’re buying a netbook so that you can access the internet wherever you are, it’s important to choose a model with connectivity options that suit your needs. All models can connect to wired Ethernet networks and 802.11b/g networks, but some netbooks also support 802.11n for fast Wi-Fi network connections.

If you want to use mobile broadband, all netbooks have at least two USB ports into which you can plug a 3G broadband dongle. Some newer netbooks also have onboard 3G, so you just need to sign up for a mobile broadband account and slip the SIM card into the built-in slot. If you have a 3G mobile phone with Bluetooth, you can connect it to a netbook with Bluetooth and use it as a wireless 3G modem.

Battery Life

Netbooks are portable and you will be limited by your battery if you are away from an outlet for an extended period of time. Make sure to check how long the battery on a given netbook model is supposed to last. If you need more power, you’ll have to find yourself a netbook with a 6 cell battery. What’s the fun of having a ubiquitous computer if you constantly need to look for a power outlet? Most three-cell batteries will last around three hours, with reasonable screen brightness and wireless use. A six-cell battery extends that to get you through a cross-country flight or most of the day out of the office.(See Extending Netbook Battery Life)

Weight and Dimension

Netbooks are meant to be used on the go. So the lighter your netbook weighs the more likely you are to carry it around. The lightest netbooks weigh just under two pounds; the heavier ones tread closer to ultraportable classification at over four pounds. Bigger battery capacities add a lot of weight and selecting the right capacity for your needs is important, otherwise you lose a lot of the benefits of netbook portabiliy.

Netbooks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so be sure to pick one that you’ll feel comfortable with. Their small size makes them easy to pack and carry. Throw one in a bag or briefcase and you’ll never be without access to e-mail, the Web, or important files again. Pay attention to the width and depth of each netbook if you’ll be using or storing it in cramped spaces.

Aesthetics

Personal preference really. Are you looking for products that reflect your personal style and favorite color? There’s a variety of colors, finishes, and, in some cases, artwork that can dress up your new netbook. We find business professionals tend to prefer black whilst home users prefer white or the other color that may be available. Black does have the advantage of hiding marks from dirty hands and scuffs a lot better. However, certain glossy black models tend to get finger print marks and look smudged. Narrow down your options and make your netbook your own.

Warranties

One final thing to consider when buying a netbook is the warranty. A one-year warranty is standard on most models, although some manufacturers offer the option of extending this to two years (usually for a fee). Some netbook manufacturers do offer a two-year warranty as standard though, so check the small print before buying.

The type of warranty is also worth noting. ‘Collect & return’ is the most convenient, since the manufacturer will arrange for a faulty netbook to be collected and returned once repaired. ‘Return to base’, on the other hand, means you’ll have to pay the delivery cost yourself.

Price Range

Specs are constantly climbing with newer models featuring more RAM and larger hard drives, though price rises accordingly. Overall price is determined by any customizations you select (for example, choosing 2GB of memory instead of 1GB will raise the price slightly). For $280 will get you started with a 8.9-inch model. $350 to $400 is a more workable range, and you get a 10-inch model running Windows XP with 1GB of RAM and 160GB hard disk. More than that will buy luxury features like a stylish case design or a built-in data modem.

If your needs are simple, such as writing papers for school or surfing, you should be satisfied with a basic model at a very basic price. Remember that netbooks are meant to be inexpensive and there’s a psychological advantage to keeping the cost of your new system low: you’re less likely to worry about it breaking or getting damaged, making your more likely to carry and use your new investment.

Brands to consider

Considering the netbook brand before purchasing is essential as the market today is filled with numerous brands of netbooks – and more brands are expected to hit the market soon. Asus started the category in 2007. Acer, Samsung, Toshiba, MSI, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Sony have since muscled their way in; all have models worthy of consideration. Read the article Selecting a Netbook Brand to get a better idea of which brand will be suitable for you.

Where to buy

Netbooks are available from online merchants like Amazon , Tiger Direct, CompUSA , JR.com, PCMall, Buy.com, OnSale and others. Amazon keeps a running tally of the best-selling netbooks at its site and this gives an idea of what model is currently popular amongst the buyers. Most of them offer free shipping.

For more details about Online Netbook Retailers please visit their websites and browse some of the popular models to get an idea of prices, features and brands. Reading some reviews is a good a idea as well. Resist impulse purchases, however. After some research online you might find that for just $35 more you could get a better processor, a lot more RAM and a bigger hard drive from some of the merchants.

Final Thoughts

Rather than looking at a netbook’s shiny shell and making your decision based on that, make an informed decision based on what is under the hood. Take all of the specifications discussed in this netbook buying guide into consideration when comparing the netbook models. Doing your homework and weighing what one netbook will do what in comparison with another, is what will be best in helping you make your final decision.

Finally, buy the netbook and feel great because, after doing all the research, you definitely got the best deal out there. Enjoy!

Netbook Buying Guide – Part 1