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Which Netbook Is for You?
The bad economy may well have been the best thing for a new type of notebook computer known as the netbook. You may have heard that term bandied about the Web's tech pages over the past few months, but you might not know what it means. Essentially, a netbook is a low-cost (between $250 and $900), ultra-small-size (anywhere from 7-to-11-inch screens), and lightweight (2-3-pounds, typically) mini-laptop that pretty much every major computer manufacturer (and a few not so major) have started releasing on the marketplace.
Though they're able to handle a lot of the tasks of traditional laptops -- thanks to the inexpensive-but-powerful Atom processor found inside many of them-- netbooks are mainly designed for Web surfing, word processing, e-mailing, music, uploading photos and streaming media -- mainly leisurely tasks that don't involve any high-def DVDs or graphics-hungry computer games.
Netbooks typically run Windows XP, Vista, or Linux. In general, XP and Linux are preferred as they are less resource-hungry and run more smoothly on netbooks, giving them fast boot-up times.
Keyboards are often slightly smaller than average, which can be a dealbreaker for those who need a work laptop. Regardless, if you absolutely must get a new portable PC this year and you don't have much of a budget, investing in a netbook may well be the solution.
We spent the past few weeks trying out some of the most popular netbooks on the market and picked our favorites, narrowing them down by price, features, and user type. You can see our picks in the following pages, along with a video and image gallery at the end. Take a look by clicking on 'Next' below.
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Comments
69
Subscribe to commentsBobMar 19th 2009 4:46PM
If you're plugged into smaller and faster tinker toys in order to amuse yourself, you are definitly in the box those in charge have created for you. Keep buying, or, step out side and smell the fresh air. In the 60's and 70's someone told us how to rear babies on TV. Then came the games and vidios, keep the kids locked in while your relieving your own stress. Then what happened, well, if you've followed the news the last 20 years, you know. I'll leave it here. Advice, learn about the box and how you got trapped in it. I was fortunate, just born slightly before the box. Step out, you'd be amazed.
Sincerely, Bob
gage2011Mar 19th 2009 5:22PM
your the man bob
fkurtinMar 19th 2009 6:16PM
STICK IT TO EM BOB. I THINK YOU SHOULD BE A TEACHER SO AS TO WAKE UP THIS BUNCH OF COUCH POTATOES.THE WORLD SEEMS TO BE LESS INFORMED THAN EVER.JUST LIKE POT,THE TV MAKES THEM DUMB,FAT,LAZY AND DISRESPECTFUL UNTIL THEIR HEART STOPS AT THE AGE OF 40. WHAT CHAPS MY HIDE IS THEY CAN VOTE FROM THEIR LITTLE DARK ROOMS NEVER SEEING WHATS REALLY GOING ON IN THE WORLD AND ALL THE LIES THEY HEAR ON TV. SOME OF THEM DONT EVEN KNOW 911 ATTACKS REALLY HAPPENED, ALL THEY WANT IS THEIR XBOX 360 OR THEY WILL START CRYING
StefanMar 20th 2009 5:17AM
Bob, If I look outside the box a see the pope (probably the most know "out of the box" person known to men) preaching to African people (also people that are generally not "in the box") that the use of condoms will not help to prevent aids.
You´re right; this DOES amaze me but is you don´t mind I will quickly step back into my safe and warm box.
Samus AranMar 19th 2009 4:51PM
^^^ Bob here thinks he is profound.
Profoundly idiotic, perhaps.
gage2011Mar 19th 2009 5:13PM
idotic? maybe absolutley right the kids these days need to be beat until they the cry sothing fierce there inconsiterate and disrespectful. you go bob
Virginia LittleMar 19th 2009 5:13PM
Hey Bob,
Welcome to the transition to the technological era. The world has evidently passed you by and so has the learning curve.
The computer is a resource....if you choose to educate yourself.
v7Mar 19th 2009 5:08PM
Whatever Bob wrote here, I don't understand any of it. Born before the box?? I was born in 1974 and I don't think we have computers at that time yet except those in the big companies. I am not much of a techie and honestly I only got to playing with the net after I graduated from college (1990). I didn't even have a cellphone until after graduation too. But once I embraced this technology, I embraced it completely. Why you ask? Number one, its a good way to get information I need from somewhere halfway around the world. Number 2, I stay in touch with my family in the cheapest way possible through the internet (calling will probably cost me $150 dollars a month). So for the somebody who keeps saying that this is a trap, GET A LIFE! I never felt more alive!
Oh and yeah I certainly love the ACER ASPIRE ONE. I got one for my mom....
gage2011Mar 19th 2009 9:27PM
you feel alive sitting infront of a computer screen??? i feel like a vegtable.. and the cellphone is just something you enjoy useing when your board.
WayneMar 20th 2009 5:45PM
Boy you must be really smart, born in 1974 and graduated from college in 1990, you were only 16 years old, how'd you manage that
DawnMar 24th 2009 12:27PM
I have the Acer Inspire for school since I have a desktop at home. I love it and it is light. Which when you are a student carrying around 20 lbs of books this is a plus!
ShelMar 27th 2009 2:28PM
Wow, v7, if you were smart enough to graduate from college at 16, I would think that you'd have been introduced to and using quite a bit of modern technology at quite an early age, but, yet, you talk like you are, how do I say this?...hmmm...up there in age a bit and didn't begin using modern technology until you were "getting up there." It seems to me that you may have been better off "in the box". Maybe if you had your mind working with some of that technology earlier in life you may have been a little smarter. I don't understand your need to lie to millions of strangers, but if you insist on lying, you sure aren't very smart about it. I, myself was born in 1970, and graduated from HIGH SCHOOL in 1988 never failing a grade. Maybe if you had used that technology a bit earlier in life, just maybe you'd be a little smarter. You may have even learned something a bit more constructive than lying for absolutely no reason at all. You may have even been a little better at math to at least make your little white lie a bit more believable. Why the need to say something online (or anywhere else for that matter) like that? If you do lie a lot in life, I really hope for your sake that you usually think your stories through a little more thoroughly.
RobMar 19th 2009 5:15PM
Dang, v7 graduated college at 16.
jesus.freak.1991Mar 19th 2009 5:31PM
Netbooks Rock...but I prefer my pumped up gaming notebook...;)
NancyMar 19th 2009 9:51PM
Bob knows what he's talking about. You had to be there to appreciate what's been lost. Get out of your box and appreciate the world God gave us. I'm with you Bob.
MMar 19th 2009 5:46PM
The problem isn't with Bob, it's just that you haven't the frame of reference he is speaking of. Memories of hanging with a group of friends IN PERSON, sunlight and fresh air (can't help you with fresh air anymore). The freedom of not being "on-call" all day. Try turning off your electronics for just 1 day, or 1/2 a day if it is just so impossible, and you will see that the world will still go on w/o you being "on".
Yes, I am one of the last years of the "Baby Boomers" and I have a PC, cell phone and video games. But I have no problem turning them off and going stealth. Actually, I prefer it.
KARENMar 19th 2009 5:39PM
Absolutely the best $250 I've ever spent and I designed the "box"..yeah, I'm older and have fully embraced all the new technology that we are fortunate to have available to us in this age.
I can really tell the age of the above writer as it made absolutely no coherent sense...musta come out of an iPod box, lol!
Either way, I've had my cute navy blue Acer for about a month and I rarely use my HP now. Its too clunky, and heavy to tote around. I put this one in my purse and off I go...so, live a little and get the freedom that this laptop gives!
fkurtinMar 19th 2009 6:17PM
KAREN I'LL BET NOW YOUR TO HEAVY TO TOTE AROUND TOO YOU MORON.BOB IS RIGHT AND YOUR NARROW MINDED
lpnnorryMar 19th 2009 5:45PM
Bob means you should get outside and do something other than getting fat by sitting in from of that PC all the time..Otherwise he is saying your lazy and I agree...
fkurtinMar 19th 2009 5:51PM
verginia LITTLE??? WELL YOU WILL ALWAYS BE UNINFORMED AND WILL NEVER HEAR WHOLE TRUTHS FROM TV OR THE COMPUTER.THEY ALWAYS HIDE WHAT THEY DONT WANT YOU TO HEAR .YOU DISRESPECTFUL UNDER AGED NO BRAINS HAVING MOOSE TWIT WHO LIKES BEING CONTROLLED BY WHATEVER THE BOX TELLS YA. I'LL BET YOUR NOT REALLY LITTLE