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| | | Netbooks are essentially miniature-sized laptops. While most currently lack the processing power of a standard laptop, netbooks are becoming hugely popular due to their excellent mobility and low cost. With every major manufacturer now offering netbook models, there are plenty of choices available. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Budget netbooks range from under $300 to about $400. At this price point expect an 8.9- screen and an Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU. These netbooks are great for emailing and web surfing while on the go. Even with a reduced keyboard size and lack of a built-in optical drive, these devices can be surprisingly functional. Available in a variety of colors for about $280, the Acer Aspire One AOA150 weighs a little over 2 pounds, utilizes Windows XP operating system and offers a 160GB hard drive and over 5 hours of battery life.
- Midrange netbooks cost between $300 to $600. Expect a 10-inch screen and excellent battery life. An example of a midrange netbook is the HP Mini 110 Mobile Broadband series available for about $330 with a configuration that includes a 10.1-inch screen, built-in webcam, Windows XP and 1GB of memory.
- Higher end netbooks offer comparable features to many traditional laptops and cost from $600 to $1,000. The ASUS N10J is available for under $800 and offers a 10.2 inch screen, full size keyboard and 320GB hard drive. For those searching for a more compact netbook, the 8-inch Sony VAIO P Series weighs just 1.4 pounds but packs in a webcam and microphone, Bluetooth connectivity, a GPS function and 2GB of RAM for a price tag of about $900.
What should be included: | - A netbook should include a rechargeable battery, power adapter and built-in wireless capability.
- The storage capacity should be in the form of a traditional hard drive or a solid-state drive (SSD).
- Expect at least 2 USB ports for sufficient connectivity options.
- Netbooks use either Windows or Linux operating systems.
- Most netbook models offer a choice of color or design.
Additional costs: | - Most netbooks lack an internal optical drive so an external drive connected via USB is required to load software or access files from a CD or DVD. These range from $25 to over $300.
- A case or sleeve designed specifically for a netbook range from about $10 to $50.
- A docking station or a full-size keyboard offer expansion possibilities for a netbook and make extended use more comfortable. A docking station costs from $40 to over $300. External keyboards start at $15 and rise to over $150.
- While most netbooks offer excellent battery life, additional batteries can be useful for long trips away from a power source. These can cost from $50 to $150.
Discounts: | - Manufacturers such as Hewlett Packard offer closeout, overstock and refurbished models at discounted prices. Similarly, Sony also offers discounts for students and educators.
Shopping for a netbook: | - PC Mag offers a netbook buying guide and a roundup of some of the most popular models.
- Check manufacturers' websites as well as major retail outlets such as Best Buy and online sellers like J&R.com.
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Article updated August 2009 |
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