Networking

Need a Netbook?

By Courtney Macavinta

As a community outreach specialist for a California non-profit and a full-time student earning her masters degree, Jessica Baker is on the move. And that’s why she doesn’t want to lug around a laptop everywhere she goes.

“I wanted extreme ease of portability and the least amount of distraction while I’m in class,” she says. “I didn't want to haul out a big old laptop.”

So instead, Baker bought a netbook -- a tiny laptop-like computer. Netbooks let you surf the Web using Wi-Fi, check email and do some other light computing tasks, such as creating simple documents and spreadsheets. But it won't do everything that a laptop does. The upshot is that netbooks are about two-thirds the size and weigh less than 2.5 pounds. Most netbooks also only cost around $200 to $350.

If you’re in the market for a tiny netbook too, here are answers to the most common questions:

Who are netbooks best for?

Netbooks are best for those of you who want online access when you’re on the go and only have to do simple tasks on the computer, such as creating Word documents. Most netbooks tend to offer 802.11g wireless, which is the basic Wi-Fi standard you get in most public places and at home. They’re also great for kids or teens who don’t need high-powered laptops and are more prone to losing or dropping them.

“They are handy on rough trips if you are worried about possibly destroying your laptop. As they are cheaper, they are a little more expendable,” says technology expert Karl L. Gechlik who runs the Website, AskTheAdmin, which provides free technology advice to consumers.

If you don’t do any graphic design or PowerPoint presentations, a netbook might also be good for you. Sites like CNET and PC Magazine offer buyer’s guides and product reviews to help you decide which specific models might be best suited to your needs.

What do I give up if I get a netbook versus a laptop?

“Anything you can do on a netbook you can do on a PC but not vice versa,” says Gechlik. For instance, you won’t be able to edit photos, create videos or make digital music using a netbook. You can with a PC. Viewing multimedia applications, such as online video, will be a challenge on a netbook.

Netbooks come with a smaller keyboard and screen. Netbooks don’t come with a CD or DVD drive. And netbooks run a bit slower because the microprocessors inside aren't as fast as the ones used in making laptops or PCs. Finally, netbooks don’t have lots of hard drive space -- on average they have around 160GB drives.

Can I multi-task like I do on my regular laptop?

Not as much, says Gechlik. Because of the lower processing speed in most netbooks, you can’t do speedy computing and use many programs at once. “You can only open one or two applications at a time,” says Gechlik.

What operating system do netbooks use?

Netbooks are being offered by the major PC-makers, such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard. As such, most come with Windows, which should make it seem as familiar to use as a regular PC or laptop.

Are there security risks I should be concerned about?

For starters, netbooks are easier to “crack” when it comes to personal data that may be stored on them. “If your netbook is lost or stolen, your personal identity information could get into the wrong hands,” Gechlik says.

In addition to theft and loss risks, netbooks may require security software protection -- just like any other computer with access to the Web. And since netbooks have less hard-drive space and processing power, it’s best to install a security program designed specifically for netbooks.

To make sure your netbook has enough hard-drive space and processing power to support security software, look for one with at least 300 MHz or faster processor, 256 MB of RAM, and 300 MB of available hard disk space. Remember, only run security software that is made specifically for netbooks and comes from a reputable company that offers a subscription with regular updates.

Even with some of the features you’ll give up, if you’re like Baker and all you need is a portable, lightweight computer to stay up on email and note-taking -- a netbook could be for you.

“I use it to take notes and get assignments done. I also got it to use during my commute by train,” she says. “For me it was about size, size, size.”