The Flexible, Givable Netbook
Want to give someone a simple computer that can go just about anywhere? Get 'em a netbook.
As nifty as an Apple iPad is, sometimes you need something with just a little more productive capability--and that's where netbooks come in. These handy little computers aren't much bigger than a minute, but they can let you do work as well as have fun...and they're growing more powerful by the day.
What a Netbook Is
If you've stepped into Best Buy or Radio Shack sometime in the last couple of years, you've probably seen a netbook. They're those little tiny computers that tend to cost somewhere between $200-$350, though some can be had for as little as $99.
For that price, at the very least you'll get 128 MB RAM and 2 GB of memory, and often more.
Most netbooks are about 7-10 inches across, and weigh less than two pounds.
As the name suggests, they were originally designed mostly for Internet access on the fly. Wireless Internet capacity is de rigueur, and most can accept data only through USB ports or Flash drives.
A Handy Electronic Companion
While netbook computers are unlikely to replace desktop or laptop computers anytime soon, they're surprisingly handy devices. Generally, they're plugged as "companion devices" rather than primarily computers, a way to extend your computing presence to venues not ordinarily accessible.But lately, as computing power has grown, they've become more than that. These days, there's little difference between a netbook and a small notebook computer; in fact, some computing experts now consider the two categories to be synonymous.
Generally, however netbooks are more limited in scope than notebooks. Often, full-blown programs that are standard for other computers can't run on netbooks, because they're too large (some might say "bloated"). One example is MS Word, although the word processing capacity of MS Works can usually be used instead.
What You Can Do With a Netbook
While the keyboard may be cramped, you can still get a lot done with a netbook computer. Among other things, your giftee can use your gift to:
• Surf the 'Net
• Shop
• Play games
• Do word processing
• Conduct research
• Create presentations
• Update their blogs
• Listen to podcasts
• Do collaborative "cloud" computing
• Store backup data
• Store, edit, and view photos
• Listen to mp3s and other music
• Chat
• Post to message boards, both for classwork and other reasons
In other words, these mini-computers can do just about anything their larger brethren can do, if on a smaller scale. While a power user will need more than a netbook can offer, they're ideal for students, travelers, and anyone else on the go, and they're great as a little extra to supplement your computing power.