Weight:
Netbooks are designed to be ultra portable – basically meaning that you can take them anywhere without the hassle of them being too heavy to carry.
Almost all best netbooks weigh 2-3lbs (1-1.5kg), although there are a few models that go slightly outside of this range.
Operating System:
The standard choice of operating systems at the moment are Linux or Windows XP. Windows Vista is available as an option on some best netbooks, but Vista tends to be resource hungry, so most people stick with XP for now.
Windows 7 is due later in 2009, and it is expected to replace Windows XP for best netbook use, as it is more efficient with system resources – helping it to run more smoothly.
Memory:
The usual amount of RAM memory that best netbooks come with is 512MB to 1GB, although almost all best netbooks are able to carry up to 2GB.
Storage:
There are two types of storage options for best netbooks; Solid State Disk (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD) – see an earlier article for a comparison between each.
SSDs offered in best netbooks are smaller in size than their HDD counterparts, as they are more expensive to make at the present time. SSDs capacities range from 4GB to 32GB, whereas HDDs range from 80GB to 160GB in most best netbooks.
SSDs are a good choice if your best netbook is likely to be knocked around a lot on the move, as they are more shock resistant.
Connectivity:
Netbooks come with the usual range of ports that you would expect on a computer these days; USB 2.0, memory card reader, headphone/mic socket.
Some models come with an express card slot and optional extras include Bluetooth and 3G.
Most best netbooks come with a built in microphone and webcam to make video conferencing calls.
Keyboard Size:
With best netbooks by default being smaller computers, they don’t have full size keyboards like conventional laptops. Keyboard sizes range from 80-93% of full size, depending on the screen size of the best netbook.
Netbooks with 10 inch screens tend to have the biggest keyboards, often around 92% of full size. Those with bigger fingers may struggle with smaller size keyboards – worth considering before you buy.
Processing Power:
Netbooks use low powered computer processors so that they are able to give good battery life whilst on the move.
In order to achieve this, the processors have one core rather than the two cores found in many laptop computers.
This does mean that best netbooks are not suitable for the most intensive computing tasks, such as video editing or playing graphically intensive games, but they are easily capable of 95% or more of your everyday computing needs.
Cost:
Netbooks start off at around $300 for a standard model, although with optional extras, the price can get as high as $700-$800.
Most of you will be able to find a best netbook that suits your needs for less than $400.
So, there’s a look at what makes a best netbook a best netbook in detail. These are great computers and their small and light weight size makes it easy to take everywhere you go.