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Netbook Comparison Guide & Netbook Comparison Ratings

Netbook Comparison Made Easy!



What is a Netbook?

A netbook is a very compact and highly portable notebook computer designed primarily for wireless Internet access, e-mail access, and cloud-computing applications in which a relatively low-power client machine accesses applications running on a remote server. Netbooks are characterized by a very small form factor—most netbooks are between 7 and 12 inches (about 18 to 30 cm) and weigh less than 3 pounds (about 1.4 kg)—as well as low power consumption, and low cost (netbooks cost about $200 to $700 (USD) compared to over $2000 (USD) for a business-class subcompact laptop).

While netbooks are considered to be mobile devices, many current models are still best understood as low-power-consumption versions of conventional notebook computers. However, the next generation of netbooks is expected to make use of hardware and software typically found in smartphones in order to effectively bridge the gap between full-featured PCs and smartphones.

Although the term “netbook” is in common use among consumers and industry analysts, some manufacturers feel that it understates the true capabilities of their netbook-class products, and simply refer to their netbooks as “notebooks.”

Netbook is also known as: netbook computer, netbook pc, netbook personal computer, mini notebook, android computer.

How and Where Are Netbooks Used by Enterprises?

While early generations of netbooks were targeted primarily at consumers, corporate adoption is on the rise. IT departments are increasingly looking at netbooks as a cost-effective alternative to more full-featured subcompact laptops. Increased adoption is also being driven by mobile workers who are often willing to trade the performance of a laptop for the extreme portability of a netbook.

The growing number of available cloud computing applications has created a friendly climate for mobile computing devices like netbooks and smartphones. Online platforms for collaborative document authoring and storage (e.g., Google Docs, or Adobe’s Acrobat.com) are heavily used by mobile workers, and a variety of enterprise software vendors have developed, or are developing, software as a service (SaaS) applications (e.g., SalesForce.com).

Software spaces to watch for netbook-friendly applications include

Key Criteria to Consider for Netbook Comparison

Although many netbook manufacturers have models targeted specifically at business users, the “perfect business netbook” is largely a matter of preference. On one hand, corporate IT departments will usually require that netbooks meet company specifications. On the other hand, netbooks’ small form factor may make user comfort a larger consideration than it would be for standard notebook computers.

Before buying any netbook for business use, it’s vital to conduct a thorough analysis of your needs and to determine which criteria are really relevant to your company’s netbook requirements.

  • Size/Weight
    Most netbooks weigh less than 3 pounds (about 1.4 kg). However, even among the lightest netbooks, the size of the machine can vary considerably. Some models are designed to be ultra-compact (literally pocket-size), while others are designed to be thin and light (often in order to accommodate a larger display). Size and weight may be a key consideration if you intend to spend a lot of time carrying your netbook in your hand.
  • Casing
    Most netbook casings are plastic, although some metal casings are available. Quality and finish vary from model to model. You may want to make the casing a priority if you’re concerned with the durability.
  • Finish
    Because they are heavily marketed to consumers, many netbooks have bright, glossy, or colorful finishes. Users who prefer a more businesslike look for their netbooks may wish to make finish a key consideration.
  • Display
    • Size
      Typical netbook displays range from 7 to 12 inches (about 18 to 30 cm). If you’re concerned about your most frequently used applications fitting on the display—especially on smaller netbooks—you may wish to make display size a priority.

    • Resolution
      Despite small display sizes, many netbooks support high screen resolutions. While this may help fit larger application windows onto a small netbook screen, it may also make smaller fonts difficult to read.
    • Type
      Most current netbook models use liquid crystal display (LCD) screens. A small number of current models also use newer organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, and manufacturers have announced that more next-generation netbooks will use OLED technology. OLED screens promise lower power consumption, as do emerging lightweight e-paper technologies, which may be adopted for future generations of netbooks.

    • Brightness/Readability
      Highly mobile users who use netbooks in a wide range of environments may wish to make screen brightness and readability a key consideration.

  • Touchscreen
    Some manufacturers are now producing netbooks with touchscreens, which may improve user interaction for smaller netbooks. Some touchscreen models feature a centrally hinged monitor that can be folded over so the netbook can be used as a small tablet PC.
  • Keyboard
    Generally speaking, netbook manufacturers have had to make a variety of compromises for netbook keyboards because of the machines’ small form factor. Some important criteria are listed below:

    • Keyboard Size
      The dimensions of netbook keyboards vary widely. While small netbooks have commensurately small keyboards, some larger netbooks have keyboards that are three-quarter-size or larger. Keyboard size can be a serious consideration for users who intend to type on their netbooks for prolonged periods.

    • Key Size/Shape
      The size of the keys on a netbook keyboard is determined largely by the size of the machine. However, different manufacturers use key shapes ranging from tapered or dished to completely flat. If you intend to type for prolonged periods of time on your netbook, you may wish to make a comfortable key shape a priority.

    • Key Arrangement
      While most netbooks hew as closely as possible to the standard QWERTY layout, several models have non-standard arrangements of punctuation and function keys, which have been relocated to save space.

  • Trackpad
    • Dimensions
      The size of a netbook’s trackpad varies from model to model.
    • Proximity to Keyboard
      On many netbook, the trackpad is located quite close to the keyboard, which can interfere with typing. Some manufacturers offer a feature that disables the netbook’s trackpad while you’re typing.

    • Multitouch
      Some netbook trackpads support multitouch, which allows for more complex interactions than a standard trackpad (e.g., panning and zooming).

    • Buttons
      Trackpad button arrangement also varies from netbook to netbook. While some netbooks have the traditional two buttons under the trackpad, others put one button on each side of the trackpad to save space.

  • Operating System (OS)
    Most current-generation netbooks use either Microsoft Windows XP or some distribution of the Linux operating system. Next-generation netbooks are expected to continue using Linux, as well as a version of the upcoming Windows 7, the Google Android mobile phone operating system, and the recently-announced Google Chrome OS (see side bar about Google's cloud OS). The OS may be a key consideration if you need to synchronize data between a netbook and your main office workstation.
    Google Chrome

    Google Chrome OS
    What We Know So Far About It

    Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system (OS) built on a Linux flavor that will be available in the second half of 2010 and that will initially be targeted at netbooks and smartphones.

    The initial list of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), i.e., computer manufacturers, that will build netbooks on Google Chrome OS includes:
    • Acer
    • Asus
    • Freescale
    • Hewlett-Packard (HP)
    • Lenovo
    • Qualcomm
    • Texas Instruments (TI)
    • Toshiba

    Because Google Chrome OS is aiming first at Internet users who spend most of their time surfing the Web, writing emails, and chatting, it's designed to boot up and get you onto the Web within few seconds.

    No need for storage disk, anti-virus, or backup. No installation=no threat, so 'no fear to lose your data', they say.

    Google Chrome OS is a true cloud OS; everything will now be replaced by a live workspace (an example of what cloud computing can do for you).

    If you need any feature provided by a regular desktop application (e.g., word processor), you need now to rely on web-based applications like Microsoft Office Live, Google Docs , and any other application offered using the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model.

    Further details: Introducing the Google Chrome OS (from the official Google Blog)
  • Interface
    Some netbooks—primarily those using a Linux OS—ship with a customized user interface designed to improve the user experience on a small display.

  • Applications
    Most netbooks ship with an assortment of preloaded software that vary depending on the operating system. Netbooks with Linux operating systems usually come preloaded with open-source equivalents to popular Web browsing, security, and productivity software.

  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Many netbooks have special function keys or keyboard shortcuts for quickly toggling things like wireless and Bluetooth support in environments where they might interfere with other equipment (e.g., hospitals, airplanes).

  • Hard Drive
    Current-generation netbooks ship with either a standard hard drive or a solid-state drive. A conventional hard drive will usually provide more storage space (typically 80 to 100 GB), but will also consume more power and generate more heat. Solid-state drives with no moving parts run cooler and consume less power, but tend to be more expensive and have a lower storage capacity (typically 8 to 64 GB).

  • Ports
    Most midsize to large netbooks are equipped with three USB ports. USB ports may be an important consideration for users who want or need to connect peripheral devices, use an external keyboards or mouse, or boost their netbooks’ storage capacity with external hard drives or USB memory keys.

    Some netbooks also feature an external monitor adapter, which can be useful for presentations.

  • Card Reader
    Some netbooks feature an integrated media card reader, which you can use to offload digital media files from other devices, or to boost the storage capacity of smaller netbooks.

  • Processor
    Netbook processors are designed to consume less power and produce less heat than conventional notebook computer processors. Major manufacturers include Intel, AMD, and Via, with the current standard being the Intel Atom chip. Some larger netbooks do use conventional notebook processors such as the Intel Core 2 Duo.

    Because some manufacturers have begun adopting mobile phone operating systems for their netbooks, the next generation of netbooks is expected to feature several models that use ARM processors such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon or Freescale chips, or MIPS-based chips such as the Ingenic JZ4740 chip.

  • Memory (RAM)
    Normally, netbooks ship with 512K to 2GB of RAM, with 1GB being the current standard. Some netbooks have slots for additional RAM.

  • Connectivity
    • Bluetooth
      Many netbooks feature an integrated Bluetooth module, useful for connecting to mobile phones, peripheral devices, etc.
    • Wireless Network
      Nearly all netbooks are equipped with a built-in wireless network adapter. Most support the 802.11b and or 802.11g standards. Some also support the newer 802.11n standard.
    • Network Cable
      Most netbooks are equipped with a standard RJ-45 network cable jack for a 10/100 Ethernet connection.
    • Global Positioning System (GPS)
      Some netbook models are equipped with built-in GPS.

  • Battery Life Battery life for netbooks varies widely from model to model. Manufacturers’ claims range from 2.8 hours to as high as 9 hours, with the average being between 3 and 4.5 hours. The next generation of netbooks, which is expected to use lower power consumption chips and mobile phone operating systems, could reasonably see an increase in battery life.

     Because netbooks are designed for extended mobile use, battery life may be a critical consideration. Additional battery-related issues:

    • Charge time: How long does it take to fully charge the battery?
    • Wireless power consumption: How long can the battery run while using the wireless network?
    • Swappable batteries: Most netbooks’ batteries are swappable, and manufacturers can sell you extra batteries to extend up-time. However, certain models feature integrated batteries that cannot be easily removed.
    • Battery size: Does the battery extend outside the netbook’s frame or does it fit nicely within the body of the netbook?
    • Battery type: Netbooks typically use lithium ion batteries.
  • MSI Netbooks
    Video Capability
    Most current-generation netbooks have limited graphics capability, and some models are better suited than others for video playback. Some manufacturers have announced that their next-generation laptops will be high-definition (HD) capable, with early models supporting 720p (i.e., 720 lines of vertical resolution, progressive scan) and subsequent models supporting 1080p (1080 lines of vertical resolution, progressive scan).
  • Fingerprint Reader
    Some netbooks have an integrated fingerprint reader for additional security.

  • Built-In Camera/Microphone
    Some netbooks have a built-in camera and/or microphone, which can be useful for videoconferencing.

  • Headphone Jack/Microphone Input
    Most netbooks have built-in headphone jacks. Some models also have microphone jacks.
    MSI Netbooks
  • Online Storage/Data Package
    Recently, some wireless phone service providers have partnered with netbook manufacturers and begun offering netbooks at reduced prices with the purchase of a fixed-term data plan.

  • Fan
    Some netbooks require a fan for cooling. For some users, this may become a drain on battery life and create undesirable noise.

  • Boot Time
    For users who want an always-on netbook, but are worried about battery life, boot time may be a serious consideration. Next-generation netbooks, many of which are expected to use mobile phone operating systems like Google Android or cloud OS like Google Chrome, may well have reduced boot times.


Netbook Vendors and Products

MSI Netbooks


Netbook Related Resources

  • Zen of Netbook , by Vladimir Prelovac. "NetbookZen.com is intended to be a central place to read the latest development in Netbook, Tablet and mobile computing devices."