A recent alternative option to expensive laptops and notebooks, netbooks are surging markets since early 2008 due to their small price tag. Consumers are now able to purchase slimmed down computers that are able to surf the Internet for a fraction of the cost.
The netbook philosophy is to utilize the Internet applications such as presentations, spreadsheets, word processing, and even storage, as hard drives have just recently increased up to 250 GB from 160 GB. As these are actually larger hard drives for netbooks, some are even justified to come with solid-state drives that are fast and small, but usually do not exceed 32 GB. Netbooks are not powerhouse machines, but are portals to internet-based applications and products.
As storage space remains predominantly low on netbooks, so does memory and processing speeds. Processors are, on average, at about 1.6 GHz. Additionally, a traditional netbook provides about 1 GB of memory, while 512 MB is not uncommon. After all, these machines are not designed to run much more than an Internet browser, which ultimately keeps cost down.
Netbooks are smaller than traditional 13″ to 17″ laptops, as they range in size between 7″ to 10″. Smaller computers amount for less space for traditional computer components such as an optical drive. Netbooks usually do not come with a place for CD’s or DVD’s, but do provide USB ports to hook up that external hard drive or optical drive; however, with such a demand for netbooks do not be surprised if manufacturers start offering netbooks with optical drives as an option.
When manufacturers began developing netbooks, they tried to keep their computing power and features to a minimum, to also keep pricing low. The reason behind this tactic was also make sure that sales of more expensive and profitable laptops and notebooks were not compromised. Unfortunately, Electrical Technology Diploma this marketing idea began to decline in effectiveness, as laptops and notebooks sales declines with the introduction of netbook alternatives. Currently, companies are now going to be meeting consumer demand by beginning to add features and power to these netbook products.
Computer product companies such as Intel and Microsoft have adapted products to fulfil the demand of netbooks. Intel offer their Atom processor line in netbooks that is very small, uses little energy, and has about half the power of its Celeron cousin. Microsoft has offered Windows Industrial Electrician Jobs In Florida XP for netbooks at very low cost compared to desktops and laptops, and has even claimed that 96% of netbooks currently run the operating system. Linux has also gathered a sliver of the netbook operating system pie, however only claim to run on less than 10% of netbooks.
Priced, on average, around $300, netbooks are not only revolutionizing the computer industry, but are also allowing consumers who never owned a computer to be able to afford one. Netbooks offer a gateway to online computing, reducing the purchase cost with dulled features compared to laptop alternatives.
