Nowhere is the popularity of netbooks easier to spot than on Amazon.com. As of February 2009, viewing the top selling laptops on the online shopping giant's website reveals that most of the five best selling laptops are netbook computers. Cost conscious computer shoppers have made netbooks an overwhelming success.
If you have never seen or used a netbook computer before you may have questions about them. What exactly is a netbook? Why have netbooks become so popular? These are two of the more frequently asked questions and this article will attempt to answer both of those questions.
Netbook computers are essentially mini laptops. They are built to be easy to use and taken anywhere. The display and keyboard are smaller than those of a typical notebook computer. They are underpowered in terms of processor speed and memory and thus cannot run applications requiring a lot of resources. Netbooks will usually come with Linux or Windows XP installed.
The current starting price for a netbook is approximately $300 for a low end Linux based model. One can expect to pay up to $500 for a more feature rich netbook running Windows XP. To meet the rising demand for netbooks, almost all well known laptop makers have added one or more netbooks to their lineup of products.
With WiFi support standard on netbook computers, the lack of processing power can be somewhat mitigated. For example, netbook users can still keep in touch via email, use Web based applications such as Google Docs in place of desktop equivalents and still enjoy most of what the Internet has to offer. Netbooks are not intended to replace desktops, but for the more casual computer user they afford access to many useful features with less complexity.
The popularity of netbook computers stems from their portability and affordability. Computer users wanting an inexpensive laptop that traveled well and was capable of fulfilling their basic needs were a segment of the market that had traditionally been underserved. Netbooks resonate with the user who does not need the latest bells and whistles or the fastest processor and does not want to have to pay for such.
Once the technology matures, it is likely that we will see more feature rich netbooks weaving added functionality into less space. Netbooks have clearly gained mass appeal so we may see such advancements sooner rather than later. Until then, netbook computers will continue to serve non power users looking for convenience and ease of use.
Presently, netbook users are forced to trade performance and functionality for cost and convenience. The success of netbooks indicates, however, that consumers are more than willing to make this tradeoff. Price and ease of use are likely always going to be a key factor in the purchasing decisions of a large number of potential laptop buyers. It stands to reason that while their popularity may dip, a strong market consisting of those with less performance requirements and who aren't willing to pay for features they don't need should continue to develop.
If you have never seen or used a netbook computer before you may have questions about them. What exactly is a netbook? Why have netbooks become so popular? These are two of the more frequently asked questions and this article will attempt to answer both of those questions.
Netbook computers are essentially mini laptops. They are built to be easy to use and taken anywhere. The display and keyboard are smaller than those of a typical notebook computer. They are underpowered in terms of processor speed and memory and thus cannot run applications requiring a lot of resources. Netbooks will usually come with Linux or Windows XP installed.
The current starting price for a netbook is approximately $300 for a low end Linux based model. One can expect to pay up to $500 for a more feature rich netbook running Windows XP. To meet the rising demand for netbooks, almost all well known laptop makers have added one or more netbooks to their lineup of products.
With WiFi support standard on netbook computers, the lack of processing power can be somewhat mitigated. For example, netbook users can still keep in touch via email, use Web based applications such as Google Docs in place of desktop equivalents and still enjoy most of what the Internet has to offer. Netbooks are not intended to replace desktops, but for the more casual computer user they afford access to many useful features with less complexity.
The popularity of netbook computers stems from their portability and affordability. Computer users wanting an inexpensive laptop that traveled well and was capable of fulfilling their basic needs were a segment of the market that had traditionally been underserved. Netbooks resonate with the user who does not need the latest bells and whistles or the fastest processor and does not want to have to pay for such.
Once the technology matures, it is likely that we will see more feature rich netbooks weaving added functionality into less space. Netbooks have clearly gained mass appeal so we may see such advancements sooner rather than later. Until then, netbook computers will continue to serve non power users looking for convenience and ease of use.
Presently, netbook users are forced to trade performance and functionality for cost and convenience. The success of netbooks indicates, however, that consumers are more than willing to make this tradeoff. Price and ease of use are likely always going to be a key factor in the purchasing decisions of a large number of potential laptop buyers. It stands to reason that while their popularity may dip, a strong market consisting of those with less performance requirements and who aren't willing to pay for features they don't need should continue to develop.
About the Author:
Jen Peterson is a gal on the go and takes her pink laptop everywhere. Her interest in notebook computers led to the creation of her website devoted to pink laptops. If you have ever wondered where to find pink netbooks, Jen knows so please drop on by.
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