You may or may not have heard of the term “Netbooks”. They seem to be all the rage in personal computing these days. So what are they? Netbooks are the new class of mobile computers that offer an substitute to laptops. Basically, they are a littler version of the laptop, both in form factor and computing capacity to carry through resource intensive computing applications. They may very well be the next revolution in mobile computing. Computer makers are now supplying a scaled down version of the ubiquitous laptop. The substitute they are providing is one that is smaller, thinner and inexpensive. Inexpensive as equated to the price of a regular laptop and in some cases even less highpriced than a mobile phone. So is this scaled down version of a computing platform for you? Are you more than willing to give up your laptop for a netbook?

Before you determine on purchasing a netbook, it would be good idea to distinguish and understand your necessaries for a mobile computing platform. What do you do with that current laptop of yours? Chances are that you use it more often times to surf the web, run office apps for document processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, etc. If you are a savvy web user, you in all likelihood could do all of this on the web. Is there any local application on your laptop that could implement the entire computing resources of your laptop? This in all likelihood is a rarity for most laptop users. Games, photo, video, music editing applications, etc., could be part of the mix but even galore of these have online alternatives.

Most netbooks run windows software. The operating scheme that comes installed is largely Windows XP. So there is not one thing new on the OS front that users would require to learn. Specifications in frequent include the Intel Atom N series chip with a clock speed rating of 1.6 GHz and installed RAM at 1 GB with the capacity to exaggerate to 2 GB. A screen size of 10.1″ TFT may be a limiting element for a great deal of users, but given the clarity of screens today and the essential motivation being a littler form factor, this could be effortlessly overlooked.

Netbooks are available from most major computer manufacturers most notably from Acer and Asustek. Both Acer and Asustek have a wide product potpourri and beautiful price points, specially suitable for students and business users. Netbooks could serve as the frequent computing platform for students in schools, colleges and universities. Small and medium business owners and corporate executives who are out and about, could also gain from netbooks. Sales strength personnel who are perpetually on the move visiting customers, could use netbooks to connect with back office apps over the web from a client location.

Today, more work is being done on bringing netbooks capable of working with dissimilar operating schemes (e.g. Linux), chip sets etc., to make low cost computing feasible for all user groups. Looking forward into the future, you may suppose to see faster, thinner and less highpriced computing platforms. Click on Netbook Review to see a list of the latest netbooks available. Compare features and specs to find one that would suit your needs the most.

From the Back CoverWant to streamline your life with a netbook? Here’s what you need to know!

What’s littler than a laptop, larger than a cell phone, and keeps you connected? It’s the netbook, and this “real” book tells you how to pick the right one; use it for work, school, and play; and add bells, whistles, and anything else you might need. The book also covers all the operating systems that run on netbooks, including Linux, Google Chrome, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and even Windows 7.

• Out of the box — set up your netbook, charge the battery, and sync it with your essential computer

• Get connected — thru Wi-Fi, 3G networks, Bluetooth, or Ethernet

• Do numerous work — explore Microsoft Works, OpenOffice.org, Google Apps, and Zoho productivity suites

• Play time — discover free Internet radio, streaming video, and games you may play on your netbook

• Keep up with your peeps — tweet and IM, keep up with Facebook friends, and make Skype phone calls

• Even netbooks like accessaries — check out ways to exaggerate storage, protect your netbook with a case, and add a mouse

• Safety initial — find quality antivirus programs, firewalls, and encryption options

• The maintenance mantra — learn with regards to backing up and restoring your netbook, troubleshooting, and managing battery life

Open the book and find:

• What to compare when choosing a netbook

• The dissimilar operating systems that run on netbooks

• The divergences amid netbooks and established laptops

• Tips for making batteries last longer

• The best accessaries for your netbook

• How to keep your netbook running with no problems or difficulties — and quickly

• GPS units that work well withyour netbook

About the AuthorJoel McNamara has been a computer aficionado since the dawn of the PC. He has served as a developer, technical writer, and manager in respective high-tech companies. The author of GPS For Dummies and Secrets of Computer Espionage: Tactics & Countermeasures, he might be considered a Renaissance geek.

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Most helpful customer reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Lifesaver
By Sally Robertson
I bought this book BEFORE I bought my netbook and I am so-o-o glad I did! Do yourself a favor before trouble happens. It is a lifesaver!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Netbooks
By Judith M. Sanjuan
I found the dummies book answers a lot of questions. I am still looking items up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
“Netbooks For Dummies”
By A. Frazier
As a first time netbook purchaser I found this book extremely helpful and continue to refer to it for upgrade information and use it as a reference. Great price from te seller as well.

See all 3 customer reviews…