subject: What is The Best Netbook To Replace My Laptop? [print this page] If you're considering exchanging your previous laptop for a new Netbook, you ought to first decide what it will be used for. If portability is high on your list, then the netbook will be a revelation; if you have ever had to carry a laptop bag that weighed in excess of 12 pounds on a daily basis, you will surely agree. On the other hand, if portability isn't an issue but playing DVDs or CDs is, then you might be better sticking to your favourite laptop.
Netbooks have become incredibly fashionable in recent years, and their growth indicates no signs of stopping. A group of people that have acquired netbooks have become enthusiastically fond of them, and it's not difficult to see why. On any typical day throughout term time you may see plenty of college students using net books to surf the Internet, check their e-mail or put the final touches to a piece of work. The broad assortment of applications available on notebooks, the strength of the processor and the size of the hard drive now integral to many makes the modern Netbook a practical and impressive tool. And it is not only students who are fond of their netbooks - many business people have also taken them to heart, and they can frequently be seen in boardrooms and business conferences up and down the country.
The convenience that their compact size gives them, however, can also be a problem. Their diminutive size means that most net books are too small to accommodate a CD or DVD drive, so if playing CDs is essential they might not be your best choice. Many people find it more complicated to type rapidly on a Netbook, since the keys have to be made smaller in order to fit them all in a standard QWERTY layout. The trackpad is also often small and fiddly to use, simply because there isn't much space. It is possible, of course, to buy an external drive or a wireless mouse to get around these problems, but that does mean there is a little extra to carry.
Many manufacturers offer optional upgrades, so it is often possible to buy a netbook with a bigger hard drive, a different operating system or more RAM installed. Modern equipment may feature HDMI-Out sockets that allow videos to be played back from the Netbook through an HD ready television, and all have excellent networking facilities.
If you buy a new Netbook as a replacement for an existing laptop you should certainly consider the practical implications of your choice before you buy. Although it is possible to check e-mail and surf the Internet effortlessly with a Netbook, using a large spreadsheet can present problems owing to the awkward trackpad and the compact monitor size. The best advice would be to try out the Netbook in a neighbourhood shop if you can. You will be able to tell if it is time to swap if you do, and you will also be confident that your choice will be the correct one.
