Netbooks have turned plenty of consumer heads in the computing world lately by virtue of being so small, light and affordable.
Indeed, few customers can say no to a computer for between 350 and 550 euros (515 to 810 dollars). A German consumer research agency has reported that netbooks enjoyed a three-figure percentage growth rate between January and July of this year to a point where they now claim 21 per cent of the market.
But traditional notebook computers are fighting back, in some cases by dropping their prices to netbook levels.
“In the meantime, there are entry-level notebooks with prices under 400 euros,” says Manfred Breul of Bitkom, a German computer industry group based in Berlin.
But more choice means shoppers have to ask even more questions about what’s right for them. “Just like with every purchasing decision, one has to ask oneself ‘What do I want to do with this device?'” says Georg Tryba of Verbraucherzentrale Nordrhein-Westfalen, a consumer protection agency in central Germany.
Netbooks are designed for people always on the go. They can fit into most pockets and can support most office and Internet applications. That makes them best for simple tasks and basic surfing. But anyone looking for something more might be disappointed.
“Anyone who wants to run computing-intensive applications or relies a lot on CDs and DVDs will not be happy with a netbook,” says Tryba. First of all, netbooks don’t come with CD or DVD drives, meaning an external device is necessary.
Additionally, a netbook’s computing power is generally not to the same standards as a notebook’s.
“In many cases, a notebook can replace a PC. Not so with a netbook,” says Breul. Thus, if you’re looking for a replacement for your desktop, you’re best off with a notebook.
There are other drawbacks to a netbook. Hard drive capacity is usually limited…