Save £££s With A Netbook

No-frills netbook computers have surged in popularity. But whether you're thinking of buying one, or confused about Linux vs. Windows, here's the lowdown...

Last week I ventured into the Apple store to check out the new 17 inch Macbook Pro. As someone who is easily seduced by technology, I stood there google-eyed, wondering if I could ever afford one of these babies.

But at the other end of the scale, if you only use computers for simple tasks such as surfing and checking your emails, a range of cheap yet useable alternatives called netbooks could be just what the doctor ordered.

Netbooks have risen in popularity over the past couple of years, and according to a recent PriceGrabber.com survey, a staggering one in 10 of its online consumers have purchased one.

So what are they?

Weighing barely more than a bag of sugar, netbooks are the lighter, more portable version of the traditional laptop, primarily designed to access email, browse the web, and use web-based applications on the go.

Small enough to carry around, yet powerful enough to handle most basic applications and more user friendly than squinting at a PDA, you can pick some models up for less than £200.

Netbooks made a somewhat humble debut in the UK market, with one of the first models - the Asus Eee, initially appearing on the shelves of stores such as Toys R Us, and aimed towards children as a first PC.

However, these toddlers soon found themselves fighting in the aisles with businessmen and women looking for a portable yet affordable computer, and the manufacturers soon realised there was a new customer in town.

Here are just some of the netbooks currently on offer:

The Big Dilemma

The biggest choice you'll have to make when considering a netbook is whether to go for a traditional Microsoft operating system (OS), or Linux - the cheaper, open sourced alternative.

The Microsoft/Linux divide is a hot topic among techies. While fans of the open sourced OS will highlight it is less prone to viruses - Trojans and other mythical creatures that can mess up your computer - advocates of Windows will always comment on its comparative ease of use (we aren't all tech pros, y'know).

But whatever you think, the first thing you'll notice about a Linux-run computer is how different it looks.

Things are in different places and called different names. What we know as Word is called Write, Excel is named Calc and I'm reliably informed that the nearest thing you'll get to iTunes is called Amarok. This can seem strange for those only familiar with Windows, and takes some getting used to.

The good news is many Linux machines now come with all the software you'll need already installed, and I had no trouble navigating around the Linux equipped Acer Aspire One I tried out.

However, this does not mean Linux is for everyone, and for those in the `old dog, new tricks' camp, around £30 extra will get you Windows XP Home, one step down from the new Vista OS (though I'm sure those allergic to Vista will be welcoming this regression with open arms).

Style over substance?

There is also the issue of aesthetics. There is no doubt that netbooks are cute, but is its shrunken size a problem when it comes to functionality?

For example, the Acer Aspire one is really cute computer. But as netbooks have to pack everything inside a fraction of the space, I found the ergonomics a bit awkward, with the buttons positioned on the side of the small trackpad (as opposed to below) a little hard to get used to.

In my opinion, one of the better looking models was the Compaq Mini 702, which also comes with a nice 10 inch screen.

And, if you're looking for a bigger hard drive, Samsung's NC10 is a good bet, and has received good online reviews for its excellent battery life - much needed when you're on the move.

Obviously these comments reflect my particular tastes, so my advice is to have a play around with one before you commit to buying anything.

Doubling up with mobile broadband

If you don't have a home phone line, or simply want to access the internet on the go, many providers are also giving away free netbooks if you're willing to sign a mobile broadband, or dongle contract.

We've written a lot about dongles in the past, and which are best for performance and price. You can get a rough idea of the best on the market in this article, although reception will vary according to where you live, and may slow to a crawl in more rural areas.

And, as the idea of getting internet on the move continues to evolve, some netbooks even include in-built mobile broadband technology, such as this deal from Vodafone. However, at £630 for the life of the contract, this is pretty uncompetitive by today's mobile broadband standards, and at that price, I'd rather let it all hang out with a dongle.

At the end of the day, as with all important purchases, it's important to shop around before committing to a purchase.

Remember, netbooks don't have an optical drive, meaning you won't be able to watch your favourite DVDs while on the move. In addition, don't buy one of these babies expecting to run lots of memory sapping applications, that's not what they were designed for.

However, if you want a simple computer to fulfill tasks where your Blackberry or PDA just doesn't cut it, the netbook is the ideal companion both at home and on the move, which you can simply tuck away in the comfort of your handbag (or manbag for that matter) when you're done.

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