How To Buy A Mini Laptop Pc

The mini laptop pc, or netbook as it is sometimes called, is a new generation of lightweight, compact computer technology. Mini laptop computers allow for internet browsing and document creation while on the go. They weigh less than a full size laptop, but offer all the functionality of a larger computer. The limitations of mini laptops are few. With less memory and smaller screens, they are not a good buy for gamers or anyone who does a lot of graphic design or editing. However netbooks are ideal for students on the go who want to type in lecture notes or compile research without having to lug around a ten pound backpack. For businesspeople, the mini laptop is a step up over pdas like the palm pilot; web surfing is much better on the bigger screen and the keyboards are much larger. Prices range from $200 to $500. Here's how to select the right mini laptop pc.(Note: There are links to mini laptop reviews in the Resources Section.)


1. Get a 6 cell laptop battery. Most mini laptops are sold with a 3 or 4 cell battery that only offers a few hours of life. Upgrade to the 6 cell battery whenever possible which will provide up to 9 hours of use. The Acer Aspire One is a 6 cell battery netbook recommended by Consumer Reports, which cites the unit's long battery life as a plus. The Acer Aspire One is advertised to have 6.5 hours of battery life, but users have reported as much as 9 hours of use without recharging.

2. Make sure you have enough memory. 1 Gigabyte of memory is standard on most mini laptop computers. Consumers who plan to create lots of documents using their netbook will want to invest in expanded memory or flashdrives. Transferring files off the mini laptop pc to a desktop on a regular basis to keep memory free is a good idea.

3. Keep the screen size small, but not too small. The bigger the screen, the bigger the netbook and the more it weighs. Conversely, the smaller the screen the less user friendly the netbook as internet pages will not fully load. Aim for a screen size between 8.9 and 10 inches which will ensure that webpages are fully viewable.

4. Try out the keyboard. In terms of versatility and usability, a good keyboard is essential on mini laptops. The larger the keyboard and more widely spaced the keys, the easier it is to type on a netbook. Visit local retailers and type a few test notes on display models. Reviewers at Consumer Reports and PC World liked keyboards on the following netbooks: Aspire One, Hewlett Packard Mini Note, and Cloudbook Max.

5. Know the available netbook features and which ones are important to you. Most netbooks comes with usb ports, built-in webcams and microphones and wi-fi cards. Models may or may not have a dial up modem and video output to allow projection of content on a screen.

6. Check the operating system. Some netbooks are sold without an operating system or any software leaving it up to the consumer to download or buy them. Other mini laptop computers are sold with the Linux Operating System Installed, which, while easy to use, may throw less tech savvy consumers for a loop. Other netbooks offer Windows XP or Windows Vista and Microsoft software. If it's important to have a specific operating system or software pre-installed, verify the software offered before you buy.

7. Read mini laptop reviews. Because netbooks are a newer technology, it's important to check and see what actual user experiences are. Links to tons of mini laptop reviews are provided in the Resources Section.

8. Find out what the experts say. Consumer Reports recommends the following netbooks;Samsung N120-12GBK, Toshiba Mini NB205-N210,Asus Eee PC 1008HA, Acer Aspire One AOD150-1165. PC World likes these mini laptop pcs; Acer Aspire One. See the Resources Section for links to mini laptop reviews on these netbooks.

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