The Limitations of Netbook Computers

One of the main features of any laptop computer is that it's portable. A netbook computer is much more portable because of its smaller size. Furthermore, netbooks are generally much less expensive than larger laptops. With a netbook's diminutive dimensions and paltry price, however, come some tradeoffs.

Why I Chose a Netbook

As a writer, I use my laptop computer to make my living. I prefer a laptop to a desktop machine because I can take it with me wherever I go. When my last laptop died, I decided to buy a netbook to make it easier to take it with me and write wherever I go. The small size makes that physically easier, and the low cost makes it psychologically easier to drag it along than a $1000 piece of equipment.

Acer Aspire One Specifications

I bought an Aspire One by Acer for about $260. It has a 1.6 gigabyte processor, 1 gigabyte of RAM, a 142 gigabyte hard drive, and runs Windows XP. The specs aren't impressive and a netbook is not a good substitute for a full-featured computer. On the other hand, as a task-specific tool, a netbook can be a very good investment.

What a Netbook Computer Won't Do

With ordinary computers, I'm one those people who tend to have too many windows open at once. I switch back and forth between tasks continuously. In the normal course of my work-day at home, I'll have MS Word, MS Excel, Facebook, two or three web e-mail sites, a live-updating fantasy baseball site, one or more of my publishing accounts, five or six research references open, and an audiobook playing all at once. Believe it or not, I actually work productively that way. In my down-time, I also enjoy playing computer strategy games like Sid Meier's Civilizations. A netbook like the Acer Aspire One, simply isn't capable of handling that level of multi-tasking.

My Biggest Complaint with the Acer Aspire One Netbook

When switching between applications or even between tabs on the internet browser, there is a very noticeable delay with my Acer Aspire One. It takes literally 3-5 seconds, an eternity in terms of modern computers, for the selected application's window to pop-up and begin to respond to keyboard or mouse input. That is my biggest complaint with the netbook. Staying within one application, as I often do when writing in MS Word, is not a problem, but performing web research with several windows is slow and tedious.

Netbook Not Suitable for Gamers

A netbook is also not really capable of even casual gaming. If it will run the game at all, it tends to slow down to the point where it exceeds the bounds of my patience. Even simple flash games like those on Facebook are noticeably slower when played on my netbook. The netbook is not, in my opinion, a good choice for anyone who enjoys even casual gaming.

Positive Attributes of the Netbook Computer

Even with these limitations, I like my Acer Aspire One netbook, and I use it quite often. It is much easier to travel with than conventional laptop computers. It fits easily into any backpack and can be carried as easily as an ordinary book. The battery life, in part thanks to the small screen size and lower processor capacity, is very good. My Acer Aspire One will last for a good five hours of word processing. Battery life can be extended by turning off the wireless adapter if you're not going to be on the internet.

Using a Netbook Computer

A notebook is very well suited to writing. It runs MS Word and other Office applications without any issue. The keyboard, while small, is still large enough to type comfortably. I do, though, use a wireless USB mouse with my netbook, because I don't like the feel of the mouse pad button on the Acer Aspire One netbook. It takes far too much pressure to click.

Netbook Computer Summary

A netbook does not replace a computer for most applications. It is, however, a good alternative for those who want high portability for basic computing functions or internet use. Don't think that you can save money by buying a netbook instead of a laptop unless you are prepared to live with the limitations inherent in a low performance machine or plan to use it only for a single function, like writing or e-mail.