Laptops have gotten progressively smaller over the last decade. Technology has gifted us with small but powerful gadgets that can last almost half a day, let you watch HD video, connect to mobile wireless broadband and do a lot more in a compact form-factor. There are big, heavy laptops as well, but they are categorized as desktop replacements, marking their position as stationary. On the other hand, we have the ultra light portable category, which gives us comparable processing power to that of proper, full-size laptops, but with the luxury of portability and enhanced battery life. Finally, we have mini laptops, which are more popularly known as netbooks. These laptops offer less processing power, instead leaning on strong battery life and enhanced portability. If you are looking to buy mini laptop then this guide will help you figure out what you need.
The netbook category is characterized by manufacturers’ use of Intel Atom processors. These are energy-efficient CPUs that offer long battery life at the cost of raw processing power. As a result, netbooks are designed for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, watching videos, editing documents and perfect for business-oriented consumers and students. Running games and processor intensive applications such as PhotoShop are not recommended. The first iteration of Atom processors was slow, but suitable for the abovementioned tasks. However, new processors have come out that are more powerful and can handle more advanced applications. The most prominent of these are the new Atom dual-core processors that are coupled with NVIDIA’s Ion graphics processors for handling Adobe Flash and high-definition videos, along with some light gaming. AMD has also released the Fusion processor that is coupled with a powerful ATI graphics processor.
Moving on from processors, the second deciding factor to buy mini laptop is the screen size. Most laptops in this category feature 10” screens with 1024×600 resolution. There are some models that feature 11.6” screens with higher resolutions, but they are few and are considerably more expensive than their smaller counterparts are. It should be noted that these netbooks do not feature a built-in optical drive, so if you need one you have to factor the cost of an external drive into the cost.
There are many netbook models by computer manufacturers in the market now. One of the most prominent is the Acer Aspire One D260. It is lightweight, highly usable and has great battery life. The sleek design features LED lights that give it a TRON look. This model has a great choice of ports, but sadly lacks HDMI output. It also packs the older, single-core Atom processor, though it has great battery life to balance it out. The Acer Aspire One 533 is a better choice if you want to play HD video and view HD Flash videos. This model also lacks an HDMI port, but features better specifications and the same great battery life.
Dell Mini 10 and HP Mini are also great choices if you are looking to buy mini laptop. Their build qualities are good and have a great finish. Additionally, Dell’s model comes with a high-resolution screen. They carry the older Atom processor though, which is sad. The Samsung NF210 is another great choice; it is light, looks great and has the new dual-core chip. An interesting choice would be the Alienware M11x. It fits the netbook category like a glove but features a proper Core i5 or i7 processor, pushing into the boundaries of the desktop replacement category. It also has a powerful graphics card. However, all this comes at the price of battery life and cost, none of which are too friendly.
You have a lot of choice if you are looking to buy mini laptop. There are many great models to choose from, but you will end up with a light, ultra portable machine that will last longer than you can imagine.