How to Choose a Netbook
Buying a netbook is getting harder and harder due to the increasing range of models on the market. But don’t worry! SammyNetbook.co.uk is here to cut through the rubbish and explain why you might want to buy each of the different models. We’ll help you to understand what factors are important when making the buying decision, which are the best netbooks you might want to consider and which are now out of date, uncompetative and should be avoided at all costs!
After reading this article you will be much better equipped to pick out the best Samsung netbook available and if you decide to buy from a different manufacturer then these tips will still be valuable when it comes to choosing the best netbook.
What Should I Consider When Buying a Netbook?
We have talked about why you would want to buy a netbook elsewhere in this site. And here we will look at what factors might influence your purchasing decision.
- Size: Netbooks vary in size from smaller 7″ models right up to 12″, after that we are heading into notebook and laptop territory. The ideal size for you will depend on how you will be using it and how comfortable you find smaller keyboards and screens. Personally I wouldn’t look at anything below 10″ as the smaller models can be hard to use, I found that the 10″ models are a great balance between usability and portability, but you might want to go a little bigger if you prefer more space to work with.
- Cost: A decent netbook will set you back about £300, it is possible to spend less but you might find the model is a little below the specfication of the market leaders. Some of the premium models can cost nearer £400, and after that you need to start comparing against notebooks and laptops.
- Performance: Most netbooks are based on the same technical platform and are therefore very similar in performance. However functionality and build quality can vary considerably so check out things like the WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth, etc if these things are important to you.
- Battery Life: Battery life can vary widely between models. Check out the supplied battery size, breifly, you will want to have a 6 or 9 cell battery but note that these are heavier and bulkier! Ideally a high capacity 6 cell battery should last around 7 hours or so. I would consider this kind of usage time a minimum.
- Operating System: Most netbooks are supplied with Windows but you can save some money by looking for a system that is supplied with an alternative OS. I would suggest beginners stick to Windows if you are already familir with this. Alternative operating systems do work great on netbooks but the novice might get frustrated with trying to get things to work with it.
What is the Difference Between the Samsung Models?
- Samsung NC10: 10″ model, the original and best value of the range
- Samsung NC20: 12″ model, based on the VIA CPU, larger size
- Samsung N120: 10″ model but with large keyboard and extended battery life, ideal for those that prefer to type with larger keys
- Samsung N310: 10″ model, unique style for those looking for something a little different
- Samsung N510: 12″ model based on the ION platform, the top netbook for performance
What are the Other Popular Netbooks?
- Asus EEE
- Toshiba
- MSI Wind
- HP
- Dell