Those using laptops on a day-to-day basis can sometimes be burdened by bulkiness and size and so they may want to consider something a bit smaller. Many do not realize that it is all about the weight and not so much about the size. Netbooks and mini laptops are becoming a perfect alternative to typical portables because the screen size ranges from seven to ten inches and they generally weigh only about two pounds, which is quite a but less than the average portable. The batteries last up to about eight hours, though most will be closer to 4 hours, which is still very good. The first question a potential buyer should ask is whether or not the mini laptop will be used for personal use, business use, or any other functions. It may make sense to look for a traditional portable if one requires all of the features that are provided by a more powerful machine.
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If you are serious about owning one of these mini laptops then you should do some typing on one before you purchase it. You can do this by simply going to an electronics superstore and playing with the display models. Bring a little something with you to type out so that you can get a real feel for whether or not you can get real work done on these machines. Some keyboards will be better than others and you want to find one that suits you well. Most people look at the wrong specifications when making a purchase, when they should be considering ergonomics and how they can type on the machine.
Some other possible negative issues regarding the mini laptops are that the microprocessor is far less powerful than a traditional portable. However, for standard functions like internet, word processing, spreadsheets etc., the mini certainly can handle these basics. If an individual is strictly looking at a computer with regard to gaming, then a standard portable will function better. Furthermore, to improve the qualitative experience in gaming, most likely one will desire a larger screen, not to mention something with a dedicated graphics card. It makes sense to purchase the larger of the screens among the minis because they’re basically the same size as those with smaller screens. One should also buy a six-cell battery for longer life, but it generally costs an additional fifty dollars. This can help avoid those aggravating times at the coffee shop where several people are fighting over the same plug. It seems like more mini laptop companies are now selling the units with the six cells. Also, one should try out the various characteristics: make sure the keypad feels comfortable, and make sure that the keys have enough space between one another. Sometimes the flat keys can be difficult and annoying to some users.
Adding alternate software makes sense because the speed and functionality will increase, thus making it comparable to a regular portable. Never pay more than five hundred dollars for a mini because then the buyer is stepping into the next tier: a standard portable. Furthermore, there are no DVD drives in the minis, so transferring and saving data will require some other means, like a jump drive. Sony makes a great lightweight portable similar in size to the netbooks, so this should be a viable option for some. Again, it is most important to try the netbooks in person to find the perfect fit.
Here is a popular mini laptop these days, and can even be had for under $300 dollars in some cases depending on the current deals that are being offered:
