Netbooks are nothing really new. All they are is ultraportables shrinked with slower processors, less RAM and HD space, cramped keyboards, slow Intel graphics (unless they use nVidia) and small trackpads. I think Netbooks are dumb because they have even less performance and myself that doesn’t have good eyes, I would probably have eye-strain after looking at the very small fonts on the Netbook screens and have trouble typing on the very cramped keyboard. Add Windows, the most difficult OS when you add malware problems and other stuff (again, depends on the user and how he/she maintains the computer), well, I think it’s less viable than a regular and more powerful laptop. I would never consider using a netbook over a regular laptop or a CULV laptop, which have more power and battery life compared to a netbook and are not so expensive.
People complained about the iPad being stupid because a Netbook because it can’t run nearly all the off the shelf software or it doesn’t run Windows. iPad is a good example of what the netbook should be, besides the closed garden. Netbooks should get rid of the keyboard and trackpad and instead replace it with a multi-touch screen that uses either Touch oriented Linux like Maemo, Ubuntu Mobile or Android. Windows is not suitable for a touch screen device since the interface is more geared for the mouse and keyboard. The reason the iPad is popular because the user experience. People don’t have to deal with small keyboards and trackpads and use the screen for something more useful. Heck, I have been using my iPhone as my on the go surfing device and works pretty well. Multitasking may be the main cause people complain about the iPad, but probably in future versions of iPhone OS will add multitasking support and once the iPad is jailbroken, you know that multitasking will be added. Most I do when I’m on the go is surf the internet, update Twitter, listen to music and IRC chat, and I think the iPad can do this and also double as a eReader (I was planning to get one so I can get cheaper college textbooks on it since they are so freaking expensive).
Netbooks overall brings absolutely nothing new to the table, except that its a more portable computer but underpowered! If I really need a laptop on the go, I rather carry a few more extra pounds and haul my Macbook Pro around then use a netbook that would give me a absolutely horrible computing experience with strain eyes. Netbooks are just the trash of portable computing… and unnecessary in my opinion.
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