Laptop or Netbook: That is the Question

 Laptops became a rage when they were introduced. They were a welcome change from bulky desktops that took up space and were not portable. Laptops shrunk in size over a period of time while the same happened to desktops too. Desktops remained the computing tool of choice for offices, but laptops set the new trend in personal computing. Laptops in India arrived late and had to be imported, making them expensive.

As computers moved beyond basic computing and multimedia usage rose, computers changed dimensions again. Laptops with multimedia capabilities became sought after overtime. Laptops started with single size displays and heavy chassis. They morphed into fashion statements with capabilities of high end desktops. The change in the profile of notebooks laptops in India was as usual slower in coming until the Indian economy was liberalised fully.

The late 2000s saw a drastic step forward in Laptop technology and miniaturisation. With the evolution of Intel Atom processor, notebook laptops transformed into the mini laptop or the Netbook! With capabilities of a technologically low end laptop, the most attractive feature of the Netbook as its compact size. This advantage also has a disadvantage – no Optical Drive! With the introduction of the mini laptops in India, Indian also gained access to smart technology used by the developed world.

Miniaturisation gave certain critical advantages apart from mobility aspects like dimensions and weight.  It gave better compatibility with pc peripheral usage in homes and offices. It now became easier to locate the peripherals and maintain as little wiring as possible, and thus reduce clutter. This provided a great cost advantage too. Though these Netbooks are smaller machines they pack all the spunk of large high end laptops. The operating systems, for example, remained the same as the ones used on high end laptops. The same pc software can be installed on netbooks too without any significant loss in computing power. The same accessories for laptop can be used with Netbooks too.

So, suit yourself, laptop or netbook, is it a big question? Not really. At the current laptops price, and the less costly netbooks (many cost less than a third the price of a laptop!), you may want a laptop for home and a synchronised netbook on the go!