Comments on: What is a Netbook computer?

Michael Horowitz offers an introduction to Netbook computers, a new class of low-end laptops.

[zvonr]

From my point of view only the Sun Ray N2 is a true NetBook.... (if Net stands for Network)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimgris/sets/72157600585529837/

using more of these would avoid problems like: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7103566.stm

[mhinnewyork]

If the Sun Ray N2 is a thin client machine, then it is not a Netbook, at least how the term "netbook" is currently being employed. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I'm a big fan of thin client computing. When I first ran into Citrix and WinFrame around 1996 or so, I thought it was a great way to go. Michael Horowitz

[loose_screw]

I have two questions:

1. Why does Microsoft not allow WinXP Pro to be installed on Netbooks?

2. Is there anything in a Netbook hardware or the WinXP Pro disc that would keep me from successfully installing XP Pro on a Netbook?

[groink_hi]

1. Windows XP Professional is normally installed on laptops that are considered business class. The really only big difference between Pro and Home is the ability to have the laptop join a domain. Microsoft believes that domains belong only in companies, and home networks should focus more on workgroup networking. Manufacturers have done this separation of products for years - avoiding their business class products bleeding into the consumer line. And last, netbooks are designed for consumer use and not business; manufacturers and Microsoft continue to push Vista for business.

2. Not really. Drivers for Home will work in Professional.

It sounds to me like you planning on using netbooks for your business. But I wouldn't! Business laptops need much more than what these puny things offer. A laptop is not a laptop. These netbooks are clearly marketed towards home and workgroup use, as well as education. Business class laptops have much better technical support and durabiltiy, as well as those missing features like "N" and "G" wi-fi, dual core processors instead of the "Atom," etc.

[onlineaddy]

1. I don't think it's MS's doing. I believe it's Intel not wanting netbook sales to cannabalize traditional laptop sales.
2. No, certainly not. However, you'd have to install XP Pro _over_ Home. I don't believe you can run upgrade with the installation disc.

[3rdalbum]

1. I don't know

2. There's nothing in the hardware that explicitly excludes any operating system, and XP Pro comes from a time before netbooks, so you shouldn't have any problems installing it on a netbook. The bigger question is: Why would you want to?

Also, the author says "They are small, cheap, under-powered, and run either an old or unfamiliar operating system. " Well, for me, they either run an up-to-date and familiar operating system, or an old and unfamiliar one. And although the machines might be underpowered compared to your and my desktops, they are certainly not underpowered for the tasks they are designed for.

[ylew]

The author?s statements that Netbooks ?are small, cheap, under-powered, and run either an old or unfamiliar operating system. (and) They do not run XP Professional, Vista, or OS X? are true, but let me make the following comment. There is an operating system that bridges this gap and addresses most of the author?s concerns. TITAN LEV (Linux Extended Version) by Affrody is a Linux distribution that has a user interface customized for both Windows XP users and Mac/OS users. TITAN LEV is designed to provide users the ability to work seamlessly in both Windows and Linux environments. Its low requirements for memory, disk space and CPU power, make it a perfect match for any Netbook. It also includes a set of 130 selected programs that address the common needs of most PC users. The package consists of open-source programs, Microsoft programs and applications that were specifically developed by Affordy. This eliminates the need to search the vast open-source universe for the right application and it also eliminates the often intimidating open-source programs installation. Affordy provides premium technical support for the entire TITAN LEV package. For more details see http://www.titanlev.com

[jeneels]

It appears that these would be a perfect fit for education, however, failing to offer XP Professional hinders wide spread use for schools. As the technology coordinator for our school district I need a device that can join our Windows domain. This allows us to authenticate the user for security reasons and allows the students access to all of the network resources.

I think they failed to ask someone that works in education the requirements for this to successfully marketed to the educational market.

[dotch33]

Thanks Michael, very well written. I have 2 additions: The Dell Inspiron Mini 12 which is expected to arrive in the US by late November, features a 12? screen and Windows Vista as OS. Most websites still consider the Inspiron Mini 12 to be a netbook. The Asus N10 and the Gigabyte M912 both offer Vista too, but if these machines are true netbooks is subject of discussion.

Dell Inspiron Mini 12 "biggest netbook in the world":

http://www.netbookusers.com/smf/index.php?topic=138.msg166;topicseen#new

Picture:

http://www.netbookusers.com/smf/index.php?topic=140.msg168;topicseen#new

[dculberson]

Just for the record, XP Pro works fine on a Dell Mini 9 1GB Ram 16GB SSD. I work at a school district and I'm using one as a test unit logged into our domain without any problems.

[downsizethat]

I got a netbook for precisely these reasons:

"Netbooks may make the Kindle into a dinosaur. Why carry a small box that does one thing, when you can carry a small box that does many things? Why buy a dedicated Internet radio, when a Netbook can do that? Why buy a small DVD player if you can get a movie on a flash memory card? Why buy a high-end smart phone, when a Netbook can do all that on a larger screen? It's an exciting future for Netbooks."

It offers what I want - extreme portability, capacity for much of the basic computing and internet connectivity functions I'm interested without requiring a bunch of individual devices or the clunky melding of computing and telephony currently available in smart phones. And to think I have a functional computer for less than the price of a smart phone? What's not to love?

Question: Do these babies (Aspire One mini) have the capacity needed to show slides and video clips through LCD projectors?

[samjohnston]

The 'note' in 'note'book relates to size (eg the size of a notepad), but this has nothing to do with netbooks where the 'net' relates to connectivity. With 12" netbooks available today and 13"+ on demand it's no longer true to tout the vendors' wishful thinking that netbooks be relegated to sub-10-inch models.

Sam

[djfatrod]

Nice article, similar comments echoed here: http://www.netbookmarket.net/what-is-a-netbook/

I don't know that they will open up more people to Linux as you say though, the vast majority of netbooks ship with XP and no doubt that will turn to Windows 7 come October. The small number of Vista machines mentioned above have been largely failures as well.

Acer is also said to be planning an Android Aspire but good luck to them. It is hard to see that anything other than XP and W7 will dominate the netbook space.

[zoomflute]

I have a question:

considering buying a netbook b/c the majority of the work I need to do is on google docs...and I trael so much that the size is awesome for that, etc....

my big quandry is: I hate windows. I want something like the eee pc 1000H linux only and SSD. Can I install things on it though? could I hypothetically install adobe acrobat reader or professional...can I install things like my printer's software so I can print docs from my in home network (I'm all wireless in the house.) ????

does anyone know what my limits are as far as adding things to the netbook. I don't need to add much, but I would like the ability to do something simple like maybe create a pdf for work purposes or use my printers...

thanks in advance!

[mihnea_boiangiu]

I think you could use your printer. Usually Linux recognize any printer and you don't need to install printing software.

[eMobileNet]

The established definition of a netbook was a notebook computer with a low-powered x86-compatible processor (compatible with PC standard software), small screen (no larger than 10 inches but usually larger than 7 inches), (usually) small keyboard, equipped with wireless connectivity, lightweight (under three pounds/1.3 kilograms) and no optical disk drive. Netbooks are typically low cost, relative to other notebooks

The word netbook is a portmanteau of the words Internet and notebook.

There is another category for size between 4 inches and 7 inches called Mobile Internet Device (MID) although many also put this category into netbook.

BTW, the settings/configuration for this forum really suck - it doesn't work well with FireFox browser!

[dbeker]

Horowitz's article is pleasure to read because I am about to replace Vista with Ubuntu. Also because of his interesting points at the end of the article. Thanks

[jhooper67]

ok i'm a lil confused about this netbook. will my son be able to get on the internet? like do his myspace page and chat with family?