Decisions, decisions...
When you buy a netbook, you’re buying a computer that can last forever. Yes – forever. That’s basically because when you buy it you pretty much have already condemned it to being a second computer, or something you’ll use only for surfing the web and watching movies. Basically, it’s not something you’d trust to keep up with the latest programs.
However, even if you have already set low expectations for a netbook, picking a good netbook should be something you think really hard – because as aforementioned, you’re buying it for a long time. A netbook will likely have its place in the grander scheme of your mobile computing needs as it often has extremely good battery life that larger, more powerful notebooks cannot match up to, and because its small dimensions, makes it easier to fit in a handbag or some corner of your backpack.
Not all netbooks are equal, although truth be told, most of them have specs that are almost equal. The trouble is that you want to buy something that can perform decently, and not struggle with 720p videos, or hang ever so often. You want something that can surf the web just like you would on your regular desktop/notebook. You don’t want it to take forever to do things that you’d expect to be done in a couple of seconds.
The good news is that even if you buy the lowest-end of netbook – basically one that comes with an Intel Atom N435 such as the Asus X101, you’ll still be able to do everything quite well. But then there’s a problem: HD-videos. Even on a powerful dual-core Atom, you’ll have minor issues with HD-videos, because of its complex compression that puts a strain on your processor. The fact that the integrated graphics chip has the power of a 1999 GeForce 256 doesn’t help either. And then there are other issues: the standard 1024×600 resolution can often cause a range of issues from having websites display poorly to having programs refusing to run at all (a la Photoshop CS5, Civilization IV). Then there’s the standard RAM problem: having a mere 1GB will be the bottleneck for a long time.
With these shortcomings in mind, what exactly should you look for when you buy a netbook?
Recommended Specs for a Netbook
Processor: at least a dual-core Atom (N550, N570), preferably an AMD Fusion chip.
Significantly greater functionality can be achieved by spending a little more dough on your netbook. Let’s posit it this way: most likely, you’ll want to watch high definition videos now and then, and you want it to be smooth. If you got a single-core Atom, you’ll have issues with the playback of such videos as it will be choppy.
Empirically, I have tested 720p HD videos on my N550-based netbook, and playback is usually fine. It can get a little bit choppy at times, but the visual experience is not lost. On the other hand, a 1080p video is like watching a slideshow, especially videos straight off a DSLR. 1080p videos on Youtube are not really enjoyable either.
If you don’t mind spending around $300 on a netbook, then you’re in luck to get a very capable netbook. High-end netbooks have been inextricable from the AMD Fusion (C-series or E-series) line because of its many wonders. If you need a HDMI-out on your netbook, the AMD Fusion will support it. And while the dual-core Atoms play HD videos well, the AMD Fusion does it even better – it does 1080p HD videos very well. This isn’t too big an issue when your screen is at max 1024×600 or 1366×768, but if you output to a full HD monitor, that’s when the extra oomph of a Fusion comes in really handy.
If you’re a netbook gamer, then the AMD Fusion will allow you to play more games, such as the ones listed in the Maybe and Forcible category in the netbook games list.
RAM: At least 2gb
When I upgraded from the standard 1GB that comes with most netbooks, you’ll notice a vast improvement almost akin to doubling your power and halving the frustrations. With merely 1GB and with Windows 7, you’ll notice that your hard drive is often being used to write to the swap file. This degrades performance as a hard drive does not write as fast as RAM.
Another way to speed up your computer is to use ReadyBoost, which acts as something like an intermediate medium of memory between the swap file and the RAM.
Screen resolution: above 1024×768 (i.e. 1280×720 or 1366×768)
Most netbooks come with a 10.1″ screen that can only output 1024×600, which is very low. It takes a while to adjust to such a low-res screen if you’re coming from desktop monitors that output 1920×1080. However, the bigger issue lies in the usability of such monitors – at times they will clash with the minimum requirements of some programs – such as Adobe Photoshop CS5, Civilization III and its later siblings. But most of a times, you’ll just find that the cramped screen makes using some less-than-optimal websites hard to navigate.
Certain manufacturers do make it an option to get a HD-screen upgrade, and I highly recommend that you get this. On the other hand, most 11″ and above netbooks generally have 1366×768 screens by default.
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