Netbook PCs
Netbook PCs overview
Simply put, netbook PCs are small, lightweight PCs that help keep you connected on the go. They're great for travel, computing basics, and web browsing. But netbook PCs are not a good substitute for a full-featured notebook or desktop PC when you want to do things like watch DVDs, complete a day's work, or play the latest games. Read on to learn more about netbook PCs and if they're right for you.
Why you might want one: Portability over power
When commuting on the bus, sipping coffee at a café, or just hanging around the kitchen, a netbook PC can be a great on-the-go complement to your primary PC. Netbook PCs offer:
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Convenience. Quickly check the news, shop online, or, catch up on e-mail from anywhere around the home or around town that has Internet access.
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Affordability. Most netbook PCs cost between HKD1,500 and HKD4,000.
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All the basics. Netbook PCs can handle web surfing, instant messaging, e-mail, social networking, photo sharing, and listening to music.
Trade-offs you should be aware of:
While netbook PCs are great for basic computing tasks, they cannot do everything a full-featured notebook or desktop PC can do. Here are some important trade-offs to keep in mind:
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Limited processing power. To keep prices down, netbook PCs are built on lower-performance hardware, which means video streaming and graphic-intense games such as World of Warcraft simply won't run very well.
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No integrated CD/DVD drive. Most netbook PCs lack an integrated CD/DVD drive, which means you cannot easily watch DVDs, rip CDs, or install software from CDs or DVDs. You can work around this problem by purchasing an external USB CD/DVD drive, but the inconvenience and incremental cost likely make a full-featured notebook PC a better value for your money.
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Small screens. A typical netbook PC screen size is 9 or 10 inches with 1024x576 or 1024x600 screen resolution. Because the Internet is optimized for higher resolution (1024x768), a netbook PC often requires a lot more page scrolling.
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Keyboard size. Even on a 10-inch netbook PC, the keyboard is often only 90% of a full-size notebook PC keyboard, while the keyboards on 9-inch units are even smaller yet. These dimensions can make working on a netbook PC tough on the wrists and challenging for the fingers.
Why you will want Windows on your netbook PC:
If you think a netbook PC is the right solution for you, know that you'll get greater value by choosing a netbook PC that runs Windows.
For starters, you already know how to use it. Windows also works with more devices and applications, and offers security features to help keep your PC and personal information safe. Here's a whole list of other Windows benefits:
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Windows makes your life simpler. Windows is easy to set up and use. You already know your way around, which means you can get started right away and easily find everything you need.
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Windows just works with your stuff. With Windows, it's "plug and play"—meaning it works out-of-the-box with your PC applications and peripherals such as printers, digital still and video cameras, music players, and webcams.
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Windows gives you peace of mind. Windows comes with features and tools that help keep your family and personal information safe. When you install Internet Explorer 8 as your Internet browser, you get additional built-in security features that help protect against deceptive and malicious websites.
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Windows comes with more goodies. With Windows running on your netbook PC, you get access to additional software and services provided for free, like Windows Live services, which help with photo editing and organization, instant messaging, and family computing safety—all of which are just a download away.