Netbook PCs
A few more things to know before you buy a netbook PC
When shopping for a netbook PC, here are some of the features you will want to compare.
Memory: Netbook PCs usually feature either 512MB or 1GB of RAM. More memory means better performance.
Battery life: The battery life of a netbook PC can run from as little as 1.5 hours up to a reported 9.5 hours on the very latest netbook PCs. You will typically need to choose between a 3-cell or 6-cell battery. Six-cell batteries offer longer use per charge, but usually add weight and sometimes size to the netbook PC.
Storage: There are two types of storage:
Hard-disk drives, often referred to as "HDD," which can boast up to 160GB of storage space. HDDs (based on spinning magnetic platters) tend to generate more noise and heat, require more power to operate, and tend to be more fragile.
Solid State Drives, or "SSDs," use flash memory like the SD card in your digital camera. They are more expensive to produce, so an SSD-based netbook PC may have as little as 4GB of storage, but in return will deliver longer battery life per charge, quieter operation, and greater shock-resistance.
Connections:
Built-in wireless: In addition to an Ethernet connection, nearly all netbook PCs come with built-in wireless capability so you can connect to your home network or a WiFi hotspot without cables.
USB ports: Most netbook PCs feature 2-4 USB ports for connecting devices such as a mouse, digital camera, or webcam—even a USB CD/DVD drive, which is important because virtually all netbook PCs currently lack an integrated CD/DVD drive.
Other expansion possibilities: Headphone and microphone jacks are fairly standard, and many netbook PCs also offer a memory card reader slot to make moving files easier.