Help me choose? Netbook or Notebook

Last holiday season, the computer industry saw an explosion in the sales of the “netbook category”. These ultra-portable notebooks (<11″ screen)  sold at previously-unseen price points ($299-399) and were somewhat underpowered with inadequate memory, storage and power-sipping Intel Atom processors.

Now, a year later, people are asking us to help them choose: Should I purchase a netbook or a notebook?

To answer this question – let’s look at different scenarios where we’d recommend one over another!

Purchase a NOTEBOOK  if:

- You need a larger screen (greater than 14″) either due to eyesight problems or the need to see small detail in your applications. Notebooks will tend to have better resolutions and the larger screen makes it easier on the eyes
-  You rely on your computer for entertainment. Watching movies and playing 3D gaming are processor, graphics and memory intensive tasks. Higher end netbooks might be able to handle some movies, but better off purchasing a full fledged notebook featuring a dual core processor. Also, netbooks won’t include a DVD player – even most slim and light notebooks will still included an integrated DVD player / burner.
- Your computer will be your primary business system. Applications such as Microsoft Office (powerpoint, excel, etc…) are resource intensive. If your livelihood depends on your computer, no reason to leave your earning potential in the hands of an underpowered system. Better to spend one or two hundred dollars and get many years out of a great computer.

Purchase a NETBOOK if:

- You only want to surf the internet or light applications. Every netbook should have a Wi-Fi adapter allowing you to connect to wireless network. Its small size and limited capabilities mean they are priced right when you only need to do simple tasks such as web browsing, playing back MP3′s and
- You need a second or third computer for children. Features which are considered weaknesses of the netbook, turn into strengths when provided to children. The smaller keyboards and smaller screens are kid-sized. In addition, most netbooks can handle the abuse kids give them and if accidentally dropped, their lower price make it less of a hit than a traditional notebook.
- Size is paramount. For the time being, these are the smallest computers and should provide strong battery life (greater than 3 hours).  Netbooks now range in screen size from 10″ to 12″ and a netbooks are very light and space saving for folks who need to travel light.

PC Sales Spike by 40% During Windows 7 Launch

According to NPD sales data, the launch of Windows 7 triggered a 40% increase in sales as compared to the same week the previous year.

Morgan Stanley analyst Katheryn Hubert declined to predict whether or not the sales spike is evidence of a major trend or simply a temporary burst as those who had waited for Windows 7 buy their new systems. Microsoft’s own CEO believes the OS will have little impact in the long term and that most will simply get Windows 7 in the same time it normally takes them to replace a given PC.

Here at the Microsoft Observer, we believe that while not an early predictor of any success of the Windows 7 product, the spike suggests that consumers may think better of the updated operating system compared to Windows Vista.

Ballmer Talks Down Hopes of I/T Recovery

Many articles hit the wires last night as Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made comments at a company meeting about conditions in the Information Technology industry. ”The economy went through a set of changes on a global basis over the course of the last year which are, I think is fair to say, once in a lifetime,” Ballmer told executives, as reported by the Associated Press. “While we will see growth, we will not see recovery.”

Dell CEO Michael Dell has made similar comments about the enterprise I/T sector, however, other surveys including analysis firm Changewave suggest that the sector will make a slow but real recovery over the coming months.

Black Friday Is Rapidly Approaching!

The Black Friday flyers are slowly trickling out and we here at Observer Publishing will keep you updated on the best deals out in shoppingland. We know that you’re looking for the best deals on Windows 7 PCs, Xbox games and consoles and the latest Microsoft Zune player.

Stay tuned, intrepid Observers!

« Previous Page