Netbooks Are Really Dumb, Or Maybe You Already Knew That

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If you haven’t noticed already, Lev and I have been deeply entrenched in TIME’s annual end of the year Top 10 list hubbub. Not that I’m a veteran or anything seeing as how this is my first go-round. I’ve also been handling the tech packages that regularly run over at TIME.com that we lovingly place at the bottom of the TECHLAND homepage. I actually don’t mind doing these packages at all but I just wrapped up a netbook accessory feature and I found it to be one of the hardest things to do. Why?

Well, every accessory fills a void inherent with netbooks: no optical drive, not enough storage, cramped screens, small keyboards, etc. It’s not that I dislike netbooks, I just think they’re underpowered and most keyboards are way too tiny even for me. HP probably has the best netbooks because the keyboards are nearly full-sized, though. But the screen is cramped and I’d much rather lug around my 13- or 15-inch MacBook even when flying the friendly skies. I’m all for traveling as light as possible, but it’s nearly impossible to only take a netbook.

(More on Time.com: The 50 Best Inventions of 2009)

I’m obviously not the right demo for these pint-sized wannabe laptops, but I wonder who really is. We’re already hunched over our computers and laptops as is. I walked by a Starbucks in my neighborhood the other week and noticed a girl trying to show a friend something on her netbook. It looked painful. I have another friend who never uses her Vivienne Tam HP netbook. Even though I like my HP netbook, I never use it. Actually, I only use it to load music onto my Zune and to update my BlackBerry because I’m too lazy to install Windows on my Mac.

They’re not meant to replace desktops or laptops but what void are they filling? I need an optical drive. I need more than 128GB (or whatever they’re at now) of storage. I need a bigger screen. It just doesn’t make any sense. What am I supposed to do with one of these things? Who really uses them? I wouldn’t even use one if I could hackintosh it.

Thank you for listening. Feel free to counter any one of my points. I triple dog dare you.

More on Time.com:

Special Report: Which are the best netbooks?

Tech Buyer’s Guide 2009

Time.com’s Holiday Gift Guide 2009

elektrojunge

good question.
I know only one person who really uses his netbook (and enjoys it). He also does programming (real programming) with it.
I’m stuck between feeling sorry for him and admiring him.

All other people only use it to play old Super Nintendo Games and stuff like that and do not own an Iphone.
http://thejohnha.wordpress.com thejohnha

I agree with you in that I would never use a netbook for full-time use or for business travel, but I think they’re great for short casual trips.

I like to go on week-long+ motorcycle trips and a netbook is great to carry along so that I can copy and view photos on it, load media onto my Garmin GPS, carry the electronic service manual for my bike, and do some casual web browsing. They’re also great for taking on weekend trips out of town, using on the Jitney and casual/social use while in the Hamptons, for instance. And because most have built-in webcams, they’re nice for international travelers to use as little video Skype machines to stay in touch with spouses and children back at home.

I think you’re trying to figure out how to justify the use of a netbook for full-time use, and of course for that purpose they’ll never measure up to a full-size and full-powered laptop. But to do that is missing the point because they’re a great alternative for casual use and personal travel.
midpipps

I use my netbook almost daily. It is much nicer to drag to school in my backpack then my full sized computer and for just jotting quick notes recording a class or the small code compilation here and there it is great. Also as thejohna said it is very handy to carry on the motorcycle. The best part is it fits in my backpack perfectly and also fits really well in my saddle bags on the bike.

I would never use it as my only computer but for the price and portability it is a great secondary to my main PC. I love the power of my desktop and the portability of my netbook. But on that same note I would never use any laptop as my main PC. The power/expandability/upgrade room is just not there. So for me personally a netbook + a home desktop is a perfect match.
http://00negative.com Anthony Lopez

I just bought my girlfriend a Dell Mini for Christmas. She really just needs something to surf the Internet on that’s bigger and faster than her Blackberry when she’s over at my place or between classes, so it’s perfect.
Angus Crook

Yup, I use the Samsung NC10 (large keyboard, long battery life) for short trips, both business and pleasure. As I get older, I have discovered the virtues of trimming the weight of my briefcase/shoulder bag and a netbook plus a kindle (rather than 3.5 lb laptop and a few books) makes travel much, much easier. A lb here, a lb there…it adds up.
tyrantking

I recently came to this conclusion myself. I was in the market for a netbook and was struggling with the tradeoffs that must be made in the name of size when I realized that for the same price as a nice netbook I can get a sweet 13-15 inch laptop with a dual core processor, 4 Gigs of ram, 300-500 GB hard drive, an optical drive and not have to make any trade offs. Of course this assumes that you aren’t beholden to apple and their macbooks, btw. I’m looking at you Peter.
grape_crush

Who really uses them?

Netbooks are not for people who ‘really use’ computers for multimedia, high-end gaming, compiling code, etc…Mostly, netbook users are casual PC users who pretty much only use chat, Internet Explorer, and MSOffice apps…they rarely install/config anything (intentionally) and need more functionality than the average cell phone. Plus, there’s a lower price point for netbooks than fill-size laptops (‘tho not much in some cases) for those who think they don’t need all that extra stuff.
elcarnal

@grape_crush:

True! and those people do exist. I thought about my mother, she owns an HP netbook and even though I am not sure she actually uses the darn thing, she seems VERY happy when talking about it…
http://explosionhead.wordpress.com explosionhead

I have actually only met met one person who seems to use their netbook on a regular basis, and even that was just for browsing the web. The problem with ntbooks, as you said, is that they provide minimal functionality. They’re limited space and physically small features are justnot able to support the functions to which we put our other devices. However, I will counter your idea of not being able to travel with only a netbook. The average person does not require functions that are not covered by a netbook. Pictures and internet are usually the extent of their usage, and for simple functions like those, a netbook is enough.
alarancuent

I run code on mine. It’s a great little machine for completing medium sized projects, and idea generation while traveling.

I am not entirely sure what you expect from a netbook. If your primary computer was stolen, or sabotaged by a jealous spouse and you needed a replacement, then a netbook would obviously not be the best choice. If you were buying a family computer, or a school computer, a desktop might be for you. But if you just want some computing power while traveling the netbook is perfect.

A netbook is $400. It is meant as a secondary computer. Not even. It is meant as a travel computer. The toothbrush equivalent are the ones with the plastic cover that doubles as a handle.

The need for an optical drive is interesting. Only beacuse, if someone were sitting next to me on a plane in coach while fidgeting with their optical drive I would:
1. wonder why they didn’t prepare a little for the flight beforehand by doing a pre-download of whatever is on the CD/DVD,
2. If they had already used 160GB of space and needed the extra CD/DVD, why could they not be entertained for 6 hrs (Paris) or even 15-18 hrs (Asia, Australia) with 160GB,
and 3. why are they fidgeting?

To recap, a netbook is a secondary travel computer, and if you really can’t travel with just 160GB, perhaps you should think about first class or just walking where ever it is you need to go and brining an IPod.