There are netbooks and then there are ruggednetbooks. Variations of ruggedized, semi-rugged, and sometimes even fully rugged mini laptops. Today there is is becoming an astounding selection of low-cost and highly portable, efficient little smaller rugged notebooks and rugged laptops, now collectively being referred to as “netbooks”.
The advent of this form factor began back in 2007, when AsusTeK unveiled the ASUS Eee PC netbook. Weighing in under two pounds, the Eee netbook featured a custom version of Linux, a 7-inch color LCD, and was a diminutive 8.9 × 6.5 inches, but still had the ability to run other operating systems.
As with many laptops, advanced users can install other operating systems. This could be other versions of Linux distributions,Professional, or a Mac OS. Late in 2008, Microsoft extended the availability of Windows XP until June of 2010, if installed on low end personal computers.
Some analysts see this as a move to keep netbooks from gaining market share at the expense of more robust desktop and laptops, and also to prevent the increase of Linux installs on netbooks.
There are many of these new netbooks on the horizon as well. HP, Lenovo and Dell have already entered this niche market of smaller, cheaper, and more rugged computers. It could become a battle of netbooks. Most of these makes and models are “net-ready”, meaning you can do simple things like surf the web and check email. At present, these computers are all very similar in what they have to offer. Price is probably the most compelling, followed by the feature set.
In the features and benefits mix there is also a battle between the Linux and Windows crowd. Primarily viewed as backup or second machines, this may become a moot point. Besides, Cloud Computing, Software as a Service, and other open source offerings are very compelling for people that already like the notion of portability and affordability.
Many netbook manufacturers offer custom Linux builds for simplicity and to keep production costs down. Amazingly, some are becoming a netbook of feats, equipped with the Atom processor and very reliable SSD solid state drives.
The new rugged netbooks are ranging in size and weight, but you can expect display screens in the 7- to 10-inch range. Almost all netbooks are offering multiple USB ports, a standard web cam, a back lit screen, and integrated speakers. Wireless connectivity is almost sure to be a standard feature in the form of a WiFi wireless network and a WiMAX design, also known as the various iterations of the new 3G and 4G mobility for future WiMAX coverage.
Netbooks may be able to run full office applications, but users are expected to mostly rely on web-based applications and services, aka “cloud computing”. This require less power, less hardware, and less of a need for bloated software applications bundled on the computer.
Regardless of what you may think now, these low-powered computers are well on their way towards becoming the choice for many as a personal cloud computer. Even if you are looking for a cheap notebook laptop, it may be worth the time to compare laptop computers with ruggednetbooks, and then buy the best netbook after reading a few netbook reviews.
The easy-to-carry netbooks craze started with the child-friendly portable computers that could stand up to rugged conditions. Now with the durable, drop-proof construction, and water-resistant keyboards among other features, they are becoming the new black in computing. With flash solid state drives and atom processors, the new rugged netbook pc (sometimes even called atom netbooks) can go wherever you go, and are designed to be used in most settings or conditions. Soon almost anyone can be online and be a rugged netbook pro.
If you are interested in netbooks and netbook reviews, then you also may be interested in the other products and services often reviewed and mentioned here at RuggedNetbooks.net. These include: mini laptop computers, mini laptops notebooks, UMPCs, ultra mobile computers, other rugged portable computer form factors, and mobile and wireless technologies like 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi and WiMAX.
This information is updated on a regular basis and is provided to help make decisions and comparisons about netbooks and ruggednetbooks.
Netbooks in the Blogosphere
Upcoming Intel Atom CPU Paves Way for Smaller Laptops
Cheaper NetBooks on the horizon by Travel
Integrated Atom To Hit Netbooks Later This Year
Netbooks Head for the $200 Range
Netbooks Defined
Source: Wikipedia
A netbook (a portmanteau of the words Internet and notebook) is a class of laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet.
Primarily designed for web browsing and e-mailing, netbooks rely heavily on the Internet for remote access to web-based applications“ and are targeted increasingly at cloud computing users who require a less powerful client computer. Netbooks typically run either Linux or Windows XP operating systems rather than more resource-intensive operating systems like Windows Vista. The devices range in size from below 5 inches to over 13, typically weigh 2 to 3 pounds (~1 kg) and are often significantly cheaper than general purpose laptops ($400), with some even in the $50-100 range under some circumstances.
According to Deloitte, as of the start of 2009, the established definition of a netbook was a notebook computer with a low-powered x86-compatible processor (compatible with PC standard software), small screen (no larger than 10 inches), small keyboard, equipped with wireless connectivity, lightweight (under three pounds) and no optical disk drive. Netbooks are typically low cost, relative to other notebooks.
Netbook History
The roots of the netbook can be traced to Psion’s discontinued netBook line, the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project and the Palm Foleo which were all small, light network-enabled computers, however the influx of netbooks began in 2007 when Asus unveiled the ASUS Eee PC. Originally designed for emerging markets, the 8.9 × 6.5 in (23 x 17 cm) device weighed about two pounds and featured a 7-inch display, a keyboard approximately 85% the size of a normal keyboard, and a custom version of Linux with a simplified user interface geared towards netbook use. Following the Eee PC, Everex launched its Linux based CloudBook, MSI released the Wind, Dell and HP both released a “Mini” series (the Inspiron Mini and HP Mini), and others soon followed suit. Windows XP based models were also introduced.
By late 2008, netbooks had begun to take market share away from laptops. It is estimated that almost thirty times more netbooks were sold in 2008 (11.4 million, 70% of which were in Europe) than in 2007 (400,000). For 2009 sales are expected to jump to 35 million, rising to an estimated 139 million in 2013. This trend is reinforced by the rise of web-based applications as well as mobile networking and, according to Wired Magazine, netbooks are evolving into “super-portable laptops for professionals”.
Netbook Trends
At the start of 2009, models based on ARM and PowerPC architectures were released, indicating a shift away from Intel processors like the Atom (though some hybrid models contain both Intel and alternative architectures). Models using a MIPS System-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture also appeared around the same time, resulting in very low-cost systems.
As modern versions of Windows require x86-family microprocessors, it will not run on these netbooks. Linux, however, has fully supported non-x86 architectures such as MIPS, ARM, and PowerPC for many years.
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