First things first: I LOVE MY NEW NETBOOK!!!
I must admit that when I first saw the box I was somewhat surprised (at the size of the box). Then I opened the box and took out the computer and my surprise turned to shock, which then turned to fear. It is so SMALL!!!
So after splashing ice cold water on my face, I decided to plug it in and see just what a huge mistake I had made (my dear brother offered to buy me a full size notebook but I didn't want to abuse his offer so he bought me my netbook ... mucho appreciation bro). But maybe I am starting this in the middle.
What is a netbook?
Well, if we trust wikipedia, the definition is: "a small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the Internet."
And they do mean small. The first netbooks to surface had 8.5" displays, but most manufacturers have settled on 10" displays (and I thank them for that). So let's just settle on the fact they are SMALL notebook computers with some pieces missing to save size and power. Originally many netbooks used ARM or PowerPC processors, but most of today's netbooks are powered by the new Intel Atom N270 single core processor. The Atom cpu is a great improvement and uses very little power, making it perfect for these very small motherboards. Most netbooks do not have built-in CD or DVD drives. They also generally don't have modems or very many "other" things on them. Typically the rely on USB ports and maybe an additional video output and leave it at that. Again, they are very small.
Why would I want a SMALL notebook (whoops, netbook)?
Obviously, price can be a very big consideration. Netbooks can be very cheap (whoops, inexpensive). My little MSI Wind cost around $350 with tax and shipping. What started this investigation into netbooks is the death of my trusted PDA (my telephone size device that I kept my client information on and a few other things). Replacing it would be about the same cost as a netbook ... and you can actually type on a netbook (the keyboard is 93% the size of a normal keyboard and my old PDA didn't have a keyboard at all). I had seen them in ads and at the geek stores so ... and did I mention they are so inexpensive (cheap)?
Back to the middle of this story:
OK, I've powered this itty-bitty thing up and:
- It booted up very quickly (surprise?)
- I could actually read the little display (more surprise)
- It made NO noise (great surprise)
- It didn't have Vista (it came with XP Home Edition, OK surprise)
- It looked like a REAL computer (well, a small one: big relief)
I went through the usual new computer stuff (registration, setup, blah blah blah) and things seemed to be just like on a REAL computer. I then began slowly removing the few things on it (90-day anti-virus garbage and a couple other joke programs) which led to installing my basic security and productivity stuff (from a USB stick). A light came on and I realized I could actually type on the itty-bitty keyboard (and if you have seen the bricks I call hands you would realize the impact of that observation).
It actually only took me about 30 minutes to realize how much I really liked this little toy. But a few weeks have passed and now I can say unashamedly how much I really do LOVE my little netbook.
- I actually like the size. Weighing in at a whopping 2.2 pounds, I can walk around the house with this thing in my palm while searching the web. The screen is easy to read and although some of the keys are in unusuall positions, I can actually use this thing.
- This means I can actually take it on the road and use it. I've tried carrying around laptops in the past, but they are too big and clumsy and the effort to get them into production is just not worth it. Since I can practically carry this netbook in my coat pocket it doesn't seem much of a bother to whip it out and get to work. It increases my productivity (and I don't have to read my terrible handwriting any more).
- My little three-cell battery gets about 2 hours of life with lots going on which also increases my productivity.
- My netbook has a built-in wi-fi capability, most of my clients have wi-fi, so I can easily get my email in my full-sized Outlook which means I can also read and edit my calendar and to-do lists, etc. etc.. But even better than that ...
- Earlier this year I fully transferred my phone setup to Skype (very cheap as long as you have internet access), so now if you call me and I have my netbook on I and I have an internet connection, I can actually answer my regular phone number. And I can call out too. Very nice: I don't have to be at home or in my office to answer my phone. The system comes with a microphone but a headset helps mucho. Who-da-thunk-it?
- I bought a USB-based DVD burner for around $60, but I don't use it very all (I did burn a CD the other day ...)
- My poor old dual-core desktop with fancy keyboard and mouse and two monitors and three hard drives and all sorts of other sci-fi foo-foo has become very lonely (I can't use it on my front porch, or on my back porch, or in the lavatory ... too much info?)
Why the MSI and not a Dell, HP or ASUS?
I read a lot of reviews, and despite eforts by the local sales staff, owner reviews (and some periodicals) led me to MSI. Dell and HP are slightly more expensive and have a few more goodies, but almost everywhere I looked, the MSI Wind series netbooks were getting better reviews. And so far this has proved out.
