NetBook?

What is a netbook and why might you consider owning one?
A netbook is basically a small, low cost laptop. Netbook is the marketing name in common use and these devices were one of 2008's hottest trends in consumer electronics.
For those who already have a reliable laptop a netbook is like owning a vacation home - it is more supplemental than necessary. If, however, you are in the market for something portable for you or staff, a netbook may well be the way to go.
Does your ability to work on the road require you to read and compose emails, surf the web, write, edit or otherwise manage documents(spreadsheet, powerpoint, word etc.), view photos and perhaps watch an online movie? This makes a netbook ideal for you and your bottom line as these tasks don't require huge amounts of processing power and resources present in many modern laptops.

What are you getting?
Netbooks come in two main screen sizes, 8.9 inches and 10.2 inches (average laptop screen is about 14 inches) with the 10.2 likely to become the standard. They have wireless, full office suite(word documents, presentation, spreadsheet) web browser, email client (Outlook etc.) and are made by many of the big names, Lenovo(IBM), Dell, Acer, Asus.

How to choose a netbook.
Play, test, and play some more. Because of their size, I strongly suggest that you go to a store, if at all possible and try the various models to see what "feels" right to you. Your first consideration will be the keyboard. The keyboard will be anywhere from 80 to 90 percent of the standard keyboard size, with 80 percent being an unworkable size for those with hands that are even slightly larger than average. Also many netbooks aren't made in the U.S and may employ some strange key positioning, another reason to test and play at the store. The second consideration is screen size, if your work is restricted to the occasional email conversation and doesn't require a lot of time in front of the screen the smaller 8.9 inch form factor would be adequate. Should your work require that you spend considerable time staring at the screen, I recommend that you go with the 10.2. Battery life rounds out the big three in terms of consideration. Most netbooks have enough battery life for about 2 hours of continuous use and could last an 8 hour day with intermittent use. Should you need prolonged use consider purchasing an external battery.

Other Considerations.
Another good reason to test in store is that many netbooks come with an Operating System other than Windows. These alternate Operating Systems while highly functional work differently than you may be accustomed to.
Note also that netbooks tend to not have CD/DVD drives but have enough connections for using your ThumbDrive(USB Stick, Jump Drive).
Netbooks are a great value and for a few hundred dollars you can be on your way to being more productive while mobile or away from the office.

Here are the reviews of two (2) sub $500.00 netbooks.
HP Mini 1000


Samsung NC10 Pictured at top.

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4 Tech Breakthroughs that affect you.

In all the gloom and doom that has hit every industry including tech, you might have missed some important developments and advances that will in 2009 become a bigger part of your vocabulary. I believe that the following technologies have the potential to make the work we love more efficient and fun.


4. Flash Memory
Many mp3 players and other devices have flash drives. These drives are responsible for the ability of your iPod, digital camera to be thin and light. Tech giants like Intel are now working to make flash drives more widespread in business systems. Big name support is great for this technology - as this will drive widespread adoption and thus lower prices. Otherwise known as solid state drives, flash memory offers faster response and lower power requirements than conventional hard disk drives.

3. USB 3.0
Expected out in the middle of 2009, this currently ubiquitous standard for data transfer will get a speed bump of about 10 times. It will also get an increase in the amount of electrical current that can be delivered through the USB cable. You will now have less reason to carry around multiple chargers and will be able to charge more devices directly from your computer. Also, the charge time will be shortened.

2. Flexible Displays
Imagine a thin paperlike display that you can fold or have sewn onto a pocket of your favorite shirt. While this sounds like science fiction, you may be using it sooner than you think. Researchers and engineers from the U.S. Army, Arizona State University, Hewlett Packard (HP) and other startups have all made various breakthroughs that bring this closer to plausible reality.

1. Android (Google Phone)
Google Inc. may one day rule the world. An important step along the way will be the release of Google Android, the search giant's entrance into the mobile phone market. Android is the software (Operating System) that will provide the functionality - touchscreen, contacts, dialing etc to the so called "gPhone" . Android is free, i.e ordinary Joe and Motorola have equal access to its use without having to pay royalty. has has a growing developer community and at least six phone manufactures are planning to release Android phones next year (2009). While this won't supplant iPhone as number one for a while, look for many more carriers besides AT&T to have this offering.

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