Netbooks
Netbooks
are a rapidly evolving category of small, lightweight, and inexpensive
laptop computers suited for general computing and accessing Web-based
applications; they are often marketed as "companion devices", i.e., to
augment a user's other computer access. Netbooks typically have less
powerful hardware than larger laptop
computers.
Some netbooks do not even have a conventional hard drive. Such
netbooks use solid-state storage devices instead, as these require less
power, are lighter and generally more shock-resistant, but with much
less storage capacity (such as 8, 16, or 32GB compared to the 80 to 160GB mechanical
hard drives typical of many notebooks/laptop computers). All netbooks on
the market today support Wi-Fi wireless networking and many can be
used on mobile telephone networks with data capability (for example,
3G). Mobile data plans are supplied under contract in the same way as
mobile telephone. Some also include ethernet and/or modem ports, for
broadband or dial-up Internet access, respectively.
A smartbook is a concept of a mobile device that falls between
smartphones and netbooks, delivering features typically found in
smartphones (always on, all-day battery life, 3G connectivity GPS) in a
slightly larger device with a full keyboard. Smartbooks will tend to
be designed to work with online applications. Smartbooks are
likely to be sold initially through mobile network operators, like
mobile phones are today, with a wireless data plan.
