A netbook may not be the best replacement for your laptop just yet, but a fewtechnological tweaks can help narrow the gap.
A look
at the Display Search reports shows that netbook sales grew by a staggering
103% in 2009 despite global recession. Despite
a meagre 19% prediction in 2010 by Display Search’s forecasts, these devices
cannot be brushed aside as a passing fad. While netbooks puts up a fi erce
defence against Tablet PCs, they
certainly would not replace desktops or laptops in totality. But if netbooks do
need to survive the competition, there is a need for constant evolution. Listed
below are some of the upgrades we can expect soon.
BETTER PERIPHERAL
MANAGEMENT
Netbooks
are mostly not purchased in isolation; you would need to get some peripherals
to ensure that you adjust to the dimensions and working of a netbook. Apart
from basic peripherals like external DVD writers and mice, there are hordes of
USB devices and netbook accessories available to personalize your netbook usage. However , many USB device today are version 3.0 compatible. Both USB devices and Bluetooth connectivity need to be abreast with prevalent technologies in use
DEDICATED
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
The
biggest let down for netbook users in that not many applications are created keeping
in mind this market segment. Using applications meant for laptops, notebook and
desktop PCs becomes a problem even on high-end netbooks because of the small
screen size. Thus, there is a need for applications, offi ce productivity
tools, image editors, and games targeting netbooks.
OPERATING SYSTEM
SUPPORT
While
Microsoft does provide for a decent Windows 7 starter edition to work quite
well with netbooks, there is room for more. Cost seems to be a very strong
factor going in favor of netbooks, and thus, operating systems like Linux (like
a lighter gOS Ubuntu variant) and Android would work best for netbooks.
BETTER SPEED
Keeping
abreast with competition means faster speeds and higher performance. The
Internet is no longer limited to text and images. The Web is all about staying
connected and being live. Social networking phenomena, cloud computing and multiple
avenues for streaming media have given a new lease of life to computing devices
like smartphones and tablet PCs. Although netbooks support Wi-Fi connectivity,
touch screens for faster data input and better connectivity using technologies
like GPS and 3G is the way ahead. It also means netbooks need to have better
processor capacity to handle these new technologies.
LONGER BATTERY
LIFE
Netbooks
have left laptops and notebooks way behind with its solid battery life and
upgradeable lithium-Ion battery packs, but they face a stiffer challenge where
longevity is concerned. Most handheld devices give you as much as a day of
battery life to work with, while a netbook averages around 4-5 hours. As all
other specifi cations on netbooks improve, battery life will take a beating if
the technology doesn’t get better with time.
BETTER DIMENSIONS
If
netbooks are to continue existing in the on-the-go
genre of computing devices, they need to
compete with devices that are shrinking by the
day.
While netbooks come with screen sizes between 7
and 13 inches and 75% to 85% smaller keyboards, they
can get smaller still without compromising
