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Netbook

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Black ASUS Eee PC in proportional comparison with a packet of tissues

A netbook is a light-weight, low-cost, energy-efficient, highly portable laptop that achieves these parameters by offering fewer features, less processing power[1] and reduced ability to run resource-intensive operating systems (e.g., Windows Vista).[1]

Suitable for web browsing, email, and general purpose applications, netbooks are targeted increasingly at users accessing web-based applications, also known as Cloud computing[2], that do not require intensive resources available on the client computer.[2]

Although specifications and features of netbooks are highly variable, one report at the end of 2008 suggested the typical netbook featured a 3-lb (1.4 kg) weight, a 9-inch (23 cm) screen, wireless Internet connectivity, Microsoft Windows XP, an Intel chip, and a cost of less than US$400.[3] Another report in early 2009 suggested that more than 80% of netbooks ship with Windows, in contrast to less than 10% when the netbooks first went on sale.[4]

History

Led by the popularization of small-form-factor laptops by Asus and then others, the term 'netbook' became a widely used and genericized[5][6] industry classification rather than a reference to a particular product. By April 2008, Intel had begun officially using the term netbook to recognize a specific sub-category of laptops.[7][8]

The term had existed previously– although related to specific products rather than a category of laptops:

  • Psion in 1999 had used the product name 'netbook', and in 2008 claimed trademark rights to the term where used in a product name.[9][10]
  • MSI had registered the product name Wind Netbook.[11]
  • Coby Electronics had registered the product name Coby Netbook.[12]

The influx of small form factor laptops categorized as netbooks began in 2007, when Asus unveiled the Intel Celeron-based ASUS Eee PC running a customised version of Linux with a 7-inch (18 cm) color screen.[8] These netbooks measured 8.9 × 6.5 in (23 x 17 cm), featured less-than-full-sized keyboards, and could be customized by users to run alternate operating systems.

In mid February 2008, Everex launched its VIA chipset based CloudBook, running gOS. The CloudBook is based on the VIA nanobook reference design. In contrast to its closest competitor, the Eee PC, the CloudBook has a hard disk drive.

In June 2008, MSI launched the MSI Wind including Bluetooth, a 10" (25 cm) LED, backlit, 1024x600 screen, and an Intel Atom processor — the first netbook to offer the processor.

A number of other netbooks followed, and by late 2008, Netbooks had begun to take market share away from laptops[13] and sales are projected to increase up to 50 million by the year 2012.[14] In Q3 2008, netbook sales overtook iPhone sales by 900,000 units.[15]

It is estimated that 11.4 million netbooks were sold in 2008, up from 400,000 in 2007[16]. For 2009, sales are expected to grow 189% to 21.5 million[16].

Hardware

The netbook's form factor prioritizes small size and low weight– with a smaller size than a notebook and a typical weight of 2 to 3 lb (about 1 kg). To this end, netbooks typically feature an LCD screen of 7-10 inches (18 - 25 cm), measured diagonally, and a keyboard usually 80 percent to 95 percent of a full-sized laptop's. Netbooks can include wireless connectivity and solid-state drives– and often forego a hard disk drive[17] or optical disc drive.

Software

The pre-installed operating system for a netbook may include a custom version of a GNU/Linux (such as Ubuntu Netbook Remix[18] or Linpus Linux) or Windows XP Home Edition.[19] Advanced users may install other operating systems including other custom versions of Linux or Windows XP Professional.

Netbooks may be able to run full office applications; however, users also may rely on applications and services available on the Internet– known as cloud computing– which require less powerful hardware[20] on the local computer.

In April 2008, Microsoft extended availability of Windows XP from June, 2008 until June, 2010.[21]– when deployed on ultra-low cost personal computers (ULCPCs)[22]– possibly to deter netbooks from gaining market share at the expense of full-featured desktops and laptops[23] and deter increased use of Linux installations on netbooks.[24]

Microsoft qualifies ultra-low cost personal computers (ULCPCs) as systems matching the following hardware classification requirements:[25]

  • Memory: Shipped with 1 GB RAM or less
  • Screen: 10.2 inches (26 cm) or smaller
  • Storage: 80 GB (although this limit seems to be increased up to 160 GB for HDD by now) or 16 GB SSD
  • No tablet PC functionality
  • DirectX version 9 graphics processing unit (GPU) or below
  • Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) S4 sleep state is optional

Overall, the Linux market share on netbooks has increased over notebooks, especially in Europe where the demand is higher for Linux.[26][27]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Netbooks.
Look up netbook in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

References

  1. ^ a b "Cheap PCs Weigh on Microsoft". Business Technologies, The Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Disruptors: The 'netbook' revolution". Fortune Magazine, Michael Copeland, October 16, 2008.
  3. ^ "Tech's hope in 2009 - or curse?". Fortune Magazine, December 24, 2008, Jon Fortt.
  4. ^ "High-Tech Companies Take Up Netbooks". The Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2008, Don Clark and Justin Scheck.
  5. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/psion-says-its-only-going-after-those-profiting-from-the-term/
  6. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2008/dec/24/psion-netbook-threats
  7. ^ "Thoughts on Netbooks". Intel.com, Paul Bergevin, March 03, 2008.
  8. ^ a b [ttp://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/news/2008/04/04/Intel-Sets-Out-Netbook-and-Nettop-Plans/p1 "Intel Sets Out Netbook and Nettop Plans"]. Trustedreviews.com, Edward Chester, 4th Apr 2008.
  9. ^ http://jkontherun.com/2008/12/23/netbook-enthusiast-web-sites-getting-c-d-using-term-netbook/
  10. ^ http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/release?id=16302
  11. ^ http://register.boip.int/bmbonline/details/trademark/show.do?markID=2571557&markNumberType=EUR&markNumber=7254618
  12. ^ http://jkontherun.com/2008/12/29/coby-netbook-oh-yes-they-did-apply-for-a-trademark/
  13. ^ Ian Lamont (2008-10-04). ""Netbooks" Move Up In Notebook Rankings". Slashdot. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  14. ^ Nicole Kobie (2008-08-12). "Netbook sales to top 50 million by 2012". PC Pro. Retrieved 2008-10-23.
  15. ^ NetBookBoards.com (2008-12-12). ""Netbook" Sales Overtake iPhone Sales". Retrieved 2008-12-10.
  16. ^ a b Analysis: Did Intel underestimate netbook success?, accessed at 10 january 2009 Cite error: The named reference "ee2009-01-10" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  17. ^ http://news.cnet.com/8301-13554_3-10063963-33.html
  18. ^ http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080818-dells-eee-killer-to-ship-with-ubuntu-preinstalled.html
  19. ^ http://news.cnet.com/8301-13953_3-10069777-80.html
  20. ^ http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/151950/shoot_for_the_clouds.html
  21. ^ Windows Life-Cycle Policy
  22. ^ Microsoft Announces Extended Availability of Windows XP Home for ULCPCs, April 3, 2008 Press release
  23. ^ Microsoft to limit capabilities of cheap laptops, IT World May 12, 2008
  24. ^ News – Computerworlduk - The latest, breaking IT news, reviews and analysis on Google, Yahoo, Facebook, AOL, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe Reader, IBM, Open Source
  25. ^ Windows XP Logo Program
  26. ^ http://mobile.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/11/08/1842212
  27. ^ http://blog.laptopmag.com/asus-ceo-reveals-eee-pc-sales-numbers-plans-for-touch-eee-pcs-and-more-eee-family-products
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