Good Enough IV

August 3, 2009

acer-aspire-one-751-netbook-image It struck me today while using my netbook that economy computers have reached that baseline of being good enough at more than the minimum set of tasks. With their very portable size and impressively growing battery life these minimally powered laptops can meet the needs of many folks.

The interesting thing to me is how we continuously discover how we really only need the basics. In the age when we’ve pushed computing hardware to levels that we never imagined, the utility of a basic computing platform is quite impressive. Because we’ve pushed the upper end so aggressively, the side affect is the low end has benefited in reductions in power requirements and size.

Making these low end systems so useful is the way they’ve been packaged into great “mini” laptops. Whether they’re a 9”, 10” or even the larger 12” models that stretch the definition of “netbook”, the ultra portability of a 2 to 3 lbs. laptop is a game changer. It’s just another case of less being more.

Of course, they can’t do everything. In fact, they really are only good for the basics as I mentioned. Anything more than web browsing, email, reading, and some light office apps like spreadsheets, word processing, and presentations. If you need much more than that, you’ll quickly find the limits of these systems.

However, therein lies the catch, the majority of the work done is in this basic range of computing tasks. Writing ideas out, answering email, reading news and information, keeping in touch… the bulk of what we do can be done with a netbook. Especially if you’re a web worker since most everything one does is web-based anyway.

While I’m not suggesting that netbooks will be the main computer for the majority of folks, I know some will be tempted to try.

Good enough. This is where good design and reasonable feature sets reign. The benefit of a simple, cohesive design with a feature set that meets the expectations of the user can be quite successful.

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Categories: computers & internet, hardware

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  • bpoOutsourcing
    I am planning to buy a laptop and my budget is not that big. I want a laptop that has a large memory space but in an affordable price. I am torn between HP and Asus. Which do you think is the best?
  • Honestly, you can't loose either way. Personally I'd go HP, but that's only based on a personal preference. I've never owned either an Asus or HP - mainly because I'm usually a Dell guy. The HP and Asus are both darn good machines. Asus might have a few more features for the price though.
  • It sure makes sense to me that as everything evolves and improves with technology, baseline technologies would also improve. I guess the gap between the "bare minimum" and "top of the line" is closing.
  • And quickly! Since I picked up this guy, Acer has a Intel Core2 Solo version! That one would be quite cool.
  • airhorn
    Question.

    How do you choose a laptop that you will buy?
    I mean. What is important in buying a laptop?
  • Honestly, it really depends on your needs. Large screen? Small price? Light weight? Mac or Windows? Its up to you to decide.
  • The key is being clear on what you'll be using it for. Once you know that, the decision shouldn't be too hard. Thanks for sharing your insights.
  • "With their very portable size and impressively growing battery life these minimally powered laptops can meet the needs of many folks."

    Competition in the market sets out a good quality standard even for economy computers. Aren't you glad?
  • "Making these low end systems so useful is the way they’ve been packaged into great “mini” laptops."

    Mini laptops are definitely useful if you've found one that's best for your purpose and objectives. Low-end gadgets such as these can definitely make any person more mobile.
  • You make a good point that folks should consider with these low-cost units. They are very similar, but all have some unique qualities. A new buyer should check them out at their local electronics purveyor if possible to see what's best for them.
  • I agree that netbooks/laptops are something that can be used very easily and very common. But they're not best what can be offered to mobile user. It's just a one small step on a ladder taking to virtual reality. All we have to get are specific glasses and a tool, maybe mixed with nervous system, maybe with eye-muscles. And every little piece of technology will be available via miniaturized chips settled on ordinary clothes. That is something I wait for.
  • Well, that would make it more mobile. Not sure if I'm ready for that any more. Fun stuff though.
  • seocopywriting
    “However, therein lies the catch, the majority of the work done is in this basic range of computing tasks. Writing ideas out, answering email, reading news and information, keeping in touch… the bulk of what we do can be done with a netbook.”

    I have been trying to decide whether I should purchase a netbook or a laptop. Your post really helped me decide since I am only doing basic computing.
  • Glad that I could help! One last tip - make sure that you're ok with the lower performance - it is noticible. Also, the newer wide-screen (HD) models seem to have the slower Atom Z520 processors and most of the others the Atom 270/280 processors. The 270/280 is slightly faster. Good luck!
  • Many of us are actually tech junkie. We buy all those exorbitantly priced gadgets like cellphones or laptops but only use the basic programs like email, a little of word processing and more of web browsing. The specs you put in... well, forget about it. Let's all be grateful of the crisis, because in many ways it actually taught us to be a wiser consumer.
  • I have wanted to own a netbook for a long time. What OS do you use? How different is it from a regular notebook in terms of features and apps installed? I've heard Google's OS will be great for netbooks.
  • Raymund, on this netbook I've tried a number of OSes. It shipped with Windows Vista Home Basic, and I've tried Windows 7 RC and Ubuntu 9.04 as well. I haven't been able to successfully install Windows XP from a USB stick (which hurts my inner geek), so I can't say if that would be faster or not in this case.

    Out of the three OSes I've tried, I have to honestly say that Vista Home Basic works best right now. Mostly because optimized drivers are running on Vista, and they are not available for Windows 7 & Ubuntu... yet.

    If I get a chance to borrow a USB CD-ROM drive, I'll install XP and will be able to compare that a bit. Until then - it's Vista.
  • DIY
    I only use a powerful machine for programing and editing images. For all web surfing, streaming, writing I use a (cheapish) laptop. Works fine.

    I had a friend who spent £1700 on a powerful pc, and had nothing to use it for. He played all his games on his PlayStation.
  • DIY, that doesn't sound too uncommon as many people like to have "the best" that they can afford. While there are cool features out there, most folks don't really use the power and features that they've paid for. If not a netbook, a lower-end, less expensive laptop can fill the bill.

    However, graphic designers, videographers, and many other professionals really do need the power a more expensive laptop will offer. They should know what they need I guess.
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