Mini laptops, also known as netbooks, have recently hit the market and have been a craze because of how small and portable they are. However, they were created to give users ease to surf the Internet and nothing else. While word processing is possible, it's not likely that a user with a mini laptop is going to be able to install a new computer game and begin playing. The hardware inside the computer would be unable to handle it.
The Pros to a Mini Laptop
One of the main pros is the size. While a laptop is much smaller and more portable than a desk top, they can still be somewhat bulky. The mini laptop defeats this problem. With the size so small, one can carry it as if it were a book without worry of it causing fatigue. This is especially beneficial for a writer who might need a change of environment. Different netbooks have different sizes, but most of them are very small.
Another pro is the cost. For $300-$400, you can have one of these netbooks fully operational and ready to be used. And because it comes with the latest version of Windows installed and the Windows Office Suite, it is definitely a solid purchase for someone looking to be economical.
Add on the fact that the battery life on one of these can be as high as six hours long and it's no wonder people are looking to buy them. They're small, they're cheap and they last a long time: the exact thing that someone who is on the go a lot and travels a lot would desperately need to stay connected.
The Cons to a Mini Laptop
The size. Since it is so small, there really isn't much you can do in regard to entertainment. Watching a movie is possible, but watching one on an eight inch screen is not what many would consider fun and entertaining. On top of that, because it is so small, it doesn't have the space for strong components. Therefore, the small processor and memory inside is all you can get to run the computer.
Storage is very limited on one of these. To use this as a main laptop would be a bad idea, but if it was an absolute must, an investment in an external hard drive of a decent size would be necessary. This way, you could store documents on it without over burdening your small hard drive built into the laptop.
Finally, there is no optical drive. Because of the size, there's no way to insert CDs or DVDs into the computer. While you can easily buy an external reader and plug that into the laptop, this results in the laptop no longer having its pro of being so small. Since you'd have to carry so many components around, it only contributes to the size being a con as well as a pro.
