What is mini notebook?

A mini notebook is a class of laptop computers which have smaller size and thus lighter weight than typical notebooks. People call mini notebooks by other names such subnotebooks, netbooks, mobile Internet devices, and laptots. These ultra-compact portables have become hot sellers since Asus introduced its first Eee PC.

These computers vary in models and prices. You can find high end high capability models of $2,000 to low end low capability models of $250. Mini notebooks generally run full desktop operating systems such as Windows or Linux, rather than specialized software such as Windows CE, Palm OS or Internet Tablet OS.

Mini notebooks are available in various screen sizes (less than 14 inches) and weight (less than 2 kg). These size and weight savings are achieved partly by omitting ports or having removable media or optical drives. Many mini notebooks can be paired with docking stations to compensate.

Why Mini Notebook? What are the Benefits?

1. Mini notebooks are easy to carry. Most mini notebooks weigh only 1.3 kg due to their small sizes. You can go anywhere carrying these computers more often without feeling overburdened.

2. Mini notebooks are fully functioning computers since most of them feature standard functions the way conventional laptops do. You can find features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, multiple USB ports, webcam, VGA out port, and Ethernet.

3. Mini notebooks are ussually inexpensive. Some mini notebooks (Asus EEE PC, MSI Wind, Acer Aspire One) do not cost as much as laptops do. The price of mini notebooks varies between $350 and $500. The high end mini notebooks (Toshiba, Sony, Dell) capable of high performance can cost much though.

Despite those benefits, mini notebooks come with some compromises still. You may find limited usefulness in them such as slower streaming videos. In some mini notebooks, the battery life may be quite disappointing.