More Netbook Notes

After recent extended use of my Hackintosh netbook, here are more observations.

Battery life is phenomenal! Even with constant writes to the hard drive and wifi connectivity, battery performance has been great. I charge the Dell Mini 10v out of convenience, not from necessity.

Portability. Yes, the netbook form factor really entices you to use this computer just about anywhere. Small, light, and self contained, I’ve moved my 10v more often than my MacBook Pro.

The screen is too small. So Apple’s iApps want a minimal screen size to work optimally, and I understand why. Even at 1024×600 pixels, the netbook screen is much, much too small. iLife barely works due to the screen real estate, but everything else also suffers from a small display. The overall experience of web surfing, creating blog content, and viewing pictures is just not enjoyable on a 10-in screen.

Performance is pokey. But I already knew that going in and just have to be patient. Even short video clips are painfully slow to edit.

I do see how Apple’s iPad is definitely a threat to the netbook market. Although limited in the sense that an iPad is not a full desktop machine, really, neither is a netbook. Sure a netbook looks like a typical computer, but there are shortcomings in expectations. With a tablet-shaped iPad, you know things will be different so your expectations are different.

I’ll reserve final judgment on netbooks since I haven’t had the opportunity to use an iPad for a prolonged time. But I’d say I’m not convinced netbooks are the way to go.