???It's the teeny tiny competition expected to leave a trail of unused laptops in its wake. Netbooks are lurking in the shadows, ready to take the typical laptop, plentiful on modern college campuses, by storm.
???A netbook is similar to a laptop, only considerably smaller. The 7-to-10 inch screen is the most noticeable difference. Both come complete with USB ports, a webcam, an LCD backlight screen, integrated speakers and WiFi.
???Major manufacturers such as Dell, Sony, HP and Acer are a few of the major names in netbook producers, creating small computers that can fit in almost any backpack or briefcase.
???Most netbooks are built with an Intel Atom processor, one of the smallest and least powerful processors designed specifically for netbook use, according to the Intel Web site. These processors were built to run just enough processing power to allow a small device full Internet capability, word processing software and other small programs.
???Netbooks, unlike laptops, have an extended battery life, according to Marc D. Ankerud, a representative of Computer SOS, Inc., of Buffalo.
???"They have netbooks with lithium polymer batteries, they have a two-cell battery that can run for around four hours," Ankerud said. "I am waiting for companies to make [lithium polymer] six-cell batteries, those could probably run all day with no problem."
???Netbooks are about saving power and running longer on less. Most netbooks have a power-saving design consisting of no moving parts and a solid-state drive, similar to a thumb drive or jump drive.
???"A lot of the netbooks use a solid-state drive, it's got a little bit less space but it's a much better fit than a spinning drive," said Nick Budzilo, a Best Buy representative.
???A netbook does not have the same abilities that a regular sized notebook offers, lacking significant processor speed, memory and graphic performance. For video gamers or multi-media designers, a netbook would not be the best choice.
???Netbooks are much lighter than notebooks, weighing in at under 4 pounds and less than an inch thick.
???"These netbooks are great for students, you can throw one in a pack or bag and carry it around all day and not really notice it. It probably weighs right around the weight of a textbook " Ankerud said.
???To purchase a netbook expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000, depending on the brand and included features and accessories.
???While the reduced size is the machine's biggest draw, it can also be the product's Achilles Heel. When notebooks arrived on the scene, a lot of tech-repair shops would not work on them due to the compact size and liability of something going wrong while in repair, according to Ankerud.
???"We actually haven't had any come back yet [for repair]," Ankerud said. "[Netbooks] have been out for a while now and there hasn't been anything seriously wrong with them."
???One thing to remember about shopping for any electronic devices is the age-old motto - buy it nice or buy it twice. The selection around local shops is minimal, with most stores offering only a few styles on the selling floor.
???As with any purchase, each consumer will need to step back and consider what's truly necessary in his or her computer. For students who want nothing more than the ability to e-mail, socially network and take notes, a netbook will be the popular and pleasing choice.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
