Defined by it's small size, light weight, low price, horsepower, and operating system, Netbooks are becoming very popular. But are Netbooks ready for \"Prime Time\" business use?

Netbooks run either Windows XP Home edition or Linux (not only is Linux unfamiliar to many, but the versions of Linux on Netbooks are not the mainstream popular distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, or Red Hat). They do not run XP Professional, Vista, or Apple OS X. Microsoft arbitrarily restricts Netbooks from running the Professional Edition of Windows XP Professional. Likewise, Apple arbitrarily restricts OS X to Apple hardware and it has never played in the low-end realm that Netbooks occupy. Windows Vista requires too much horsepower to run on a Netbook.

Basic Netbook Spec:

Screen Size: 9 to 10 inches

Screen Resolution: Up to 1024x600

Processor: Intel Atom processor

Ram: Up to 1 gig

Storage: Up to 16 gigs (several models use ram drives instead of mechanical hard drives)

Price Point: Between $300 - $400

Interface: Usually a Ethernet port and/or WiFI

Operating System: Windows XP Home or Unknown Linux Desktop Distribution

Wow! Sounds Interesting! Specially the Price!

But are Netbooks ready to replace Laptops in Business or Corporate Networks???

According to Gartner Group analyst Leslie Fiering, “Netbooks are coming in as a 'second laptop' that workers are buying  themselves". It would be very surprising at this time if Netbooks were taken seriously as laptop replacements. After all, Netbooks run on Linux desktop operating systems or Windows XP Home. Linux does not run Microsoft Office, the flagship of business desktop applications, and nobody should be running XP Home on a business network for security reasons.

There are a few Netbook exceptions such as the HP 2140 Minithe,  the Acer Aspire One, Lenovo S10, and the Asus N10, ... that are more business-friendly  priced between $450.00 and $650.00. Buy why bother! At that price range you could buy a good laptop running XP Pro, Vista Business, and all of your corporate  sanctioned software.

Netbooks - Why Not:

1. Small Screen Resolution: Netbooks have either a 9\" or 10\" screen with a maximum resolution of 1024x600 VS a laptop with 14" to 17" screens and minimum 
1024x800. Netbook limited screen resolution makes it difficult for modern program applications and Web pages to work. And it is more than the pain of extra 
scrolling on a Netbook. Many of these applications, web pages, and pop-up screens will lock up a Netbook, or present an unclickable dialog box. The box may 
say "Click here to continue" but you can't see the click button. Typically, Netbook users running business apps end up rebooting their Netbooks many times to 
complete some simple tasks resulting in data corruption and a very frustrated Netbook user experience.

2. Itsy Bitsy Keyboard: Business users that do even a modest amount of typing may "go postal on you" trying to type on that itsy bitsy keyboard. The keys are 
smaller, closer together, and lack the touch, feel, and endurance of their business laptop counterparts.

Another major issue is that the keyboard is not a standard layout. Some keys may appear in a different place; some keys may require the pressing of a "fn" 
(function key) to access; some of the keys may be missing all together. This results in more productivity drain and user frustration.

3. Multitasking - What Multitasking: The Netbook standard Intel Atom processors with 1 gig of ram can run one application pretty good. But make one of your 
apps MS Outlook and anything else, or a large Excel spreadsheet and anything else, plus your AntiVirus software, and your are in for a long day!

Summation: Netbooks might good since for an entry-level home computer. But when it comes to the office, leave it at home!