The small size and small price tag (often in the $200-$300 range) of today’s netbook may have a work at home mom hankering for a mini laptop small enough to pop in her purse. But before you invest in a netbook, think about how you might use it.
While the price of a netbook may make it attractive, keep in mind that most netbooks just don’t have the computing power to replace a work at home mom’s regular desktop or laptop computer. So if you are in need of a new computer, a netbook is not what you want. However, if you need something to help you take your work on the road, a netbook may be just the thing.
Designed for portability, the netbook sacrifice memory, processing speed and extras like a CD/DVD drive in order to conserve battery life and keep the cost and weight to a minimum. So who is—and isn’t—a netbook good for?
A netbook is good for the mom who:
Spends time working outside the home. Who says a home business means you stay home all the time? Your work might take you out on client meetings or to other cities for business travel. Or maybe you work outside the home when you’re trying to squeeze in a few emails while waiting at the pediatrician’s office or for dance class to be over. The flexibility of netbook may allow you to work just about anywhere.
A netbook is NOT good for the mom who:
Only needs to check email or the web occasionally. Email, web browsing and word processing are what a netbook are meant to do. However, a cell phone with an Internet connection or PDA may suffice if you just don’t spend that much time outside the home or it’s a matter of a quick email check and a short reply. But if you send long emails frequently or you make heavy use word processing software while outside the home, a netbook would make it easier to do.
A netbook is good for the mom who:
Uses web-based tools. A netbooks is made for, well, the Net. So if much of your work is done online and very little of the processing is actually done by the computer, then a netbook may be great. And there are a variety of free or low-cost applications and software, like OpenOffice or GoogleApps you can use with a netbook.
A netbook is NOT good for the mom who:
Must do heavy computing tasks. This might include using software programs that can’t be downloaded (no CD/DVD drive), storing and frequently accessing larger files like high-resolution photos or videos and using graphics applications. The netbook with its pared down features just isn't made for this type of computing. Word processing, web browsing and email are what a netbook does best. If your needs go beyond this, better to look for a laptop.
