2009 Netbook Buying Guide Great Deals Abound This Holiday Season for Netbooks

Managing your Office www.plaintiffmagazine.com

DECEMBER 2009

2009 Netbook Buying Guide Great deals abound this holiday season for netbooks. Check out the features and benefits before you buy.

BY MICHAEL MORTIMER that includes: Windows XP; a hard drive; at least 1GB of RAM, upgradeable to 2GB; a network connection; a 10” So let’s talk about the 2009 must-have electronic de TFT display; Bluetooth and WiFi; Web camera; small vice: the netbook computer. This article will provide form factor; compact and light weight; and include one everything you need to know to make an informed pur of the faster netbook processors. chase, whether buying a netbook for yourself or giving a Why a netbook? Mortimer few as gifts. First things first, understand that a netbook should What’s a netbook computer? not function as a replacement for a notebook computer; A relative recently asked for some tips on buying a it lacks certain elements that a notebook has, for exam netbook computer. During our conversation he asked, ple, a super fast processor. Nevertheless, netbooks are “Aren’t netbooks really just great at performing most any task a lawyer would require small notebook computers?” from a computer. About 18 months ago my an Why get a netbook computer? Here’s a quick list of swer would have been “no” reasons why you should consider the purchase: because back then netbooks • Law Office functions: Netbooks can perform most law were extremely limited de office tasks. Word processing, database management, re vices in terms of specifica search, case file management, time keeping, surfing the tions, configuration and Net, and even jury presentations can all be performed on functionality. a netbook. And as more and more clients are using net- Fast forward to 2009. books to conduct video conferencing with lawyers, net- Netbooks can now accurately books with built-in Webcams perform this function be described as extremely perfectly. small notebook computers. • Portability: This is perhaps the main reason to get a Today’s netbooks come netbook. Typically weighing under three pounds, the equipped with so many good netbook is easily toted in a briefcase, backpack or stowed ies that a few years ago such in luggage. The netbook has a small footprint that looks machines would have cost right at home placed on an airline meal tray. $2000 or more (as compared First computer: Netbooks are low priced but complex/ to today’s netbook street prices that range from $250 to sophisticated devices. This makes the netbook a great $450). first computer for family members; In 2007, a netbook was true to its heritage and part Student use: The biggest market for netbooks is the of its new name. A netbook was a device limited to con college and university campus. Many students now have necting to the Net, checking e-mails, downloading files netbooks instead of notebooks, unless they simply can’t and performing rudimentary computer functions such as afford either device. Look around a college class, and word processing. But today, a $350 netbook computer you see netbooks on desktops rather than notepaper; can function similarly in many ways to a notebook com Don’t Be A Loser: Unless you want to be branded a puter. hat-in-hand loser by peers, friends, loved ones, judges, In 2009, you might ask if there is a standard spec or opposing counsel and colleagues, you need to get a “default configuration” for a netbook? Yes. Today if a fancy-pants netbook immediately, if not sooner (OK, I computer manufacturer hopes to sell netbooks, it has to made up this reason, I just wanted to see if you are pay make sure that the netbook is in fact a mini computer ing attention).

DECEMBER 2009

Some history tached to it; made the netbook capable of OK, let’s talk specifications and con performing popular or common com figuration: Netbooks today got their conceptual puter functions rather than limiting the • Outdated unit: There are still lots of beginnings back in the 1990s when man device to performing mostly as an Inter mid-2008 netbooks being sold online at ufacturers sold electronic devices whose net-only appliance; made the netbook ca outlet sites and even mainstream retailers. functions were limited to browsing the pable of running Microsoft XP Home Be careful. These netbooks look similar to Net, checking e-mails and downloading Premium (consumers understood MS XP later models, and the prices are tempt files that one might find during a brows and how to use it); and religiously kept ingly low (sometimes $250). One example ing session. the price point from $300 to $350 (the is the ASUS netbooks that first went on In the beginning the devices were tanking economy helped propel interest sale. The units with an SSD and Linux defined as “Internet appliances” or “Net in netbooks. Once consumers looked over (see below) externally look exactly the terminals.” Some looked like answering netbooks and realized, “Hey, this is actu same as the company’s newer units that machines with a color or monochrome ally a super, low-priced, small notebook contain a hard disk and Windows XP. display. Others were designed to sit on computer,” the hook was set and deal Why am I bad-mouthing last year’s top of a TV, and it would use the televi sealed). netbook? The “fossil” is horrible for law sion screen as a computer monitor of In late 2008 ASUS’s competitors office/lawyer use, mainly because they are sorts. and desktop/notebook manufacturers extremely limited (the netbook, not the Consumers knew that a “Net appli witnessed ASUS’s netbook success. With lawyer). Consider that these old netbooks ance” meant the device was extremely tanking sales of flagship units, everyone have a solid state disk drive (SSD) and limited in terms of what one could do in the business saw netbooks as their sav not a hard disk. While a solid state disk with it. The trade-off on using a limited ior. So now in 2009 we have all computer drive might sound cool, those drives are device was that even Grandma could op manufacturers rushing to market with NOT the same as current SSD’s coming erate a Net appliance when, for example, one to five netbooks for your considera to market. Nope, those SSD’s are more she needed to keep up with her online tion. Frankly put, the netbook has saved like giant flash drives 4GB to 16GB in dating prospects. many a computer manufacturer’s butt. size. Trouble is, that’s all the space you The netbook’s predecessors were a On most manufacturer balance sheets get; you can’t upgrade the drive. Com huge flop. Many models came and went, netbook sales have compensated for pare that with a 2009 netbook that costs usually within months of a product’s losses in other computer categories. $300, that come with 160GB hard disks. debut. To be sure, do you know anyone (4GB versus 160GB, is there a debatable who used one of those Internet appli Buying Tips – What to avoid issue here?) ances? I don’t. I can’t recall going over to Other limitations: the first ASUS someone’s house and seeing an Internet Netbooks have become so similar in models also came with less RAM, typically appliance in operation. Everyone had an terms of features, configuration and func 512MB. And units came with a Linux op “unlimited,” so to speak, desktop or tionality that all you really need to do is erating system instead of Windows XP. notebook computer. While cool in con be careful not to accidentally buy an old (With only 4GB to 16GB of “hard disk” cept, the Net appliance was a bust (inter machine with outdated specs. Before the space to fool with, Linux was used to save estingly no matter the manufacturer or holiday season, low price was a good way space taken up by the netbook’s operat how big the name behind the product). to detect the outdated junk. Back then ing system.) Fast forward to late 2007-early 2008 (meaning a month ago, LOL) the easiest Since we lawyers love proof and when computer maker ASUS (roughly way to get into trouble was to buy on proving intent/conduct to support an ar pronounced “aces”) gambled by resur price alone. If you bought a netbook sim gument, consider this. On seeing that recting the concept of the Internet appli ply because it was a super low price, there consumers wanted netbooks, but not the ance, except this time around, in my was a good chance you would end up buy limited machines it was selling, ASUS opinion, ASUS did five things that caused ing an outdated, lousy netbook. immediately stopped making its “SSD/ netbook computer sales to take off in With holiday price cuts, you have to Linux” netbooks and ramped up manu 2008, and in 2009 to become the hottest be even more careful since low price no facture of netbooks containing a hard selling computer device. longer indicates a machine is outdated. disk, 1GB RAM and Windows XP. What ASUS did right: Coined or Super Bonus Tip: If you receive a marketed the name “netbook PC”; made netbook for Christmas, compare its specs Buying Tips – What to look for the netbook look, feel and operate like a with those I describe in here. If yours is full-sized notebook computer – no more not what you want, exchange the netbook Like any electronic device for lawyers answering machines with a monitor at for a model that pleases you. I submit that there are things you need

DECEMBER 2009

on a netbook and features/specs you don’t • Battery: Netbooks typically have 3-cell these units are $250 or less, no one wants need. Fortunately this always translates batteries. That might give you a couple them. into saving money because a law office hours use with aggressive power saving Generally, most netbooks come with does not need the latest and greatest in settings. If you want to use the netbook a 120GB to 160GB hard disk. This is technology. on a plane or in a classroom, plan on buy plenty of space on which to install all There are so many netbook configu ing a 6-, 9- or 12-cell extended battery. your law office software and case files. rations and styles nowadays, it is impossi • Processor: There’s talk all over the Net Older drives are slower than newer disks. ble to discuss in detail the full range of about processors, which is the fastest, Check the specs and see if the hard disk features, components and specs that you which is better, etc. I find that for law of speed is at least 5,400 RPM. Slower might consider when making a purchase. fice or college use, the processor does not drives, such as 4,200 RPM may slow down However, there has now evolved a “typical make all that much difference. your netbook. configuration” for netbooks, meaning that That said, most netbooks have either • DVD-RW or ROM: I am not aware of all netbooks should have the following: 1.6-GHz or 1.66-GHz Intel Atom CPUs. any netbook that comes with an internal • Size and Design: All netbooks now look For a while HP was using VIA processors. (built-in) DVD drive. If one was included like mini notebooks. They come in differ IMHO all of these are plenty fast for law this would compromise the small form ent colors, but flat black is the most com office use. factor that is a characteristic of the net- mon. Netbooks are typically about • RAM: All newer netbooks (late 2008 book. If you need an optical drive, exter one-inch thick and about the size of an 2009) come with 1GB of RAM. Most can nal USB-powered DVD drives can be had 8.5” x 11” piece of paper. Netbooks be upgraded to 2GB (and no more). One for less than $50 on the Net. (eBay is a weigh about 2.7 to 3 pounds. GB of RAM runs Windows XP Home Pre good source.) • Screen: Because netbooks have a small mium fine. But if you intend to run Win • WiFi - Wireless: When at the airport, form factor, the displays range in size dows 7, plan on upgrading to 2GB RAM Starbuck’s, college campus and now even from about 9 inches to 11 inches. Nowa (for about $50). the courthouse, connecting to a wireless days, however, most netbooks’ displays • Operating system: Windows XP Home is network requires your netbook to have a are 10 inch. *IMHO 10” has become the the “default” operating system on net- WiFi receiver/transmitter. Fortunately, all typical and accepted display size. books nowadays. IMHO if a netbook netbooks come with built-in WiFi. It is so Warning: Small 9-inch displays with comes with Linux I would pass on buying common it is not a noteworthy feature high resolution graphics (say 1280 x 800) that machine and move on to considera nowadays; it’s simply expected and as are difficult to view what is on the screen, tion of another model/manufacturer who sumed that a netbook has WiFi. unless you have great eyesight. So keep offers XP on the netbook. • Bluetooth: This is not as common a fea that in mind. The screens look fantastic, Update: Last week I purchased Win ture as WiFi, but many netbooks nowa but if you wear glasses and even then dows 7 Home Premium upgrade for $29. days come with Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a have difficulty focusing on small graphics, I just installed the OS on my Lenovo S10 low power radio transmitter that allows netbooks with a 9-inch display should be netbook that has the “default configura you to operate certain equipment con avoided. tion” I mention herein, including 1GB of nected wirelessly to your netbook. Blue- • Keyboard: Netbooks are smaller than RAM. The netbook runs nicely. tooth can be used to connect to a printer, notebooks so you have to make do with a And what I said previously in Plain mouse, keyboard, or cell phone. The de smaller keyboard. But most netbooks with tiff magazine about Windows 7 has vice operating on Bluetooth has to be a 10-inch display have enough space to proven accurate. Without going into de placed 10 feet or less from the netbook. include an OK keyboard. Typically net- tail take my word for it, Win 7 is like get • USB 2.0 ports: Netbooks contain at book keyboards are described as 3/4 or 75 ting a 40 percent contingent fee on a $5 least two, but companies like ASUS give percent of the size of full-size keyboards. million personal injury settlement. Vista you three. Simply make sure you can type on the is like receiving a statutorily limited 13 • VGA port: Most netbooks include a 15 model you are considering. percent attorney fee realized from a pin VGA monitor port. This is simply an Try out a netbook by typing for a few $10,000 workers’ comp case that you have old-style monitor port. This is handy days. If you don’t like the feel of the key been working on for two years. when you want to connect the netbook to board, return the netbook for a refund or • Hard Drive/SSD: I mentioned that you an external video projector or screen to exchange. should avoid any netbook with a solid give presentations, access the Net and Touchpad: Also try out the touchpad state disk drive. This usually means the project the browser onto a screen, etc. (mouse). If you don’t like how it feels, re netbook, even if it’s at a bargain price, is • Webcam (.3 MP standard): Some net- turn the netbook. extremely outdated. There’s a reason books have a Webcam; some don’t. These

DECEMBER 2009

are handy if you like to make Skype video rience. For example, while you may think netbook ventures into notebook pricing. calls, for example. All Webcams are low that American built cars get lots of com Remember, one of the traits or “features” resolution. This is so the processor can plaints, you can search for complaints of netbooks is the low price one pays for handle the video and also so you don’t about a Toyota 4Runner and there will be this “mini PC computer.” If considering waste bandwidth with your calls. some really bad sounding experiences paying $400 for a netbook, one can • SD/MMC Card Reader: This takes the people have had with that SUV, despite spend a little more and get a nicely place of the floppy drive of the old days. the fact that the 4Runner is one of the equipped notebook computer. While this is not really a deal breaker if a finest SUVs out there. If you find com For example, about two months ago I netbook does not have an SD card reader, plaints on a netbook you are considering, helped a friend shop at Office Depot for it’s handy if one is built into the machine. search around to make sure the com a notebook computer. After an instant Newer netbooks will have an SD card plaints are consistent. That would tell you $100 and $50 mail-in rebates, she ended reader. the netbook model is one to avoid. up paying $450 for an HP G60-440US • Warranty: Obviously duration is impor notebook with the following configura tant. While most manufacturers warrant A word about price tion: 320GB hard disk; 3GB RAM; netbooks for one year (what appears to be Because of the poor economy and Vista Home Premium; 16” High-Def the new default warranty period on any the upcoming holidays, pricing needs this Widescreen display; 8X dual layer DVD electronic device), consider buying a net- separate section to emphasize what I am RW drive; and all the standard features, book at CostCo. That store increases the about to say. Warning: This is my opin such as a built-in card reader, Bluetooth, warranty period for an additional year (so ion. WiFi and network WLAN. With specs like you get a two-year warranty) and they I predict that prices for netbooks, these, for $450, why spend $400 for a also have a 90-day full refund return pol with the above configuration, will be dirt netbook? icy. (That’s how it is with LCD TVs, so I cheap this holiday season. I suspect that Conclusion assume it would be the same for comput in December you will see unheard-of ers. But check on this before making your prices and sales at Best Buy, Office The time is right to get a netbook. buying decision.) Depot, Staples and online stores. But do me a favor. Promise to hold out, to • Complaints and reviews: Before buying, I predict that you will be able to get a resist, and to not fall prey to some sucker I’d check the Net to see what actual users great netbook for $200 to $300. I would deal out there. have to say about the netbook model you search around on the Net for the best Compare local and online ads with are considering. Good sources are on deal. what I have listed in this article. When Amazon.com – on the pages where a If you are adventurous, you can look you see that a netbook has all the features product is listed for sale there are reviews. on your local craigslist for deals. I pur and specs I list, and is for sale at $300 or Reviews are detailed and often well writ chased a mint condition Lenovo S10, in less, snap it up immediately, if not sooner. ten; epinions.com – a very good site that the box, with 2GB of RAM, 160GB hard *IMHO: Webspeak for In My Honest Opinion has user opinions (they don’t sell stuff on disk and the goodies described above, all epinions); and Google – in the search for only $220! Michael Mortimer is a federal trial field enter something like Dell [netbook So hold out for the best deal. I would lawyer with offices in San Francisco and model number] complaint and see what NOT pay more than $300 for a super author of two upcoming books: Welcome to comes up. nice netbook this holiday season. the World of Big Time Litigation and An Bonus Tip: No matter the product, I also would NOT under any circum In Camera Guide For Lawyers – From there is always going to be someone, stances pay more than $400 for a net- Underwear to Appellate Briefs. You can somewhere who has had a negative expe book. I say this because at $400+ the reach him at [email protected].