Anything smaller makes net browsing and keyboard typing (especially if you have large fingers) cumbersome and beside there’s no real portability difference between a 7″ and an 10″ netbook. There seem to be no major price differences either. Gizmodo Australia ran a survey and the majority of respondents thinks that 10″ netbooks is the way to go.

See: Are Netbooks Too Small?

The New York Times comes to rescue thankfully and breaks it down in an easy to understand format. Computing Without a Whirring Drive

The Gateway LT1001G netbook that I wrote about a few days ago now has its own product page and pic. Click on photo above for more.

These types of headlines* are starting to annoy me. iPhone is a brand name and netbook is a category name. Why not compare netbooks to smartphones or the iPhone to the Aspire One (the best selling netbook in Q3 2008?)

Then we can really make real comparisons.

* Netbooks Now More Popular Than iPhone 

More “niche” netbooks sold in 3Q2008 than iPhones

Netbooks sell more than iPhones this summer

“Netbooks  are defined as clamshell notebooks with 7in to 10.2in screens, “purpose built for internet use“. – Read more: Intel Explains MID, Netbook Definitions

"Netbooks" by Dell (from left), Asus, Acer, MSI and Lenovo. (By Rob Pegoraro -- The Washington Post)

This cool pic was taken from a Washing Post article on netbooks. It answers two questions: How little laptop is enough? And how few dollars will it cost you? 

GigaOm put together an article showcasing some applications that can get any job done but do not require great processing power. Check it out at: 10 Ways To Trick Out Your Netbook for Free

1) Netbooks are cheap

You can but netbooks from $200 dollars if you really pay attention. Netbooks are cheaper versions of laptops because they are smaller, do not require expensive processors to boost performance and they run on an earlier operating system. In plain English, this means that they are designed to do the job without going all out and using all the bells and whistles that mankind has ever created.

2) Netbooks have a high-perceived value

You cannot even begin to imagine the joy of the person to whom you will offer the netbook. “You got me a computer! You’re the best!”.  Computers may have come down in prices after these many years but they still have a perceived value because of what they are able to do. If you really want to win favors from a particular person, offer her or him a netbook and watch them hold you in higher esteem!

Netbooks make better gifts than boxes of candles for instance*

 3) Netbooks are practical

How many holiday presents have you received that are still sitting where you dropped them off after receiving them last holiday season? Exactly… netbooks are practical gifts. People actually will use them and be productive. If the person accomplishes much with it, he or she will credit you for helping in their achievement. Buying a netbook for a precious person this holiday is a sure bet because you know that they’re going to like it and put it to good use right away. (See: 7 Good Reasons to Buy a Netbook over a Laptop Computer)

4) Netbooks are universal pleasers

I could not find the right word to describe what I mean. But to get to my point: everyone knows of somebody for whom it’s difficult to buy a present for. Alternatively, sometimes you don’t know what the person wants or needs. Everyone will benefit from owning a netbook. If they commute to work or school, they will be in heaven. If they have to fight with siblings to use the communal computer, they will be in heaven. If they’re sick and tired of hauling around their heavy laptop, they will be in heaven. And so on. You can buy a netbook for someone who traditionally is hard to please.

5) Netbooks are REALLY cheap

I am no repeating myself. Not only are netbooks naturally cheap (compared to laptops), you can still track them down for way cheaper if you shop around. I wrote about this in two articles that you should get your eyes on right away (How to Find the Best and Cheapest Netbook Deals and Why Refurbished Netbooks Are the Best Cheapest Deals Ever ). You can get really good deals on netbooks and laugh at those who paid the MSRP!

Are you sold on to why netbooks make the best holiday gifts? I sure do hope so. I admit that you can buy one or two before the expenses start accumulating but those who will receive them will love you and suck up to you forever. If you act on this idea and actually do offer a netbook to your loved one, please share their excitement with all of us! 

To get your holiday mini-laptop shopping started, head over to: How to Buy a Netbook

* Photo:  Saquan Stimpson/monstershaq200 0

It’s amazing how the Australian media is on the $0 Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook case. Everyone is on the ball: Sydney Morning Herald, Smart House, The Australian, iTWire, Gizmodo Australia and many more that I don’t have the time to list.

In all fairness, it’s a world’s first so it’s normal that this concept is getting a lot of media attention. I just wonder how it’s going to play out. What happens if the user wants to upgrade after one year (the contract is two years if I remember correctly)?

Anyway, we’ll wait and see.

“Besides the less-than-catchy name, this ultra-portable laptop from Gigabyte features a touch screen display (with LED backlighting) that can rotate 180 degrees to transform from a traditional notebook form factor to a tablet PC. The M912V packs a 1.6GHZ Intel Atom processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, and a 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive offering up to 250GB of storage. ” - Gigabyte unveils 8.9-inch touch screen laptop

But how will that play out with the netbook market? The Wall Street Journal investigates: H-P Mulls Service Bundles for Netbooks (Paid access).

“Just a size comparison between a Dell Inspiron 700M 12.1 inch subnotebook and the (ASUS) Eee PC 1000H, Medion Akoya Mini E1210 [Jay's note: a rebadged MSI WInd really], HP 2133 Mini-Note, Acer Aspire One, [ASUS] Eee PC 900 and [ASUS] Eee PC 701 netbooks”

To entice you, dear consumer, they’re running a few competitions with an Acer Aspire One netbook as one of  the ultimate prizes. You don’t even have to buy anything. You just have to be at the right mall at the right time and just text something to some number and wait to see if you go home with a brand new netbook. Good luck!

“The Fujitsu M1010 is a netbook that optimises connectivity in a pint-sized form factor built for enhanced productivity on-the-go – a pure computing delight for casual users. A great Internet-centric lifestyle product, enjoy user-friendly features and great connectivity in one complete package with this petite number“, goes the original press release (Fujitsu Introduces First Netbook Series – Fujitsu M1010, the Comprehensive Solution for Work and Play.)

Consider this competition by Vodafone UK in which you stand a chance to win a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 netbook which is not a bad mininotebook! I assume that you have to be in the UK of course but rest assured that you will see competitions, offers and other sorts of promotions featuring free netbooks.

Two things: Primo, when you are ahead of time, you are ahead of time. Secundo, if everyone is doing a whack job, who’s stopping you from showing the world how it’s really done?

I will read the article again when I wake up as I am sure that I am missing the plot. I mean, the guy who wrote about the 7 Reasons Netbooks Will Fade Away made sense from the get go…

(Photo: Môsieur J.)

Now, there’s a clear difference between netbooks not going all mainstream à la iPod or supporting Obama and them disappearing à la VHS or William Hung. Anyway, check out the 7 reasons and let me know what you think.

When you’re done reading the Channel Web article, you may want to check out a piece I wrote on the topic before coming across the above article (Are Netbooks a Fad?)