Whether you like it or not, the notion of a  ‘netbook’ has already entrenched itself firmly in the portable devices market. According to the analytical company DisplaySearch, last year the growth of netbooks supplies was 103%, which is equal to a bit more than 33 mln devices.

In 2010 the category of ‘netbooks’ is not going to retreat. The increase by at least 17% in comparison with 2009 is forecasted and if the world economy rises from its knees, the figure will be even higher. Against these figures the achievements of usual laptops impress much less… The last argument in favor of the world’s recognition of netbooks became voluntary ‘capitulation’ of the world-known vendors. If only a few years ago such ‘blue chip’ companies as Sony, HP and Toshibа were looking at the first steps of newly-born ‘babies’ with a scornful smile, today they have to produce netbooks in order not to lose a heavy client sector. What is the secret of such popularity of portable devices? Let’s take a look.

The appearance of netbooks (as a class) would have been impossible without proper technical basis. The minimization of technical processes in microchip development let producers start the production of tiny chips with a surprisingly low level of energy consumption. First of all, we mean the achievements of the Intel company that has literary overwhelmed the market with its Atom processors for the last few years. They are not powerful enough to be used in gaming machines or desktop replacement laptops, however, ‘atomic’ processors are not meant to be used in resource-hungry conditions. Their destiny is to be the heart of netbooks. And in this sphere they have virtually no competitors.

Let’s look at the difference between an average netbook and a laptop. Firstly, they differ in their functional purposes. As it is clear from the name, the main task of a netbook is providing constant access to the Net, which means the ideal netbook must be equipped with all possible means of communication. Secondly, they differ in sizes. A netbook is much lighter and much more compact than a laptop, which (theoretically) lets the owner carry his ‘baby’ easily everywhere.  The third difference arises from the first two ones. Netbooks have nothing excessive. They have lost their weight and have no elements that enlarge their dimensions or energy consumption (for example, DVD drive that repeatedly makes you charge you laptop battery).

As a result, owners of netbooks get a personal computer that doesn’t impress by its powerful constituent parts or autonomous work duration. Their advantages are stylish look, ample ways of connecting to the Net, small sizes and, the most important, price. The cost of some netbooks can be compared with the cost of a common mobile phone. But you get much more for your money.