The problem of choosing budget gadgets is becoming increasingly relevant amid inflation, a weak ruble exchange rate and another wave of news about the rise in price of Apple products. Today it is quite possible to purchase a reliable laptop for $ 250-300. The cheapest netbooks and at a lower cost are able to provide the user with the minimum necessary set of functions and act as a mobile solution.
Advantages and disadvantages of netbooks over laptops and desktop computers
Netbooks initially cannot boast of high performance and are primarily intended for web surfing, editing documents in standard office programs, watching movies and performing other simple actions. The correct launch of professional software for image and video processing or demanding games for netbooks is no longer available.
On the other hand, even the cheapest Chinese netbook can literally not be left out of your hands all day: the small size, minimal memory size, and weak characteristics (compared to full-size counterparts) allow you to extend battery life up to 8 hours. So, a subnotebook cannot fully replace a standard portable or stationary computer, but it is quite optimal as an additional mobile device.
“Gentlemen's set” of netbooks: basic characteristics
The cheapest netbooks have similar parameters, and their cost varies depending on brand recognition, design and the presence of additional improvements compared to standard features. So, the “gentleman's set” of the prevailing number of representatives of this class of equipment consists of the following parameters:
Screen diagonal. The cheapest netbooks with an 8.9 "diagonal are easy to transport, but models with 11.6" and 12.1 "have a more convenient keyboard. The middle ground in this segment is 10-inch screens.
Weight. For models of the same size, the weight can vary significantly due to the battery capacity. On average, netbooks weigh up to 1.2-1.5 kg.
CPU and graphics card. The vast majority of devices work on Intel: AtomN270 or N280 are used with a frequency of 1.60 and 1.66 GHz, respectively .
RAM and disk memory. As a rule, the cheapest netbooks boast 1-2 GB of RAM and 120-160 GB of disk space.
Battery. Many manufacturers offer several battery options for the same model. So, the battery life of a netbook can be from 2-3 to as much as 8-10 hours.
Wireless adapters. Wi-Fi adapter and Bluetooth are installed in all devices by default.
Connectors The number of connectors in netbooks is minimal. In the presence, as a rule, an HDMI port, three USB outputs, a connector for a local network, headphones, a video port and a card reader.
Operating system. A cheap Chinese laptop often costs a free OS, but upgrading to a familiar Windows is easy.
Other characteristics do not have a noticeable effect on the usability of the device, nor on performance or speed. In addition, the parameters not discussed above are identical for most netbooks.
Budget Netbooks: Key Market Players
Many manufacturers are not too active in producing netbooks, focusing on more profitable standard laptops. That is why the lineup does not undergo large-scale changes for quite a long time.
An interesting solution in the segment of low-cost and maximum mobile computers with minimal specifications was a Chromebook from Google. Released in 2011, the chromebook offers a non-standard approach to working with data: for storing files, it is assumed to work not with a hard drive, but with cloud storage. To date, Chromebooks are produced by Acer, Samsung and Sony, but considering them as full-fledged options for netbooks or not is a personal choice for each user.
Below are a few models of budget netbooks that deserve attention.
ASUS Eee PC X101CH: stylish design and mobility
ASUS Eee PC X101CH is a good cheap netbook, the characteristics of which provide full-fledged work. The device weighs about one kilogram, in addition, its thickness does not exceed 2.5 centimeters, which ensures maximum mobility and ease of transportation. The model works completely silently due to a passive cooling system, and waking up from sleep mode takes only two seconds. The battery life of the ASUS Eee PC X101CH is about five hours. The netbook has an interesting design and is available in four color variations: red, white, black and brown.
ASUS Eee PC 1015BX: high performance and autonomy
Another model from Asus (which, incidentally, has already been discontinued, but has good characteristics and is suitable for used purchases) is the ASUS Eee PC 1015BX. The netbook is characterized by a relatively powerful graphics adapter, it is capable of reproducing high-quality video, and due to the presence of an HDMI port, it can transmit images to a wide screen. A useful feature that is especially useful on the road is that this model can recharge other gadgets via USB even when turned off. The dual-core processor provides high performance (as for a netbook), and thanks to the low power consumption, the ASUS Eee PC 1015BX can work without recharging up to eight and a half hours.
Gigabyte Q2006: elegance and long battery life
A small laptop preinstalled with the usual Windows 7 operating system and a ten-inch screen is an elegant solution with the possibility of long battery life. The maximum possible duration of work without recharging reaches ten hours, and the Intel Atom processor provides sufficient performance. How much does a netbook (cheapest, but original) cost Gigabyte Q2006? The average price is about 5 thousand rubles.
Lenovo IdeaPad 100S: the best solution for most tasks
A small Lenovo laptop can be made in red, gray, white or blue, inside the device is black (for red and gray) or white. The lid opens 180 degrees, the display has a matte finish, the netbook runs on Intel Atom and Intel HD, which, of course, does not allow you to count on the launch of demanding games. However, for everyday work, according to users, its performance is enough. How much does a netbook cost (the cheapest option)? The model will cost 10-13 thousand rubles.
When choosing a budget netbook, you should not rely on a wide variety of options. The lineup is represented by several “centenarians” who managed to gain a foothold in the market, while completely new solutions are rarely released.