What's a netbook? A netbook (internet+ notebook) is a class of small laptop computers designed primarily for wireless internet access and targeted increasingly at cloud computing users who require a less powerful client computer. The HP 1033CL, shown here, has a 10.2-inch diagonal 1024 x 600 pixel screen (approx 16:9 aspect ratio), 1 GB RAM, 60 GB HD and runs Windows XP using an Intel Atom processor. Dimensions are 10.3 x 6.6 x 1.0 inches, wt 2.4 lbs, it fits easily in a field jacket pocket. Selling price at Costco is $400.00.Conspicuously absent from this and other netbooks is a built-in optical drive, although HP does make an external CD/DVD player. In practice, you install QuickTime and watch your movies in MPEG 4 format. When will Apple make a netbook? — who knows? And if and when they do, they'll probably screw it up as with the MacBook Air (sealed battery, only one USB port, etc). So if you want a netbook, and you undoubtably will, welcome grudgingly to Windows XP. Life's full of trade-offs. BTW, Costco tech support is surprisingly excellent, and they extend the warranty to two years.
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