A well known but smaller version of a note book computer is what as a termed as a netbook. Being smaller in size, its mobility value is greater. Many people would prefer to buy a netbook as an economic alternative computer, easy to handle with mobility. Ensure that you make maximum use of its easily mobile quality and see that you set it up to obtain maximum screen space and readable text. You can follow the few guidelines provided.
HARDWARE CONSIDERATIONS
1] Choose the Right Screen Size-
The choice of screen size depends entirely on the user’s eye sight power. Normally, people with good eye sight choose the 9 inches [1024 by 600]. A smaller screen results in lower screen resolution that most of your web pages may not fit in right, bringing you a horizontal scroll-bar. Size bigger that is a 10 inch model offers a larger keyboard and a better readable text.
Of course, people with poor eye sight can even think of going in for a 12 inch size. Though it cannot be considered as a netbook, yet it possesses more mobility than a 15 inch notebook. For that range, the hardware specifications are much better when compared to the simpler netbooks, but they naturally come with a higher price.
2] Take a Battery with a minimum of 6 cells capacity-
Remember that with the passing time, the battery’s performance will slowly weaken. Without the power adapter, your netbook will require more autonomy. Due to bigger battery better ventilation can be obtained and will have better grip to hold it more firmly. Some models are lifted higher. Sometimes if you happen to work longer than expected, the battery may not last you that long. In such a case, you can take the power supply along with you or opt for an alternative battery.
3] Get at least 1GB of RAM if you use Windows XP-
This will ensure a better service for your netbook.
4] Pick the Appropriate drive type-
HDD[hard disc drive] is capable of holding more and works much better on using demanding applications or download plenty of music/videos. You can also add a portable hard disc, but at the cost of mobility.
5] Use a Neoprene Sleeve with a Zipper.
In spite of a netbook being small, it can still be protected against rain, dust and impact, with the help of the biggest battery mounted. Using a toilet bag is another option. They are waterproof and work out cheaper. They also leave extra space for the additional battery or adapter.
THE SOFTWARE SET UP
This is something that you need to go through very carefully to avoid any mistakes which may in turn affect the proper functioning of your netbook. This information helps to increase the performance level of your netbook, providing for more valuable screen space and enhance the text readability.
WINDOWS XP
1] If processing power and memory are far more important to you than the sleek look for your Windows screen, then you can make the necessary adjustments listed below.
– Go to start in the task bar [bottom left]
-Control Panel [in classic view] – > system.
-Click on the Advanced Tab.
– In the performance Area, click on the Settings Button.
-Click on the Visual Effects Tab.
-Check the Adjust for the best performance radio button.
2] Select background none in the Display Properties of the Control Panel. Any background image takes up the minimum amount of resources.
3] Run Microsoft’s Clear Type Tuning. Do this after step 1. It can easily be repeated through Control, to which it is added after installation.
4] Make the window frame smaller and the font bigger.
-Go to Start in the task bar [bottom left].
-Control panel [in classic view] -> Display -> Appearance.
– In the field Windows and Buttons, choose Windows classic style and in the field font, put large.
5] Auto-hide the task bar on the bottom of the screen. Right click on it, go to properties and check auto-hide.
6] Set clever power options [refer to Tips section].
– Go to the start in the task bar at the bottom left.
– Control Panel in classic view->Power Options.
– First activate Hibernation then go to the advanced tab. Put these settings-
Close Lid= Do Nothing, power button= Ask me what to do, sleep button- hibernation.
Hibernate only if you don’t have disk space available. Remember the file is approximately equal to the amount of system RAM.
BROWSER
1] Set a minimum font size that websites can rightly use. – If the font size is too small, it can be a strain on the reader’s eyes. So, avoid websites to use a smaller font, which is difficult to read. Browsers Mozilla, Opera and Safari provide this option through the configuration settings.
2] In Mozilla move all the items from the bookmarks tool bar to the big empty space you have in the menu bar.
– Go to the View menu, then Toolbar -> Customize.
– In the Menu bar, there’s an outlined rectangle between the Help menu and the throbber. It’s called a flexible space. Click and drag the flexible space from the menu bar into the toolbar palette. Then, the throbber will jump leftwards to cuddle up near the help menu.
– drag the Bookmarks Toolbar items in the main window on the Menu bar, putting it in between the Help Menu and the throbber, and then click done in the toolbar palette box.
– Now go back to the View Menu, then Toolbars and uncheck Bookmarks Toolbar. This closes the already empty bookmark tool bar.
3] Also, for Mozilla, install the Add-ons (1) Search bar Autosizer, Tiny Menu and Toolbar buttons. From the last one use the buttons Hide/Show Toolbars, Toggle Minimum Font Size, Toggle Menu bar, and whatever other buttons are useful for you.
4] Zoom in and out while viewing with Ctrl + scrolling the mouse wheel [or with the vertical area on the right side of the touch pad]. This works out well with all the popular browsers. In some browsers, the scroll-zoom function results in a page zoom of all content, in some others it affects only the text. (2).
5] You still want more space while surfing? Just press F11 to toggle to full screen. This works for all the latest browsers except Safari.
A FEW TIPS
These may prove to be useful as they are related to the Power Option Settings as described earlier.
As the netbook is generally used at the coffee table, it would be advisable to close the lid while coffee is being served, to avoid spilling. But each time, you would not like to re-enter with a password. So, it is wise to close the lid, without shutting down the system, even when downloading. This has its own advantages, as closing the lid always turns off the screen; independent from any software settings, at the same time avoids overheating and saves energy.
In case you have to leave the computer for a while, press the power button and choose standby so that no one can sneak a peek into your emails. Not only that, you can save battery power and resume work immediately after pressing any button, without any hassles.
Remember you can also lock access to your computer by pressing the Windows or Home button on your keyboard [generally to the left of the space-bar next to Alt] + L.
Now, when at work, if you have to go for lunch but want to resume work later, press the sleep button and your computer hibernates, preserving all the open windows just as before.
Having all options available under the power button, allows you to restart inspite of the touch pad or the key board not working. See that you turn off the computer before you sleep so that the battery can be recharged for the next day.
More brightness strains your eyes, so keep the screen brightness as low as you can, adjusting minimal contrast, depending on the ambient light, which can be normally be set to minimum indoors. You can find it as a key board shortcut. [Fn key in combination with the left arrow of a F-key.]
HAZARDS ATTACHED TO THE NETBOOK.
Respect and Protect your Social Life: – each one of us as a human being is entitled to a social life, which we need to protect as best as we can. In that interest, see that carrying your netbook wherever you go does not encroach on your social life or your privacy. It is very nice to watch videos/ photos of your trip with your friends, instead of having to email them. Here it does not disturb your social lie, infact it encourages it. But if it is obstructing you from playing with your children on a family outing or mixing well with relatives and friends, then it is a hindrance. Very much like the internet, the netbook too can be a boon as well as a bane, depending entirely on you.
A lot of time spent in front of the computer can strain your eyes. So make sure that you set a minimum font size and try to minimize the use of the netbook, unless absolutely necessary. The ideal distance between you and the netbook would be the measurement from the sides of the netbook to your out stretched arms. This also helps you reach the key board well. Make sure that you take short breaks frequently to rest your eyes and legs.[2-3 minutes every 15-20 minutes].