I forgot about my netbook

So, as many probably do, I have a netbook and haven't used it for a long time. For several reasons. I think several people out there are probably the same, but a revamp and format can bring this device back into your life as it has mine.




So I have an Acer Aspire One, and I bought it as my laptop was dying and the fan was so loud it scared small animals out of the nearby area. I have a Macbook courtesy of my job, and have been using that for a while but I started to encounter problems, not with hardware/software but logistically factors.

The big one is mobility, There is no real small form factor laptop like a netbook, even in the era of ultrabooks (which can be heavier but still sizeable) and tablets (iPads are heavier and without a keyboard).

So here are the problems that netbooks have and how to fix them.

Performance

So many instance netbooks can be amazing annoying at the fact that it can't do certain things very fast. Quite simply its because that there is not a lot of decent hardware under the bonnet. Also Windows is a more intensive OS that will take up resource intended for more powerful machines and will slow the machine down at moments where you are just browsing or doing light work.

FIX:

Firstly accept the machine for what it is, a lightweight device that you should use for the casual on the move use, mostly web surfing, few applications and bits here and there. With that lets forget about Windows and grab a lightweight OS, it's all about fit for purpose. A few awesome solutions are DamnSmallLinux, EasyPeasy and JoliCloud (awesome cross platform sync as well). For me personally I use Lubuntu, a lightweight distro based on Ubuntu. It absolutely flies on my netbook. Also working in the browser as much as possible can increase your performance, using Cloud application means you system resources isn't compromised from hungry applications.

Appearance

Fact is that your netbook doesn't look as pretty as a MacBook or slick as Viao, they are stock parts with little aesthetics in mind. Design is not much of a word in this arena.

FIX:

PIMP YO MACHINE!! Stickers and Decals are all over the place. Check out great photos on Instagram, Pintrest and Tumblr for a stock of inspiration (Tumblr has provided my with wallpapers for a long time now). As great as a design is out of the box, you look over your shoulder and your MacBook  Pro looks the same and the every other one. I have always loved custom and personalisation over stock, do it well and people will look over at your tiny awesome machine.

Productivity

There is a struggle with productivity. A small keyboard, tiny track pad and 7inch low resolution monitor means that trying to create documents and be productive.

Sort-of FIX:

I say sort-of because it's a bit of a change to habit. If you expect your netbook to be your main machine then you will have trouble. But a netbook can be great for starting and edit on the move. I will start code and designs whilst having coffee, or on the tube. Then finish on my main computer when I am at home, or my work Macbook in the office. Using Dropbox or Google drive keeps everything nicely in sync and seamless. Think of like this: a bit better than a mobile, but with the data and resources of a PC.

In Conclusion, when I thought about my Netbook differently it had purposes and meaning. It had a place in my computing and lifestyle. I can always have my documents and files on hand, and edit and send without the awkwardness of doing it on a phone or tablet. Get the screen and keyboard without dragging a large laptop around London, and quickly stop for a Coffee and write a blog post :)

Happy Teching

Dom