The desktop computers when they first arrived on the scene revolutionized the way we worked and then laptops made their appearance making the desktop computers almost obsolete. Now, another revolution is on its way with ultra sleek netbook computers which have made the hitherto conveniently portable laptops seem cumbersome. However, it`s not enough to jump onto the bandwagon and purchase any netbook but certain points must be considered while making the purchase.

The first and foremost point to consider is your computing needs. You have to be sure of what use you are going to be putting your netbook to and then decide whether the work required is suitable for a netbook or not. Checking your email, browsing the internet or composing word or office documents can all easily be handled by a netbook. But, stuff like some heavy video editing or application of graphics which require quite a few resources may not be possible with a netbook.

Ideally, a netbook should be purchased by someone who is heavily into web browsing and not much more as it is specifically designed to handle intensive emailing and web browsing. It runs on Windows XP or Linux operating system and is not meant to handle extensive data storage or 3D games or Photoshop.

Although net books are ultra light and very easily portable, its size and weight still merits some consideration. They come in different sizes and though they themselves are tiny, the power adapters of some may be very large and heavy. The battery weight and size should also be checked.

Some of the important features to look out for while purchasing a netbook for your convenience are the optical drive, potential upgradation, layout of mouse etc. Many netbooks still don`t come equipped with an optical drive and an external drive may have to be purchased. You also have to consider whether the hard drive and the RAM of that particular netbook can be upgraded without a fuss. At times, upgrades make your warranty void. So, be very sure on this angle while buying a netbook.

Another important feature is the size of the keyboard. It is but natural that a small device like a netbook cannot have a big keyboard and you have to be sure that you`ll have no problems typing on a small keyboard. The position and the layout of the mouse and the touchpad should also be looked into as these two factors alone can make or mar your experience of using the netbook.

Although netbooks are highly affordable and have been a big hit in the market with manufacturers cashing onto lucrative deals, its limited usage should give pause for some thought. It is alright for some portable browsing but for long term use or heavy data storage, a laptop is still the better option. A netbook while offering more intensive web browsing than a smart phone is still shorter than a normal laptop which has a larger battery capacity. This limitation permits only about 30-45 minutes of netbook usage which is less than most plane rides.

The price tag of the netbook may make it hard to resist but its value can only be realized through it usage. If the netbook is sitting unused for most of the time because it cannot handle your work, the great price notwithstanding, the device is going to be rendered useless and not even worth the affordable price. That said if you are the type who has to have the latest gadget irrespective of its suitability to your requirements, then a netbook is right up your street!