Getting the Best Performance from your Netbook Computer

By helen davies


Whether you call them netbooks or sub-notebooks these ultra-portable personal computers are becoming ever so popular. As processors and memory performance has improved then the size and cost of notebook computers has fallen.

Of course, the great disadvantage that this type of computer has compared to a full size laptop is the battery life. Unfortunately battery technology has not advanced at the same lightening speed as other components so in terms of longevity, with batteries, size matters.

The best way to overcome this problem is to optimise your netbook’s performance as much as possible. Placing the machine in hibernation rather than standby when not in use is one way to save power, reducing the screens brightness, exiting applications when not in use and regularly discharging the battery between charges are all methods of good practice when it comes to preserving your battery’s resources.

Another way to get the most for the least, so to speak, is to find applications which are less resource hungry than the standard ones you are used to. For example the new Chrome browser from Google is a great lightweight alternative to Internet Explorer or Firefox. Downloaded in seconds this internet browser does all the basic stuff you need without being weighed down with extras that you’ll rarely use.

If you use your netbook for keeping on top of your work then some form of office application will be a must. You have a couple of options here: either download and install Open Office – a suite of office applications which are fully compatible with your regular versions of Word and Excel, etc; or, use an online set of applications like Google Docs which, again, are fully compatible with your regular documents but all the resource hungry software is on the net and not taking up your disc space.

Another great way of saving resources is to install an alternative media player. The VLC media Player will play all your favourite video clips and MP3 tracks without bringing your machine to a standstill.

Once you get used to using these alternative applications you should start to see an improvement in your netbook’s performance and also find that you need to recharge the battery a whole lot less. This is not only good news on a day to day basis but, because a battery’s life is dependent on the number of times it is recharged, it should also last much longer in the long term. Good news for your pocket and the environment too.