Get a netbook: Cheaper, tougher, and lasts longer

Seeing as the Courier device died an untimely, unexpected death, and the self-awareness of non-Windows operating systems such as Chrome OS and the new Ubuntu 10.04 release, netbooks are becoming a more attractive device to own.

Students don't seem to look after their devices, specifically their laptops very well, and in my eyes netbooks though lacking in the full power and potential of a laptop or desktop machine, are seriously underestimated and undervalued for what they are actually worth.

There are five simple, 'off the top of my head' reasons to get a netbook:

• The batteries last ages, regardless of what operating system you use;
• They're surprisingly tough, because they're built small and compact, and there are rarely any loose points where you can push in, bend or appear fragile;
• The devices are cheap and cheaper if you don't run Windows;
• They don't lack functionality, substituting a much smaller, compact size for benefits like Ethernet ports, USB ports or Bluetooth, for example;
• They are good enough, and will last you all day to keep you running, ticking over and productive - socially and academically.

Many who know exactly what they want will opt out of the netbook market but for good reason. These will make up the graphics designers, those who need intensive memory and high GPU hardware, as well as those who want to run PC games.

• Read more: Could Chrome OS revive slumping netbook numbers?
• Read more: Netbooks dead? Yes, in the student market at least
• Read more: The Microsoft-netbook controversy explained
• Read more: Can a student go fully open source for 48 hours?

But it's not often you come across a younger person who plays games on the PC. Either they are within the browser, such as Facebook which has a high range of games and interactive content, or they are on their dedicated games console - more often than not an Xbox 360 or a PS3.

Would you opt for a netbook over a more expensive though more powerful device?