Optimize your netbook

A netbook is the popular small version of a notebook. Most people purchase a netbook as an economic second computer that offers better mobility. Make sure you get enough mobility and set it up to have maximum screen space and readable  text. Go to wikiHow for an improved updated version of this article.

Hardware considerations:

Choose the right screen size. Most people go for the 9” display (1024 x 600). Smaller often means a lower screen resolution that most web pages won’t fit in, presenting you a horizontal scrollbar. A 10” model offers a bigger keyboard, besides better readable text.

Buy a bigger battery right away. Keep in mind that with time the battery will perform less. You take a netbook with you without the power supply, so you need more autonomy. Some models are lifted higher up thanks to the bigger battery, providing better ventilation and a good handgrip as well. In situations you expect more than approx. 5 hours of operation, you can take the power supply with you OR the other battery that came standard with the netbook.

Go for at least 1 MB of RAM if you use Windows XP. The cheaper version with a SSD (Solid State Disk) instead of a harddisk is an option if you only use some basic applications, don't download videos and have little images or music. Adding a portable harddisk goes at cost of the mobility.

Use a neoprene sleeve with zipper. They don’t make the netbook much bigger while protecting it against dust, rain and impact. Try it with the biggest battery mounted.
 

Software set up (only Windows XP, except the Mozilla part):

Change settings to make more valuable screen space available and enhance text readability.

• Run Clear Type Tuning.
• Auto-hide the taskbar on the bottom of the screen. Right-click on it -> Properties -> Check Auto-hide.
• Make the window frames smaller. Start -> Control Panel -> Display -> Appearance -> Windows and buttons: Windows Classic style.
• Set a minimum font size that web sites can use. Prevent a web site using a font that is smaller than what you are able to read. Mozilla and Opera provide this option.
• For Mozilla install the Add-ons disablemenu, Searchbar Autoresizer, Tiny Menu and Toolbar Buttons. From the last one use the button Hide/Show Toolbars.
• Zoom in and out while viewing with ctrl + mouse wheel. This works in all popular browsers. In some browser the scroll-zoom function results in a page zoom of all content, in others it effects only the text.
• You still want more space while surfing? Just press F11 to toggle to Full Screen.

In Power Option Properties (Control Panel) first activate hibernation. Then go to the Advanced tab. Put the following settings: Close lid = Do nothing / power button = Ask me what to do / sleep button = hibernate.

The netbook is used at the coffee table. While the coffee gets served, you better close the lid. Reopening you don’t want to reenter a password. Also while you are downloading you might want to close the lid without the system shutting down. Closing the lid will always turn off the screen, indipendent from software settings, to avoid overheating and to save energy.

When you go to the toilet you press the power button and choose Standby, so your colleagues can’t sneak into your email, you save battery power and can resume working immediately after pressing any button.
Remember you can also lock access to your computer by pressing the Windows or Home button on your keyboard  (normally left of the spacebar next to Alt) + L.

When you go for lunch but want to resume afterwards, press the sleep button and your computer hibernates, preserving all the open windows as before.

Having all options available under the power button, allows you to restart even if the touchpad or keyboard doesn’t work (not both together). Turn off your computer before you go to sleep while recharging the battery for the next day. 

Respect and protect your social life:

Being able to take your netbook anywhere can enhance OR ruin your social life. To watch the photos you made on a daytrip together with friends is much nicer than just sending them by email the next day or viewing them on the small display of a camera. On the other hand, if going to the park the netbook keeps you from playing baseball with your kids, probably your wife starts to regret she bought you the damn thing. It’s a bit like internet, you can use it or abuse it.