Netbooks are like the next generation of consumer mobile computers or notebooks right now. What’s even more surprising is this comes not late after the super low-cost laptops for poverty stricken countries. But there’s nothing to complain, because more laptops means a more Internet connected community.
Sure, we’ll have more Internet addicts and black hat hackers on the prowl but at least netbooks are making technology advancements quicker. It’s become an instant hit even Wikipedia has an article about it already.
A netbook is a light-weight, low-cost, energy-efficient, highly portable laptop that achieves these parameters by offering fewer features, less processing power and reduced ability to run resource-intensive operating systems.
Source: Wikipedia
But I was wondering, will netbooks change how users will experience the Internet? If you surf on your mobile phone, PDA or iPhone, you’ll notice the screen has a minimum size before you give up surfing on it. Though the netbook monitors are now no smaller than 10″, how does it affect the user when browsing your website?
After I got my hair done in 1Utama, I was checking out my blog on the iPhone and noticed my text size increase for the post definitely boosted my reading ability. I was very comfortable reading without having to squint – except for the sidebars. So this got me thinking, if the 10″ monitor size netbooks change the way users experience on a website?
Will we need to increase our text sizes to a minimum 14px or 16px to accomodate this new group of users? Will we need to lessen the columns in a layout so users get the content they want easier and faster?
What does everyone think?
P.S: If Dell, Asus, Acer, Sony, MSI, Lenovo or Samsung would like to loan me a unit for this research plus free product positioning or awareness, do contact me. :)
Good point, it could make a difference… What is really needed is some technology that shrinks or enlarges websites to whatever screen you have.
Netbooks trend is going impact website designing for sure. Due to the small screen size and limitation of resolution and poor processing power, we should start designing websites that optimize for netbooks and avoid full flash website so that it wouldn’t lag the machine.
@Julian
Currently browsers have made zooming of the website the default option compared to only text-resize. But your suggestion would definitely make it much easier. :)
p.s: I tried posting a comment on your blog, it didn’t work.
@hyperx:
Well, in terms of website design. We might see less columns and bigger default text size. But yes, Flash should be lessen.
All is about trend..since Netbook is more ‘mobility’ maybe can become dominant for next generation user.Also the internet provider,from day to day become more ‘advance’ so can say ‘online’ become more mobilize..
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