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Netbooks are university essential Budget conscious students favour netbooks

28 August 2009

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With students facing heavy debts as they start university many are opting for low-cost netbooks rather than laptops.

Research from Reevoo.com says that, in spite of the smaller size, storage and processing power of netbooks they are increasingly popular with budget-conscious students.

Netbook prices appeal to student budgets

The average price of a netbook this August is £230 compared to £370 for a full-size laptop. Students can pick up netbooks from some manufacturers including Asus for as little as £100.

Sarah Kidner, editor of Which? Computing said: ‘Netbooks have definitely been the computing story of 2009. It's great that people on a budget, including students, can access low-cost computers such as these.'

Read the latest Which? netbook reviews 

In early 2008 netbooks represented less than 5% cent of the market, but have now grown to as much as 22%.

Samsung NC10 netbook: a big seller

The Samsung NC10, a Which? Best Buy, is a current big-seller. Reevoo.com says the Samsung sells four times more than the top-selling Sony and 10 times more than the top-selling Apple.

Which? has also reviewed the newer Samsung N120, as well as Sony’s first netbook the Sony Vaio W.

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