Netbooks: How to buy the best netbook Audio and graphics on your netbook
Netbook graphics
Netbooks are light and portable with small screens
Don't expect to find top-notch graphics in your netbook. Netbooks come with integrated graphics, which operate using a chunk of the laptop’s memory (Ram) and are fine if you're just planning to do basic, everyday tasks.
Netbooks are built for simple tasks rather than power-hungry ones, so they're unsuitable for serious gaming.
If you want to play games or use video-editing software on the move, you really need to opt for a laptop that has a separate graphics card. Separate cards have their own memory, so they don't take up your laptop’s valuable Ram.
Which? has expert netbook reviews from brands including Acer, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Sony Vaio and Toshiba
Netbook screens
All netbooks come with their own built-in LCD screens. Screen size has a direct impact on the size of the netbook itself.
As netbooks are very small, screens are small, too – typically 8 or 10 inches – though some manufacturers are bringing out netbooks with 12-inch screens, which is creeping into full-sized laptop territory.
Typically, a larger screen means you'll get a larger keyboard, but your netbook will weigh more.
Netbook screens usually have a glossy surface, which makes screen colours appear crisp, deep and rich. However, if you're using the netbook in daylight, you will notice a lot of reflection on the screen.
It is possible to find netbooks with matte screens. Onscreen colours are generally not quite as rich as you'll get with glossy displays, but you won't suffer from the problem of onscreen reflections in daylight.
Most netbooks have a webcam built into the screen
Netbook webcams
A webcam is a mini camera that allows your moving image to be beamed across the internet to colleagues, friends or family. Most netbooks come with a webcam built into the lid, just above the screen.
The resolution of most netbook webcams (which determines the picture quality) is generally quite low (around 0.3 megapixels, for example).
This means that the person you're beaming your image to will see a fairly grainy picture.
Netbook sound
Netbooks come with a soundcard integrated onto the motherboard (main circuit board). This will be sufficient for playing MP3s or listening to radio, for example. Netbooks generally have a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones and some have an integral microphone.
Don't expect great things from your netbook’s built-in speakers, though. We found them tinny and poor quality in our netbook tests.
More information in our individual netbook and laptop reviews
For more information on the best netbooks to buy, read the Which? netbook reviews, where you'll find full details of all the netbooks tested by Which?, including Best Buy netbooks. You can also read Which? laptop reviews if you need a portable computer with a bit more power and a larger screen.
Read more about choosing and using netbooks and other mobile devices in our book Laptops and Mobile Devices Made Easy.
