Netbooks: How to buy the best netbook Bluetooth, USB and Wi-Fi for netbooks
Connect peripherals to your netbook via a USB port
Connecting your netbook: USB ports
Check that your chosen netbook has enough USB ports for connecting any peripherals that you want to use such as digital cameras, printers, external hard drives, USB keys or a mouse.
Ideally, look for a netbook that has USB ports on both sides for greater flexibility.
Pay attention to where these ports are placed on the side of the netbook. If you have a bulky USB device (such as a chunky USB key), make sure there’s sufficient room between the sockets so that plugging in your device doesn't obscure the adjacent port.
Which? has expert netbook reviews from brands including Acer, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Samsung, Sony Vaio and Toshiba
Netbooks with Bluetooth
If you want your netbook to communicate wirelessly with Bluetooth devices, such as mobile phones or wireless mice, then ensure it has Bluetooth built in.
The alternative is to buy a separate USB Bluetooth ‘dongle’ – provided by mobile broadband operators. Simply plug the dongle into your netbook’s USB port and follow the set-up procedure to connect.
Networking a netbook
Wired Ethernet networks
Most netbooks include a socket for connecting to a wired (Ethernet) network, which means you can share information with other computer across your network.
Wireless network connectivity (Wi-Fi)
Netbooks include built-in wireless connectivity. This means you can connect them to your home wireless network or go online at a wireless hotspot while out and about.
Most netbooks use the older 80.211g wireless connectivity protocol, though a few higher-spec models come with the latest and fastest wireless 80.211n protocol built in, which means you can transfer data across your network more quickly.
Your wireless router will also need to be capable of using the 802.11n protocol for you to take advantage of the higher speeds, though. Which? has expert reviews on wireless routers so you can find one which is fast enough.
Mobile broadband on your netbook
If you plan to attach a 3G mobile broadband dongle to your netbook, opt for a model with a Windows operating system rather than Linux, as you may encounter compatibility issues with the latter.
See our mobile broadband pages for more information and to compare features and prices.
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 on choosing and using netbooks and other mobile devices in our book Laptops and Mobile Devices Made Easy.
