Netbooks are a popular, cheaper alternative to full size notebook and desktop computers. While some netbooks ship with Linux, most consumers are opting for Windows XP-based netbooks. What makes a netbook different from a notebook or desktop computer? The primary difference is size - netbooks fall somewhere between the smallest notebook computers and a large smartphone. Netbooks are also less powerful PCs - to reduce the cost. As a result most netbooks can’t run Windows Vista and ship with Windows XP (and in a few cases Linux). To save even more money some consumers install OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office. Netbooks are available from many manufacturers including Acer, Asus, HP, MSI, Dell, OLPC (One Laptop Per Child), Medion, Kohjinsha, Lenovo, Toshiba and others.

Netbooks have even caught the attention of Google - the search engine company - who are working with computer manufacturers on a next generation netbook based on Google’s Android platform.  And Microsoft is looking for Windows 7 as its sequel to Windows XP for netbooks.

So where does that leave consumers? Should you race out and buy a netbook today with Windows XP or wait until later this year or 2010 for the Android / Windows 7 based netbooks? Or should I instead pay a bit more (likely $100 - $150) and get a full-size notebook?

Here are some things to think about:

• Speed - if you are planning to run anything beyond email, basic Internet browsing and basic text document creation you should get a laptop; for the basics a netbook is good enough.  And pretty much forget about gaming on a netbook - and likely most high quality Internet video.
• Power Typer- if you are power typer take some time to type on a netbook in a store - are you really going to put up with the smaller keyboard? If you are just tapping out Twitter updates or email messages you’ll be fine - but if you are writing your next novel the netbook’s smaller keyboard might be frustrating.
• Vista Experience: if you like or are used to the Windows Vista experience, look and feel and features then you only have two choices - get a full-size notebook now or wait until Windows 7 enabled netbooks come out later… and heres a catch - Windows 7 may be limited to basics for netbook use (details from Microsoft still pending).
• Compatibility: Linux-based netbooks have pretty much disappeared from the shelves of retailers because Linux doesn’t allow you to run popular applications like Microsoft Office.  Google’s Android-based netbooks will likely have the same restriction.  So if you use Microsoft Office at all stay clear of netbooks that aren’t running a Windows-based operating system (for now that means XP, later this year Windows 7).

One thing that isn’t different are problems.  At support.com we deal with thousands of computer problems every day including netbook and laptop problems.

Netbook computers can be affected by the same problems as a full-size notebook or desktop computer. Because netbooks aren’t as powerful, anything impacting computer performance (like a virus or spyware, or too many installed programs) will be even more noticeable.

Common problems include:

• Slow startup and/or shutdown time
• Frequent crashes or lockups
• Help getting printers and other devices / peripherals to work
• Problems upgrading netbook BIOS to the latest version
• USB devices are not accessible after being plugged in
• Problems transferring data to my used computer
• Unable to synchronize an iPod, iPhone, Treo, Centro, Windows Mobile or other portable device
• Problems accessing media content (pictures, videos, music) in Windows Media Player
• Windows Update errors preventing the latest security updates from being applied
• Errors with Flash, Java / Javascript, ActiveX
• Help connecting a used computer to a home network
• Frequent pop-ups and/or warnings that my PC is infected with a virus
• No audio or choppy audio / sound problems
• Problems installing and configuring anti-virus / anti-spyware software
• CD-ROM drive unavailable error

My advice is don’t jump out and buy a netbook just because it is $100 - $150 cheaper - it may be a great deal if you are the right kind of user.  Take the time to really use a netbook in a store, understand how you will use it at home and make sure you can live with the limitations.  If you can, netbooks are a great deal - if you can’t, you’ll just be returning the netbook and, at some stores, paying a restocking fee.