Mobile Computing News

Photo: Apple

NetTops are taking the technology world by storm as various manufacturers release their latest entrants into the market.

Net-what?

A blend of the terms ‘internet’ and ‘desktop’, NetTops are small, inexpensive desktop computers that consume very little power. Similar to its netbook cousin, the NetTop is designed for milder computing tasks such as word processing, Internet browsing, and media playback.

NetTops house all central components in one small unit that’s about 25 per cent of the size of a traditional desktop computer. A NetTop is sold without a keyboard, video monitor, or mouse (KVM), allowing manufactures to offer these computers at very economical price points, and allowing consumers to use their own existing KVM setups. Because of their low power consumption, NetTop computers are currently the most energy efficient machines on the market.

Despite their small footprints, NetTops are perfectly capable of handling everyday computer tasks and often come preinstalled with Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X operating systems. Most are offered in numerous configurations to cater to all users. Since they use similar hardware to laptop computers, most NetTops are easily upgradeable should the need arise.

Uses

A NetTop can be the perfect solution for a family looking for an inexpensive general-use computer, or small businesses or retail outlets interested in light-duty computers to handle inventory and point-of-sale operations. NetTops’ small form factor means that they can easily be concealed, making them ideal in locations where space is at a premium or theft is a risk.

As more and more entertainment media becomes digital, many consumers are turning to NetTops to serve as media hubs – so much so that NetTops used in personal media setups are sometimes referred to by tech gurus as home theatre PCs (HTPCs). Perfectly suited to housing and managing digital music libraries, NetTops can also be easily connected to HDTVs and home theatre systems – and their onboard storage can easily be expanded by the use of external hard drives. Easy networking and Internet connectivity means that online movie services can be accessed directly from one’s NetTop and relayed to a TV via HDMI or high-quality composite video ports. With the right adapters and audio cables, NetTops can also serve as receivers for home audio systems.

More expensieve NetTop PCs are sometimes equipped with touch screens, and in the future these machines may have several household applications – such as digital recipe books or online family calendars.