As schools investigate the most cost-effective approaches for establishing 1-to-1 computing programs, one step experts say they should take is weighing the benefits and drawbacks of netbooks vs. mobile Internet devices (MIDs).
NETBOOK
Price: Less than a desktop or laptop PC, but more than a mobile Internet device
Screen Size: 5” to 13” (average is 9”)
Keyboard: Small but usable
Features: Strongly skewed toward wireless connectivity instead of performance
Upgradability: Good
OS Choice: Flexible, although CPU load should be kept to a minimum
Product Range: Broad, excellent choice for consumers and professionals
Market Demand: Very competitive
Level of Support: Good
Size: Bigger than a mobile Internet device (not pocket-size)
MOBILE INTERNET DEVICE
Price: Keenly priced, affordable
Screen Size: 4” to 6”
Interface: touchscreen or very small physical keyboards
Features: Strongly skewed toward connectivity instead of performance
Upgradability: Limited because of hardware restrictions
OS Choice: Limited because of hardware restrictions
Product Range: Limited, lack of market penetration
Market Demand: Generally low demand because of established branding of smartphones and netbooks
Level of Support: Low
Size: Compact and pocket-size, highly portable
SOURCE: China Business News
