Netbooks - Are They a Useful Business Tool?

Although Netbooks have become extremely popular because of their portability and cost, the question remains whether they are a useful business tool or just another expensive gadget that adds very little value. My own experience is that the netbook is exactly what the travelling worker needs as it is the perfect compromise between a laptop and a smartphone.

What exactly is a netbook? The term netbook is generally applied to laptops with reduced size screens (9" being quite common) and keyboards that are easy to carry around but importantly run a full operating system and have Internet access via WiFi or an embedded cellular modem. This combination of a full operating system, the Internet and portability gives mobile workers a powerful tool to let them work as if they were in the office from anywhere.

Netbooks that run a full operating system such as Windows XP provide the remote user with an environment where they can run their important applications. While the smaller screen and keyboard would be unacceptable for prolonged use at a desktop, a mobile worker is not using the device constantly and so is more than happy to trade portability for a reduced size screen and keyboard. By using the same operating system on the netbook as is used on office PCs and laptops, all applications can be rolled out to the Netbooks without any user retraining.

Connectivity to the Internet is one of the main selling points of netbooks, with the option to use WiFi, mobile broadband or fixed line broadband for access. Once connected to the Internet, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be used to provide access to the office network so that the Netbook can retrieve emails, open documents and run server applications. A VPN provides a secure link from the Netbook to the office network and allows the Netbook to operate is if it was physically in the office.

In summary, Netbooks are an extremely cost-effective and useful business tool providing mobile workers with a familiar environment that is easy to carry around. By adding VPN access to the office network, the netbook becomes an extension of the office network enabling workers to be productive from anywhere with easy access to all their important applications, files and mail.

Visit http://www.AccessMyLan.com to see how you can setup a VPN in minutes.

Maurice McMullin