The advent of netbooks has changed the amount of choice that people looking for a new computer have available to them, according to an expert.

Payal Dhar, writing for MDigitalFC.com, said that the smaller netbooks give users an ultra-portable device which is primarily built for browsing and accessing web-based applications.

“Netbooks’ compact form (a ten-inch screen is common), lightweight bodies (no optical drive) make them easy enough to slip into a purse. If you intend to do lots of travelling where you need to fit into cramped spaces to work or have to travel light, a netbook is the answer to your prayers,” he added.

The expert also said that, armed with connectivity features such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, netbooks are customised for internet access, providing a great option for people who depend on cloud computing services like Google Docs.

Another known benefit of netbooks over their larger laptop cousins is that they often provide a longer battery life, making them ideal for use on the move.

Apple should learn from the launch of its iPad if it releases a new update to the MacBook Pro this year.

According ElectricPig.co.uk, incorporating a touchscreen into the device could appeal to many people, as the screen on the iPad has been well received.

"Multi-touch pinch zooming and flick scrolling feel totally intuitive and we’d love more than anything to be able to do the same on any Mac," it stated.

The website added that the MacBook Air should have space for a 3G SIM card, as the 3G version of the iPad has shown that people like to be able to access the web anywhere and everywhere.

More games is another call from the source, as they have been so well adopted on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

TopNews.co.uk said that four new Apple stock keeping units have appeared in the Microcentre purchasing system, which may correspond to new Macbook or Macbook Pro models.

People looking to buy a netbook have been told to download OpenOffice as it will provide them with all their word processing needs for free.

A report on TheLink said that those buying a netbook are already saving good money on the device, compared to the price of PCs, with a free office suite also giving excellent benefits.

“Laptops and netbooks are every bit as good as desktop PCs when it comes to word processing, but it’s all too easy to spend money on software when you don’t have to,” the guide added.

OpenOffice contains all the features which someone operating outside of their study will need, such as spreadsheets, word processing and presentations.

Those looking to save space on their new netbook should also consider using an online office suite, such as Google Docs.

This saves files in the cloud, meaning that even if your machine is stolen or broken, documents will still be safe.

Samsung has unveiled a new range of all-in-one computers geared towards in-home entertainment lovers.

Resembling the popular Apple iMac computer, the newly-announced U250 and U200 represent the electronics giant’s first move into the desk computing market.

However, while the company may not have past experience in this end of the market, unlike its vast range of laptop computers, initial reviews suggest that Samsung has effectively identified what many home users want most from their machines.

As such, the two all-in-one computers boast 23-inch touch-screen interfaces, ideally suited to those users looking to make use of digital photo-editing suites, as well as gamers and movie fans.

Welcoming the new machines, which are due to be launched in the UK in May, Gartner analyst Ranjit Atwal explained that the Samsung computers should attract considerable interest.

“(They) will certainly appeal to a section of the market,” the expert told PC Pro magazine.

Meanwhile, PC Pro recently welcomed the launch of the Samsung N210 netbook, noting that the machine brings a “businessman like” approach to the mobile computing sector.

Sony has ‘moved the goalposts’ in the laptop computer market with its new VAIO E Series, it has been claimed.

With the Japanese technology firm set to launch the latest addition to its laptop range in May, the Sun has given the device a big thumbs-up in its Gizmo review.

In addition to the 4GB of RAM as standard, as well as a 500GB hard drive, the newspaper has noted with enthusiasm that the VAIO E Series also offers users the ability to get onto the net without having to go through the timely process of turning other parts of the computer on.

Furthermore, the 14-inch screen and the choice of colours mean that the laptop is both chic and portable.

"If you can’t face shrinking down to a netbook then this could be a good compromise for using regularly on the move," the review concluded.

Meanwhile, TechRadar has given the new Sony VAIO F-Series of laptops four stars out of five, praising the machines’ looks and performance capabilities.

Sony has ‘moved the goalposts’ in the laptop computer market with its new VAIO E Series, it has been claimed.

With the Japanese technology firm set to launch the latest addition to its laptop range in May, the Sun has given the device a big thumbs-up in its Gizmo review.

In addition to the 4GB of RAM as standard, as well as a 500GB hard drive, the newspaper has noted with enthusiasm that the VAIO E Series also offers users the ability to get onto the net without having to go through the timely process of turning other parts of the computer on.

Furthermore, the 14-inch screen and the choice of colours mean that the laptop is both chic and portable.

"If you can’t face shrinking down to a netbook then this could be a good compromise for using regularly on the move," the review concluded.

Meanwhile, TechRadar has given the new Sony VAIO F-Series of laptops four stars out of five, praising the machines’ looks and performance capabilities.

The upcoming release of Apple’s iPad will not harm sales of portable netbook devices, according to an industry expert.

David Coursey, writing for PCWorld.com, said that Apple’s recent claims that people will want to put down their netbooks when the iPad is released will be unfounded.

"Personally, I find this whole iPad versus netbook comparison more than a little specious. A netbook is a real computer, if an underpowered one, that benefits from having a keyboard and the same operating system as most users’ desktops," he added.

Mr Coursey also said that while most netbooks lack touchscreens, they will be able to show a motion picture in 16:9 format, something that the Apple device will not be able to do.

Another advantage that the netbook has over the iPad, according to the expert, is that the graphical capabilities of the machines are improving.

Overall, netbooks are becoming more attractive as they evolve, not less, he added.

Other advantages that the small laptops will have over the iPad include the ability to run Flash videos, meaning that websites will appear enhanced compared with the Apple machine.

People looking at buying a netbook have been told that the machines might soon be very good for playing games on.

The recent Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco has seen experts and firms from across the industry gather to discuss networking ideas and awards, while lectures and tutorials have also been given on things such as design, programming and audio.

However, one of the major talking points of the conference was about bringing gaming to netbooks, with developers now looking at the small laptop as another class of PC, rather than a basic internet or word processing machine.

"Netbooks are becoming the quickest entry point into the notebook martketspace due to their price point, battery life and portability. At the GDC, many major players in the gaming development industry are supporting this new platform," said a report on Notebooks.com.

This could mean in the future that as well as surfing the net, receiving emails and typing up word documents, gaming fans might be able to have a quick spell on Football Manager in their local internet café or shoot down the enemy in Call of Duty on the way home from work.