In today’s classroom environment, gone are the days when students carry the traditional notebooks, pens and paper to take notes in class. What they’re carrying instead are laptop computers, netbooks, recording devices to listen to a professor’s lecture – as well as other technologically advanced learning aids.

Here, we will take a look at the numerous benefits of using netbooks and the tasks that you can finish in the classroom when using this type of a computing device.

Numerous Reasons why Netbooks are Great for Students

First, let’s differentiate traditional laptops from netbooks. Netbooks are actually mini-versions of your laptop computer. It does not necessarily offer the full functionality of your Mac, Dell, HP, IBM or other computer brand – but they are extremely portable and lightweight. To put it simply, netbooks may look like your typical laptop computer but they do not have its full capabilities. Instead, what they offer is great mobility, portability and flexibility in computing – making them a perfect supplement for your main computer.

Now, here are the numerous reasons why netbooks are great for students:
1.They’re small and lightweight.
If you’re a high school or college student who will carry around a full-sized laptop on your backpack all day, you might get back pains eventually. Netbooks, on the other hand, are smaller and a lot more lightweight.

Take a Dell laptop and a Dell netbook as an example. The laptop weights about 5 pounds while a netbook from the same brand only weighs less than three pounds. That’s more than a couple of pounds lifted off your shoulder – making netbooks perfect for students who are always on the go.

2.They’re cheaper.
Since netbooks are not fully functional like laptops and due to their smaller design, these computing devices are actually a lot cheaper. The manufacturers spend less on processors, graphic chips and display while also using lesser memory.

3.They have better battery life.
Perhaps the most annoying aspect of owning a laptop is the fact that it easily runs out of juice. But with netbooks, the smaller screen and low processing power keeps the batteries last longer – so you will stay productive for the better part of the day.

4.They’re popular and have a cooler design than laptops.
More importantly, student life is all about following trends and what’s popular. And what could be cooler than owning a small, sleek netbook?

Classroom Tasks Made Easier with Netbooks

But more than just the practical reasons of owning a netbook, these devices can actually help you get an A in class. Instead of keeping up with your teacher’s lecture using the traditional paper and pen, you can simply type away on the small keyboard of your netbook and cope up with your note-taking a whole lot better.

Netbooks also make the following tasks easier:
Accessing online study materials.
Conducting quick word and facts searches on the web.
Creating presentations for class.
Listening to educational podcasts.
Performing Web 2.0 activities.
Updating your class schedules/school activities calendar.
Updating your class blog with current news or announcements.
Word processing.

All in all, studies have shown that students with laptops or netbooks accomplish more in the classroom. This is because they can do high quality writing, they have access to more information, they can improve their skills in analyzing data, and their learning goals are more easily accomplished. With all these benefits, it is no wonder why such a small computing device as a netbook helps you get that oh-so-elusive A on your classes once you combine its functionalities with your willingness to learn.