In the late 2000s, the tech world was buzzing with the arrival of the netbook: a compact, ultra-portable laptop that promised an affordable, lightweight alternative to traditional notebooks. Among the first to capture the attention of consumers was the Asus eeePC, specifically the 700 series, which debuted in 2007. This device was a game-changer, presenting a miniature notebook with a 7-inch screen, a cramped keyboard, and just enough processing power for light tasks like web browsing and word processing. Equipped with 512 MB of RAM, a 4 GB hard drive, and the essential wireless networking capabilities, the eeePC was positioned as the ultimate travel companion for those who needed a device that was easy to carry and use on the go.

At the time, the eeePC generated significant buzz. Its affordable price tag, coupled with its portability, made it an attractive option for casual users and students alike. The eeePC’s design was minimalist and no-frills, ditching unnecessary features like an optical drive in favor of long battery life and a slim profile. The lack of a CD-ROM drive, which some initially viewed as a downside, turned out to be a strategic decision, as it helped maximize battery life and minimize weight—features that were essential for the device’s intended purpose: ultra-portability.

As netbooks evolved, so did the competition. Other manufacturers followed Asus’s lead and began producing similar devices, often with larger screens, improved keyboards, and bigger storage. The netbook industry began to see upgrades such as Bluetooth, improved wireless networking hardware, webcams, multi-touch trackpads, and even video cards capable of HD playback. Netbooks became faster, more powerful, and capable of handling more complex tasks, all while maintaining their signature portability.

Despite the early excitement, netbooks never truly reached their full potential. One major factor in this downfall was their limited computing power, which ultimately made them impractical for anything beyond basic tasks. The small screens and lack of robust processing power left users frustrated when trying to perform more demanding tasks. Even though the eeePC and its competitors were touted as “affordable laptops,” their inability to handle more than simple applications proved to be a dealbreaker for many.

"The problem is netbooks aren't ready for anything. They're slow, they have low quality displays. They're not better at laptops than anything, they're just cheaper."
— Steve Jobs

In 2010, Apple’s Steve Jobs made some prescient comments about the netbook market. Jobs, never one to shy away from sharing his views, claimed that netbooks were simply “a cheap laptop” and that consumers wouldn’t want them. He predicted that netbooks would fail because they lacked the power and versatility of traditional laptops and couldn’t compete with the emerging tablet market. Looking back, Jobs’ comments appear to have been spot on. While netbooks had their time in the spotlight, their main advantage — lightweight and underpowered — ultimately became a drawback, as they struggled to handle anything beyond basic tasks.

Fast forward a few years, and the netbook’s place in the tech world has largely been replaced by Chromebooks. Chromebooks, which run Google’s Chrome OS, essentially uses a web browser as their primary user interface, and most applications are cloud-based. Like the netbook, Chromebooks are lightweight, portable, and affordable, however, they have evolved to be far more versatile. Today’s Chromebooks come equipped with larger screens, better processors (including ARM-based CPUs), more storage, and the ability to run Android apps and even Linux applications. The browser-centric design of Chrome OS makes them similar to the original vision for netbooks, but with an updated approach that accounts for the growing reliance on the cloud and mobile applications.

While the netbook era may have been short-lived, its influence is still felt in the rise of affordable, portable computing. Chromebooks are now ubiquitous in schools, businesses, and homes, offering an alternative to more expensive laptops without sacrificing the basic functions most users need. The flexibility of Chrome OS, combined with the ability to run Android apps, makes Chromebooks a far more capable platform than the limited netbook ever was.

In retrospect, the netbook was an important step in the evolution of portable computing, but it lacked the necessary hardware and software to compete with the demands of modern users. While the eeePC and other netbooks may not have gone down in history as groundbreaking devices, they helped pave the way for the Chromebooks that dominate the market today. Looking back, it’s clear that while netbooks didn’t live up to their promise, they played an important role in the development of more practical, affordable, and versatile laptops.