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Technology

What is a 4G Netbook?

Mary Elizabeth
By
Updated Feb 13, 2024
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4G, follows 3G as the next evolution in the system of wireless communication. It stands for Fourth-Generation Communications System and is scheduled to be fully deployed in roughly 2012–2015. A netbook is a subnotebook, a small, portable computer that weighs 2–3 pounds (.9– 1.4 kg), has a 7–9 inch screen (17.8–22.9 cm), and does not include an optical drive. Thus, a 4G netbook is a netbook enabled for the 4G network. Because of the 4G release dates, there may be move to deploy a 3G/4G netbook by manufacturers seeking to bridge the transition because a 4G netbook cannot be fully used without a 4G network to support it.

Two types of 4G are being developed and are being deployed in different areas of the world. One is WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), and the other is LTE (Long Term Evolution), and there is some argument over which is the “real” 4G. The development of WiMAX preceded the development of LTE. In April 2010, there were at least 559 WiMAX networks, both fixed and mobile, in over 147 countries, with Yota, in Russia, being the largest. By contrast, the first publicly available LTE service only became available in December of 2009 from provider TeliaSonera® in Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway.

In March 2009, the Samsung® NC10 4G was released to team with Yota mobile services’ Russian WiMAX technology. It was the first WiMAX 4G netbook in Russia. This 4G netbook features a 10.2-inch (25.9 cm) LED display, an Intel® Atom N270 processor — the type that first was connected with the “netbook” name — speeds up to 10 Mbps, a 160 GB hard drive, Bluetooth®, a webcam, a full-size keyboard, and a battery capable of eight hours of use.

In February 2010 at the Mobile World Congress, Samsung® announced a development that they claimed was the world’s first 4G netbook for LTE. It represents a further development of the Samsung® N150, a current 3G notebook. It is currently known as Samsung N150 4G Netbook.. This 4G netbook has a 10.1 inch (25.7 cm) LED display, an Intel® Atom processor N450, theoretical speeds of up to 1 Gbps, a webcam, a reduced size keyboard, and up to 8.5 hours of battery life. At the same event, Dell® announced the addition of 4G WiMAX to the Mini 10 Netbook.

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Mary Elizabeth
By Mary Elizabeth
Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGEEK, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.
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Discussion Comments

By Logicfest — On Apr 11, 2014

@Soulfox -- you can still find them, but they have evolved from the old Windows-powered netbooks that were in vogue a few years ago. Most computers that are netbooks (or, at least, seem an awful lot like what we knew as netbooks) are based on Google Chrome OS or Google Android these days.

Why would you want one? Simple -- they don't cost a whole lot and feature honest-to-goodness keyboards. You can get a bluetooth keyboard for a tablet, but you are talking about an added expense. Some people like the notion of something that behaves a lot like a traditional computer, is inexpensive and still can access a 4G network.

By Soulfox — On Apr 10, 2014

How common are 4G netbooks these days? Those aren't as popular as they were a few years ago as people tend to use tablets to do the same work they used to do on netbooks. If you have a 4G tablet, why would you need a netbook?

Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth

Passionate about reading, writing, and research, Mary Elizabeth is dedicated to correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to writing articles on art, literature, and music for WiseGEEK, Mary works as a teacher, composer, and author who has written books, study guides, and teaching materials. Mary has also created music composition content for Sibelius Software. She earned her B.A. from University of Chicago's writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont.
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