Buying a personal computer used to be easy, as the brand name and the memory were the two factors which were generally used to make a decision on which one to purchase. Not only do we now all know a lot more about current technology but we also have to decide between desktop PCs, laptops, netbooks and now nettops as well.

If you are wondering whether a nettop might suit you then you might be interested in seeing the following list of benefits:

1. Size. This is a big concern for many computers users who work or play in a small space, and a nettop is often seen as an ideal compromise between having a machine which is small enough to fit in just about anywhere and still having a good processing speed and decent storage capacity. If you simply don’t have the room for a full size computer, or you want something which you can easily be moved from room to room, then this is a good choice for you to look at. While they aren’t nearly as portable as netbooks their slimness and lightness mean that you can easily hook one up in your bedroom and then transport it to another room to carry on your work when you want a change of scenery. The best thing is that the top models pack a lot more power into their small frames than you might expect.

2. Price. Nettops are substantially less expensive than full sized computers. You can generally find one which suits you for under $200 / £125 / €150. If you want a really top of the range all in one nettop with a touch screen and more power and storage than the standard ones then you should be looking at paying a bit more than double that price.

When you are looking for a really good nettop one of the first things to look at is the power and speed of the processor inside it, as this is what is going to determine whether it gives you a good performance or not.

This is one feature which had let down some of the nettop manufacturer Gilda’s earlier models, as they relied upon Intel Atom processors which just couldn’t deliver the power and speed which other models could. As a result, Giada’s models were generally always seen as a slightly poorer quality option that some others.

This is no longer the case, as the launch of the Giada D2301 introduces a new, beefed up model with Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 options gives the firm a powerful new line of machines which can compete with anything else in the nettop market.

It comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options and a range of ports such as HDMI, SPDIF and DVI. There are 4 USB 2.0 slots and one USB 3.0 option. It runs the Windows 7 Home Premium operation system.

The rest of the specs aren’t bad either, as the graphics come courtesy of the NG ION graphics card and the disc drive comes with DVD and Blu-Ray compatibility. There is also a digital TV tuner. There are 2.5 inches of hard drive storage and 2 x 8 GB of DDR3 RAM.

The whole things measures in at a petite 9.1 x 6.9” x 2.2” (231 x 175 x 56mm) and could be a great computer solution if you want a sleek, powerful and unobtrusive machine.

The price and release date haven’t yet been released but we can assume that the enhanced specs will make it a bit more expensive than other Giada nettops already on the market.

A few years ago buying a computer offered few choices. You basically set a budget and chose the best deal you could get for the price. However, with the development of laptops, netbooks, and finally nettops, there are many options available for consumers. Netbooks now provide an affordable option for consumers who want a green product, a product that requires very little space, or an affordable option for searching the web and sending email. Netbooks are basically extremely small PC systems that require very little energy and provide an option for saving money on buying a computer. Consider the following options when shopping for your new Nettop system. After all there are hundreds of options to choose from.

Choose Your Processor Carefully

Processors vary greatly depending on the model you buy. The first nettop computers offered atom proccesors. These single cord options usaully provide 1.6 Ghz and will provide the speed for basic computing jobs. These processors can quickly get you through sending and email, updating your facebook status, or writing a report in Microsoft word. However, if you want to watch HD videos or download them directly to your PC this isn’t the processor you need. A higher performance processor option is an dual core atom processor. These processors will provide a much shorter downtime when waiting on videos or games.

Graphics Should be Considered

Nettops were first offered with Intel integrated graphics. These systems provide low level performance for playing games or watching high definition videos. However, with the introduction of Nvidia’s ION graphic platform gaming or watching your favorite show is much easier. If the nettop is configured to include an Atom processor and ION graphic platform you should have no problem playing games like World of Warcraft or watching HD movies online.

Storage Is Important

While you are not going to get a 4GB harddrive and 560 GB storage on a nettop you can find systems that offer a great deal. The standard nettop offers one GB of RAM and in most cases 160GB of storage capacity. This is much less than you will find in the average new PC today. However, if you plan to simply use the nettop for basic computing and internet this may be perfect. If not, you do have the option to order a custom nettop with more RAM and storage for the additional price tag. Consider the amount of storage you will need for music, picture storage, and basic document files before making the choice.

In addition to the top three concerns you should also consider whether you want an all in one nettop. These systems include the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and built in speakers. If you prefer to buy your own monitor you can buy a nettop that can clip on to the back of it for easy storage.

Pricing for nettop computers will generally start around $300 for a basic system and increase to over $500 for an all in one system that includes the monitor.