Have you heard of Netbook? It's the latest craze in the growing market for lower cost portable computing devices.  Netbook, and products like it, are basically just low end low cost full computers. They typically run Windows XP Home edition, or a version of Linux. They come with Microsoft Works, a low end tool from Microsoft.  (I think it is Microsoft’s way of tormenting a user and forces them to the full version of Office).

That is the one issue with products like Netbook - the cost to upgrade to the tool you normally use – Office.  An Acer Netbook with XP Home and Works at Costco runs about $250.  It is a fully functioned computer.  You buy it, use it, marvel at the “find” you just bought.  Then you find that Works is driving you nuts. What to do?  Upgrade to Office?  Plan on spending another $250 or so.  Now this cheap little computer is not so cheap. Options?  Live with Works, or try Google Apps.  Google Apps are a set of tools that mimic the functionality of Office but are free.  Yes, I said, “Free”.  They work well, have been extended to work offline now, and can fulfill the needs of most casual Office users.  At the office, where you need to work more aggressively with the productivity suite, this may become more a burden.  However, given the nature of these low end computing devices – limited keyboard and screen size most notably – you might only need limited use of the productivity tools.  If you can live with Works, good for you (and I'm not sure I believe you)! But if you are like most of us - try Google Apps.