Some companies are helping out netbooks with new products built just for the notebook's little brother. If you need an office productivity suite, ThinkFree just released .  ThinkFree does a great job emulating Microsoft Office, but they've modified their software to be sleeker, faster, and easier for new netbook users. Put coupon code thinkfree in during checkout, and the $39.95 price drops to $24.95.

Another netbook-friendly product is the from SmithMicro. The tools promise to improve performance, help backup files and compress and optimize file sizes. Retail price is $39.95. A copy is on the way for me to test so I'll let you know if it helps.

People are optimistic, and probably hoped they could spend less than a “real” notebook and get the same performance with a netbook. Nope, you can't. Don't buy a netbook if you need high performance. The small size is handy and a great advantage at times, but it's not a workhorse computer.

Need portability and a low price? Netbooks lead the way, but only a minor step up gets you a low-end notebook with more power and a CD and/or DVD player.

Need power crunching inside your portable computing device? Get a notebook, not netbook. Need a CD or DVD drive? Notebook. Need portability above all else? Netbook.