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.
