What’s the Difference and Which Is Better?
Trying to compare the advantages of a netbook vs notebook? Netbooks and notebooks are both popular choices for the mobile user.
However, there are distinct differences between a netbook and a notebook, or laptop, computer.
Knowing these differences will can help you pick the type of portable PC that will be the most fun and useful for your life.
No point in spending a few hundred bucks on something that won’t do what you need to to, right?!
Netbook vs Notebook –> Focus on Netbooks
When it comes to portability netbooks typically win out versus notebook PCs.
Netbooks generally are very light in terms of their weight. These ultra-light machines usually weigh less than three pounds.
Netbooks are made for ultra-mobile computing and are generally very small.
Netbook screens are generally smaller than screens found on notebook computers –usually 12 inches or smaller.
Their compact size let’s you easily carry the netbook in a purse or backpack. The small size of the netbook makes this PC easy to transport and carry, especially if the user carries the machine from place to place throughout the day.
When Is It Better to Have a Netbook vs Notebook?
Netbooks are generally created for Internet access, and they rarely include a CD or DVD drive. The lightweight netbook consumes less power than a traditional notebook, so in theory, these machines should hold a charge for a longer period of time.
Of course, the length of time the netbook keeps its battery charge is both a function of the age and model of the battery, and the amount of time the netbook is used.
Netbook processors are less powerful than processors in notebooks and laptops. Therefore, netbooks are not designed to run several programs at once.
However, if the user mainly utilizes the Internet for web content writing, blog posting, social networking or other common uses, the netbook is a great choice.
Popular Brands of Netbooks
Many of the top manufacturers of notebooks also make netbooks. Acer is a arguably the most popular manufacturer of netbook computers.
Sony, HP and Gateway also produce popular netbook machines.
Netbook vs Notebook –> Focus on Notebooks
As a rule, notebook computers have larger screens than netbooks (typically 13” or larger), and their keyboards are also larger. Notebooks utilize more energy and will normally will hold a battery charge for considerably less time than a netbook.
This is because more resources are required to power the larger processors, CD or DVD drives and other additional hardware.
Notebooks also weigh more than netbooks. Notebook computers generally weigh five pounds or more, depending on the machine’s hardware. Notebooks also have larger hard drives, and these drives will hold much more data than those that are available on netbooks.
When Is It Better to Have a Notebook?
Today’s notebooks are often designed as an alternative to a desktop PC. Therefore, the performance required of notebooks is much more substantial than simple Internet access.
Notebook computers are expected to handle complex programming, large documents, multimedia audio/video editing and graphics just like their desktop PC counterparts.
With the computer power provided by a notebook, these machines are considerably more powerful than netbooks, and will store a great deal more information.
Popular Brands of Notebooks
Several manufacturers make a variety of great notebooks, including Apple (Mac OS of course), Dell, Lenova (formerly IBM), Toshiba, Sony, Acer and HP. Each manufacturer offers several choices with regards to the specifications of the machines.
The more features on the laptop, the more expensive the machine will be.
For example, the larger the hard drive, the more memory that is installed, and the faster the processor (or processors), the more expensive the notebook.
Compact notebooks are also generally more expensive than some larger models.
Apple has blurred the netbook vs notebook line a bit with some of their MacBook products like the MacBookAir.
While it is a powerful, fully featured notebook it is also quite lightweight and compact. Of course the MacBook Air is not particularly affordable which is one benefit that you get with netbooks which usually cost $250-$450.
Solving the Netbook vs Notebook Debate
Still not sure who wins the netbook vs notebook comparison for your needs? Let’s run over the pros and cons of each one again in a quick summary.
Netbooks are less expensive than notebooks. Some netbooks include an abbreviated operating system, whereas notebooks tend to have full operating systems installed.
Notebooks will run several programs at one time, while netbooks are optimized for using a browser to access Internet applications.
Netbooks are lighter and easier to transport than notebooks, and some netbooks will run 12 full hours on one battery charge.
The most energy conserving notebooks generally do not hold a battery charge much longer than 5 or 6 hours, and as the battery ages, the shorter the battery charge will last.
If you need power and heavy-duty computing resources, then a notebook would be your best choice for a mobile machine. If you generally only use a browser to access the Internet, and rarely store files on your computer, a netbook would be for you.
What About an iPad or Tablet PC?
If your mobile device usage includes reading multimedia-rich content, viewing photographs and interacting with social media users, you might consider an iPad or other mobile tablet instead of either a netbook or notebook.
However, if you type emails or other documents, and your mobile computing consist of more than a series of mouse-clicks or swipes, a netbook or notebook is most likely the best choice.
If you want to read about individual models be sure to check out the Netbook vs Notebook models page.