What’s the difference between a notebook and a netbook? If you’re not sure what the answer to that question is, then you’re in good company. A recent study showed that 60% of consumers don’t know what the difference between the two devices is, and as a result, a lot of people end up getting the wrong machine, that doesn’t do what they want it to.
To help you avoid falling into the same trap, this is a quick guide that will explain what the differences are between the two machines, and help you decide which machine is right for you, depending on your needs.
What is a Notebook?
In order to begin comparing the two devices, it’s important to first understand a little terminology. A notebook is just another name for a laptop computer. Notebooks are portable versions of their desktop cousins, and generally range in size from 12 inches to 20 inches in size.
It used to be the case that notebooks were less powerful versions of regular computers, but these days, that’s no longer true. With advances in technology, notebooks these days have all the features of a desktop, in a compact, portable package. Apple’s new line of MacBook Pros, for example, feature 500 GB hard drives, 2.8 GHz processors, and come built-in with a video camera and microphone.
Really, the only difference between desktops and laptops is the portability and the price– notebooks tend to be more expensive than desktops because they make use of smaller and more advanced components.
What is a Netbook?
Now that we know what a notebook is, what exactly is a netbook? Netbooks are a relatively recent development in computers. Netbooks, like notebooks are portable computers, but tend to be a lot smaller– netbooks are usually 12 inches or less, which puts them into the ultra-portable category.
The main difference between netbooks and notebooks, however, is their performance. Netbooks have much less computing power than traditional notebooks. Take for example the HP 1110nr Netbook, which only has a 1.6 GHz processor and just 8GB of storage space– that’s less capacity than an iPod Nano. This means that these mini-computers have just enough power to browse the ‘Net (hence the name) and maybe do some word processing, but not much else.
The upshot of this is that netbooks are a lot cheaper than notebooks, with most netbooks falling below the $500 price range, with some as low as $100-200. A tricked out Apple notebook, on the other hand, will set you back more than $2000.
Notebook or Netbook?
As we saw above, notebooks are full-fledged computers, and are a lot more powerful than netbooks, but are also more expensive. Netbooks, for their part, are extremely portable and cheap, but don’t have a lot of computing power. So which to choose?
It all depends on what you’re looking for in a computer. If you have only basic uses for a computer, like checking your e-mail, surfing the web, and typing up an occasional letter, and don’t mind a tiny screen, then the netbook would make a great computer for you. Also, if you already own a computer, and are looking for an ultra-portable device that let’s you work while traveling, then the netbook is the perfect solution.
If, on the other hand, you want to organize your photos, run complex graphics programs like Photoshop, or any kind of 3D program, then the more powerful notebook is the one you want to go with. Notebooks will allow you to do pretty much anything you can think of with a computer, from video editing to video conferencing and the latest video games.
Summary
To sum things up, if you’re looking for a super portable computer with only the most basic needs, then a netbook is the right computer for you, but if you need to do anything more intensive the word processing, a notebook is the better choice.
Technology is quickly advancing to the point where it won’t matter what kind of computer to get. Notebooks are getting smaller and cheaper, and netbooks are getting faster and more powerful. Eventually, they’ll converge on a single device that’s portable, powerful, and cheap. Heck, that device could even be your cellphone.
For the time being, though, you’ll need to pick a portable computer that meets your specific needs. Even though a notebook and a netbook sound very similar, they are worlds apart when it comes to performance and price.
-Takeshi, shopping blogger and net/notebook examiner
[...] Notebooks vs Netbooks | Pocket Change from Become.com [...]
[...] fitness equipment, favorite shopping destinations and shopping deals. Go here to read the rest: Notebooks vs Netbooks | Pocket Change from Become.com var addthis_pub = ”; var addthis_language = ‘en’;var addthis_options = ‘email, favorites, digg, [...]
[...] Although they look very similar, there are a lot of differences between a netbook and a notebook. Netbooks are smaller, less powerful, and less expensive versions of traditional notebooks (for a full account of the differences, see my post: Notebooks vs Netbooks). [...]
Plenty of netbooks have 160 gig drives. What can most people do with 500 gig that they can’t 160 gig besides store a bunch of videos?
Yeah notebooks are more powerful but how many people need it. How much of the problem is that the software is too bloated and too inefficient? How many people would rather carry 3 pounds than 8 pounds if they have to travel a lot?
A netbook and a desktop may makes the most sense and both would cost less than some notebooks. A $350 netbook and a $600 desktop, Or get a used desktop and install a new hard drive.