The difference: Laptop and Netbook

You can simply call a Netbook as mini-notebook or mini-laptop. In fact, I have heard salespersons calling them mini-laptops instead of Netbooks. So if some sales executives talks about mini-laptops or mini-notebook computers at local supermarket, know that he is referring to Netbooks.

A Netbook is actually a miniature version of a Laptop.

a.) Screen is much smaller for a Netbook. (At least 3-4 inches less than a laptop).

b.) A Netbook is lightweight as compared to a laptop computer.

c.) A Netbook will cost much less as compared to laptop or notebook.

d.) Netbook has longer battery life than a laptop! That’s what makes it ideal for business people, students, writers and travelers.

e.) Software installed on Netbook or Laptop may or may not be same.

Initial installations on both hardware systems (Netbook and Laptop) will always vary. However, those are recommended settings and you can always alter them to a great degree later on.

What is a Netbook?

So one of your friends told you to buy a Netbook instead of a bulky and expensive laptop that you don’t really need at the moment! Well, your friend must have suggested you to buy a Netbook for a reason. Probably you travel quite a lot or keep on moving from one place to next. If it is so, Netbook is the right choice for you. It will help you to do all basic stuff that you can do with a bulky laptop or a desktop computer.

Shoppers are always puzzled due to the technical jargon that salespersons, websites and even close friends use unnecessarily. Let’s try to define a ‘Netbook’ so that you get a clear idea of what you are going to buy when you visit Amazon for Netbooks or pay a visit to nearby supermarket.

“A Netbook is small to medium sized and energy efficient laptop that has been optimized for services related to Internet at its core. A Netbook is lightweight and a low cost solution for the students, businessmen, travelers, writers etc.”

A Netbook has got everything that a normal laptop or desktop computer has! There is a full-fledged operating system and all sorts of functions in it. However, you can expect to run some heavy games or graphic editing applications on it. That’s simply due to the lack of processing power that a small-sized and lightweight mini-laptop or Netbook cannot handle. Otherwise, you can watch movies, listen to songs, use Office suite or keep your head stuck against your favorite websites with a Netbook!

The name ‘Netbook’ was coined by Intel and they defined it as ‘clamshell notebooks with 7-10.2 inch screens’, specifically built for internet use. Some people buy it for surfing and leisure. Few others buy it for they spend too much time in buses, trains, planes and Netbooks come handy in those situations. Students buy it because it weighs a little more than a copy and provide all sorts of functions they need for academic purposes.