For the last three years, there have been few electronic devices more popular than the netbook. Since they first burst onto the scene, millions of these tiny portable computers have been purchased by people around the world, and those sales numbers are only expected to grow as the technology becomes more advanced. Still, the vast majority of people – even computer users – know little about these machines or what separates them from the typical laptop. There are a few key differences between the two technologies, and understanding those differences is the first step toward understanding why they have become so popular.
The world is shrinking
The most noticeable difference between a netbook and a laptop is in the area of size. With most laptops now sized to accommodate screens averaging around sixteen inches in width, the netbook stands out for its diminutive stature. Many of the smallest netbooks are as tiny as seven inches! In addition, the netbook is pretty much stripped down from a component standpoint, containing no optical drives or other weight-increasing components. The end result is a portable computer that can weigh as little as two pounds. Compared to the smallest laptops – which weigh in at around five to six pounds – it is easy to see why the netbook is so very easy to use in almost any amount of space. When you factor in that many laptops can weigh more than four times the weight of a netbook, there is simply no comparison in as far as portability is concerned.
How they perform
The next major difference between laptops and netbooks is in how well each performs. While both do what they are advertised as doing – netbooks connect you to the internet and laptops do everything a personal computer can do – some people are a little disappointed when they first attempt to perform a variety of applications on their netbook. The fact is that these tiny units have enough processing power to handle some word processing and website browsing, but not much else. Nevertheless, for the user who understands these limitations and simply wants a smaller version of a laptop to connect to the internet while on the go, these limitations pose no problem whatsoever.
Price
And then there’s the price. If you’ve purchased a decent laptop recently, you are already aware that prices can run in excess of $1,000 for a quality machine. Netbooks, because of their size, weight, and reduced performance capabilities, can be purchase for less than half of that amount. In fact, many netbooks can be routinely found for as little as $300!
As you can see, the differences between the average netbook and laptop are stark. No one who wants to use their portable computer for everything that they would do with a desktop computer should think that a netbook is sufficient for their needs. Still, for travelers who need only to browse the web and email, or perform light document creation while out of the office, a netbook can be a wise investment.
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