Is the netbook at 60% of the cost of a laptop worth getting? I use a laptop in my car and do not have to carry the computer by hand, so weight is not a consideration. These days the price of a good laptop ( HP brand ) is about $500 if you wait for the specials, so the price of netbook vs. laptop is not that much different. What are the drawbacks of owning a netbook? Is the portability worth having less capacity?
Laptop vs netbook, which one is the better choice
- Thread starter Ceiling Cat
- Start date
less powerful processor (may have problems doing audio/video conversions)
may have an earlier or less capable version of Windows (Windows XP, Windows 7 Starter, etc.)
no optical drive (CD/DVD)
Max RAM = 1-2 Gig
usually a smaller keyboard (if you have fat fingers)
may have an earlier or less capable version of Windows (Windows XP, Windows 7 Starter, etc.)
no optical drive (CD/DVD)
Max RAM = 1-2 Gig
usually a smaller keyboard (if you have fat fingers)
The smaller screen might also be a consideration as well.
If you only intend to use it for email, web browsing and M$ Office applications only, the netbook might be ok for you. However, don't expect Windows to fly with the slower processor.
Any applications that require heavier video or memory requirements would be best done on a full laptop. If you have intensive 3D gaming in mind you should consider a desktop.
If you only intend to use it for email, web browsing and M$ Office applications only, the netbook might be ok for you. However, don't expect Windows to fly with the slower processor.
Any applications that require heavier video or memory requirements would be best done on a full laptop. If you have intensive 3D gaming in mind you should consider a desktop.
It depends what you want to do. If all you're going to do is check your email and a couple of websites then a netbook is perfectly acceptable, and the extended battery life on most netbooks is great--my netbook gets around 7hr of use off a single charge which is just awesome.
On the other hand if you wanted to watch videos on it, a netbook won't be able to play 1080p video and the small screen might be an issue, ditto if you want to play video games on it, or if you work other CPU intensive applications. For this reason I also have a fully powered laptop for these other applications.
Netbooks are great for throwing in a bag and checking your email on the road, not great for other things.
On the other hand if you wanted to watch videos on it, a netbook won't be able to play 1080p video and the small screen might be an issue, ditto if you want to play video games on it, or if you work other CPU intensive applications. For this reason I also have a fully powered laptop for these other applications.
Netbooks are great for throwing in a bag and checking your email on the road, not great for other things.
IMHO it is debatable HP is a 'good' laptop according to this quality chart:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/17/this-just-in-macbooks-are-more-reliable-than-netbooks/
That said it all depends what you need it for to determine which is best for you be it either a laptop or netbook. They both have their strong points. I prefer the full functions of a Toshiba laptop which can be had for ~$450, over a netbook.
I think the best of both worlds are the ~11.6 and 12 inch ULV (ultra low voltage) notebooks.. Still only about 3 lbs, less than $600 for a decent one, and they have decent performance and screen resolution for average office productivity and web activities.
15 inch laptops that have the same resolution as 13 inch ones are the cheapest laptops out there because they don't have to be engineered for space efficiency and the low pixel density screens are cheap.
15 inch laptops that have the same resolution as 13 inch ones are the cheapest laptops out there because they don't have to be engineered for space efficiency and the low pixel density screens are cheap.
You're right on, Fuji. I have both. The netbook is great for email & web surfing. Mine has sufficient umph to run MS Office, but the display is too small to really work on.
Past that, the laptop is always with me - albiet somewhat bulkier.
R2R
have you considered an ipad? email, browsing, can link to your pc at home, movies, games, books. great size format, good battery life, instant on/off, might be an option. in my imo a better extension to a laptop than a netbook or ulv.
blackberry is going to announce their blackpad in the next month or so, certainly before christmas, with a more business minded focus if that what you desire.
tc
blackberry is going to announce their blackpad in the next month or so, certainly before christmas, with a more business minded focus if that what you desire.
tc
