Notebook
vs.
Netbook

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Notebook

2
Software Capabilities
2
Portability
2
Peripherals and Connectivity
2
Performance
2
Low Cost
2
Comfort of Use

Netbook

Notebook

A notebook is a portable, powerful computer that can do almost anything a full blown desktop computer can do. Notebooks are usually quite expensive and dependable.

Netbook

Netbooks almost seem like a toy, but are not. They are good for some tasks, such as Internet browsing, and are very portable and cheap.

Software Capabilities

Notebooks are usually equipped with really good CPUs. This means that they don't have any problem running most software. Any software you may need, such as Microsoft Office suite, Video editing and encoding etc. Netbooks can not compete there because they are built with other CPUs.
Netbooks are mostly designed for use on the Internet. They are less capable in terms of work-related software. Netbooks do not usually have Microsoft-Office installed, but rather the alternatives such as Open Office. These programs can usually read and write MS-Office documents without any problem. However, netbooks have limited memory capacity and CPU. This means that you can not normally have many documents opened at the same time. Having said that, for day-to-day office tasks, netbooks should suffice. When photo editing is concerned, the netbooks lack the better performance of the notebokks and are not really a match. However, if you only need to do these tasks occasionally, a netbook may be adequate. Video editing is a different story, and the netbooks fail miserably in this task. This is again, because of the poor CPU and memory in netbooks.

Portability

Notebooks are harder to carry around then netbooks as they are larger and heavier. Notebooks regularly weigh around the 4lb (2kg) mark and up, with some exceptions such as Macbook Air and Vaio Z, which are quite expensive. The notebook batteries don't usually let you work unplugged for very long, and notebooks are therefore not very portable. Notebooks also contain more moving parts compared to netbooks, and therefore are more likely to suffer some damage when you carry them around.
In terms of portability - netbooks are very light and small and are therefore very easy to carry around. Netbooks are very small. Some would say that they are too small for comfortable work as you can't really find a comfortable position when using them on your lap. They weigh under 2.2lb (1kg). The netbooks also usually have long battery life because they have low power consumption. Many hold for more than 4-5 hours. Another advantage of the netbooks is that they usually have solid state drives which have no moving parts. This lets them use less power, as there is no need to operate the drive's motor, and also makes them a bit more resilient, since the solid state drives are less sensitive than the regular ones.

Peripherals and Connectivity

Notebooks are like almost all desktops in the sense that they have all sorts of ports (USB, HDMI, etc) and DVD/CD drives.
Netbooks are not very good at connecting to peripherals. They do not have HDMI ports and no CD or DVD drives as well. In terms of Internet connectivity, netbooks come with Wi-Fi built in and many have Bluetooth as well. The bluetooth lets them connect wirelessly to a 3G mobile phone, which you can use for internet access on the move. Some of the latest models have built-in 3G connectivity, however, they don't have a LAN port.

Performance

Notebooks usually have a lot of CPU power in them, but most buyers don't really use the power available to them. This is also true for graphics, as most notebooks are sold with good graphic cards that have processing power of their own. However, if you don't use the notebook for heavy-duty graphical tasks or sophisticated games, you probably don't really need this extra processor. As far as memory is concerned - it is very common to find notebooks with 2 or 4GB of memory.
Netbooks are very modest in terms of CPU and graphic card abilities. The lower performance is sometimes offset for some people by the fact that the netbooks use less power and therefore their batteries last longer. Netbooks are usually also very limited with memory. As netbooks are mostly used for Internet browsing, it is important to note that in terms of performance - many websites today are very rich in multimedia content, especially Flash - which requires a lot of processing power. Pages like that may hog up resources and bring the netbook to a halt. Keep in mind that a netbook will be ok for most internet tasks, but if you regularly browse to sites with a lot of graphic content, you may want to look elsewhere.

Low Cost

Notebooks are not cheap at all. Some notebooks may seem cheap, but when they are - they are usually not very good.
Netbooks are very cheap, and getting cheaper. With computers it is always value for money, and with netbooks you get a lot for your money. Whichever way you look at it - you get an almost fully functioning computer - albeit very small - for a very low price.

Comfort of Use

Buying a notebook, you can expect to find quality keyboards and screens of reasonable size. These screens should let you work comfortably for long periods of time without squinting or getting a headache. The screens usually offer high resolutions with excellent contrast. The keyboards on notebooks are usually nearly full-size and very comfortable. They are easy to type on and are not likely to be frustrating or difficult to work with in the long run.
Netbooks are mainly for Internet access, and their comfort of use reflects that. The Netbooks' screens are small - most are just 10 inch - and are usually low-quality compared to other screens. Being small, it is not very comfortable to read, play games or watch videos or them for longer periods of times. The size and quality may make you tired, because of the need for squinting, and in some cases give you headaches. Netbook keyboards are more often than not just too small. Some netbook manufacturers such as HP and Sony are better in this respect but on the whole - the keyboard size and also the individual keys size or mappings may be awkward to get used to and become really uncomfortable for most users. Note that as far as key mapping is concerned, this can be somewhat mitigated by remapping individual keys. Some users seem to get cramps from the netbooks' keyboards. The comfort of use is further encumbered by the inability of netbooks to run some types of software. This is covered in the software category.

Notebook

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Netbook

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Notebook

Average rating: 5 / 5
based on 49 customer reviews
Feel factor: 3


It is causing excitement

(Score 5/5)

I bought the computer for a friend and now her son and husband are going crazy...they want one too.
Great features. Powerful computer.

Posted on: 2009-12-16
By Jeanette Solomon



not so good

(Score 1/5)

I am very disappointed with this laptop. After only two months of having and using very little, while downloading the Norton 360 online (the 60 day version that came with the computer had expired), the computer crashed! I have to say however, that I had a good experience with TOSHIBA. TOSHIBA was very professional and quick to replace the hard drive, but I feel like I have purchased a lemon and treat this computer very tenderly. I doubt that it will last as long as my Dell desk top - 10 years and still going. I'll think twice before buying another PC and may just invest and upgrade to a MAC next time.

Posted on: 2009-07-20
By H. McDonald
Helpful index: 0%



Excellent laptop

(Score 5/5)

Excellent laptop with great system at unbeatable price at Amazon.Wanna order another one but it sold out..You will not regret buying this laptop

Posted on: 2009-06-25
By c051e



toshiba laptop

(Score 5/5)

it seems to be a great laptop...only 2 days with me but so far so good..no problems at all...

Posted on: 2009-06-13
By Maria Garces Luisa



Great computer

(Score 4/5)

I'm not real good on computers and this is only the fifth I've ever bought. This one seems to be the easiest to use and is the fastest. Still learning more on how to get the most of it, but after a month I'm impressed!

Posted on: 2009-05-10
By David Griffey

Netbook

Average rating: 5 / 5
based on 906 customer reviews
Feel factor: 4


Solid Netbook, good price.

(Score 4/5)

I bought this netbook about a year back now (2009) and its treated me fine ever since. To get all the negative aspects out of the way, I'll list them first: it attracts fingerprints horribly, no hdmi input, battery is a bit heavy compared to most netbooks, it doesn't run Windows 7 (so if you don't like xp...), shift key is too small to be reliable, and the mousepad is flimsy. Also, Flash still doesn't run too well on the Atom processors, so anything that has flash in it may be a bit laggy unplugged, and marginally better plugged in.

However, these flaws do not make this a bad buy by and means. If you get a skin for it the computer will look great and stay great (no fingerprint mess). The battery life is unparalleled (I've made it last 10 hours at max) and with regular care this computer can get some pretty good mileage. I would invest in a portable mouse, portable speakers, and a skin. Its really portable, although not too sleek, and its still a powerhouse compared to most other netbooks on the market.

Posted on: 2010-09-25
By Hiphopoppotomus



Computer - Great! Charger - design flaw...

(Score 4/5)

I've owned this for over a year (purchase May 2009) and LOVE the computer. Everything works as advertised with great wi-fi connectivity and super battery life. The only thing is the charger is starting to die. The blue power light won't come on and charge the laptop unless I can hold it in exactly the right position, and that position changes from day to day and is harder to find. This problem has started suddenly about 2 weeks ago and is quickly getting worse. I've found a replacement charger on line (the ASUS web site says they are "out of stock" - probably because of so many problems!). Try: [...] for [...] delivered. I would give 5 stars if the charger wasn't flawed because the computer itself is perfect!

Posted on: 2010-09-23
By GNH



exactly what i expected

(Score 5/5)

this netbook does everything I ask. i replaced the hdd with a ssd and it boots up in about 20 seconnds. Beach Camera delivered it about 4 days earlier than expected which was also a pleasant suprise.

Posted on: 2010-09-20
By jerry
Helpful index: 100%



Great service!

(Score 5/5)

Great service- came way sooner than I thought-the laptop looks brand new-all the packaging and manuals and cords were still wrapped. Thanks!

Posted on: 2010-09-11
By Sue1020
Helpful index: 0%



I Love this Product! Add RAM before Using!

(Score 5/5)

More RAM is the key for usability/speed! Fast and reliable ... I even took out the 300 Gig drive and replaced with a 500 Gig drive. Well made and reliable.


Posted on: 2010-08-30
By Jim
Helpful index: 100%

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