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Netbook or Notebook? 5 ways to decide
The laptop of yours has a screen that's plenty big, has enough storage for whatever you want to do, and has versatility out the ying-yang. But it's expensive. It's heavy. Your aching back tells you there must be a better way. There is. It's a netbook, a smaller, lighter portable PC designed to give you the best of both worlds.
With the portability and cheapness of a smartphone and the keyboard of a laptop, a netbook just might hit that sweet spot. Let's look at the positives and negatives, figuring out if netbooks are "just good enough." Join into our argument with ourselves in the comments section at the bottom of the article, pointing out the good and bad points of this exploding computing phenomenon.
Before we get started, what the heck is a netbook, anyway? Netbooks aren't classified by some formal specification, but have informally evolved into a set of characteristics that are pretty close to being standard. Specifically, they weigh between 2 to 3 pounds, they have a screen measuring between 7 and 10 inches diagonally, most run an Intel Atom CPU, they have Wi-Fi B and G (but usually not N), Ethernet connectivity, at least one USB port, a built-in camera and headphone/microphone jacks. Best of all, they're a whole lot cheaper than notebooks and desktops. Here's Wikipedia's comprehensive table showing most of the dozens of netbooks on the market today.
1. Smaller/lighter
Good: Most of these tiny books weigh between 2 and 3 pounds, lightening the load considerably, and also fitting easily in your backpack, briefcase or purse. Their 7-to-10-inch screens are fine for everyday tasks like e-mail and simple Web browsing.
Bad: If you have large hands, you might feel awfully cramped by the keyboards of these small machines, ranging from 80 to 95% of a full-size laptop keyboard. And while you can get away with small screens for simple tasks, if you every try to do real work, with multiple apps and windows open simultaneously, on a netbook, things will start to feel cramped pretty fast.
2. It's all you need
Good: Web browsing, e-mail checking, writing, talking on Skype: these are all ideal uses for netbooks, storing your data "in the cloud" and getting things done without breaking your back lugging around an anvil-like laptop. If you need more storage, you can usually plug in a thumb drive or flash memory. And what about CDs or DVDs? They are so last century.
Bad: Netbooks are underpowered. If you want to edit pictures using Photoshop, a netbook's Intel Atom processor is way too lame to get anything done quickly. The lack of optical storage, even if you can plug in an external unit, is also a dealbreaker for some users.
3. They're getting better at playing back video
Good: Proven by the first appearance of NVIDIA's Ion platform, video playback in small form factors will become more reliable, displaying 720p/1080i for sure, with even some talk of 1080p playback on the HP Mini 110 Netbook, due to ship in a couple of weeks. If this works, you could use a netbook in your home theater to watch downloaded HD movies.
Bad: Even if these netbooks could play back 1080p, they probably can't handle Flash video from sites such as Hulu or YouTube, none of which are enhanced by video acceleration. You'll probably need a lot more horsepower than the paltry processors inside a netbook to play back streaming HD movies, complete with 5.1 sound.
4. Some can run Mac OS X
Good: The Dell Mini 9 has been successfully hacked to run Mac OS X with all its features intact. And, Windows 7 will be available on netbooks.
Bad: Hackintosh on a netbook? It might do in a pinch, but with those tiny, slow processors inside, they're not going to break any speed records. Also, you'll have to buy the software, raising the price so much that it might negate the advantage of a netbook.
5. The price is right
Good: Priced at $300 to around $500, you get a lot of bang for the buck with these cheap PCs. Opt for Linux, and they run even faster, plus you don't have to pay for Windows XP. We even saw a Dell netbook on sale for $200 a few weeks ago, and whoa, that 3K Razorbook 400 netbook you see pictured above is $148.
Bad: Those $300-$500 prices are just the beginning, rising quickly if you add more RAM or disk space, which is sorely needed. You can end up spending 700 or $800 if you get one of the larger netbooks crammed with options.
By Capt Hal Jordan at 9:16 AM ON 06/02/09
i have the ASUS 900HA, and i have no problem keeping up with "the big boys" as far as programs, i have PS CS2 and it runs as flawlessly and as fasta s my buddys 2.5ghz 17" monster. My specs are 9" screen, 2gig ram, 320gig HD, 1.6 ATOM. and still under $400. This little system can and has handle all the big programs without any mods other than memory and HD (comes with 160gig HD and 1 gig memory pre installed both user accessible)
By Mosrhun at 10:24 AM ON 06/02/09
@Capt:
If by, "the big boys" you mean a large laptop with crappy hardware then yes. Let's see it hold it's own against my Alienware X15, with a 9800m GTX and a 2.8GHz with a 6 meg L2 chache. And my laptop is only 15 inches.
By nicholasjh at 12:08 PM ON 06/02/09
I got my laptop for 350 after rebate, and it works great... upgraded to 2 gigs of ram for an extra $80 and it runs at a 3 on the vista rating system. not sure why I would be a netbook for the same price. the processor is a dual core 1.6ghz. It even runs city of heroes just fine.
By anonyme at 4:21 PM ON 06/02/09
@mosrhun and how much did you pays yours only 2000$ more than his plus I'd like to see a m15x with a 9800m gtX not overheating
By Capt Hal Jordan at 2:34 PM ON 06/03/09
@mosrhun
there are not many systems that can compare with alienware laptops so honestly your point is kind of moot. the "big boys" i was referring to are ones like HP, Dell etc. For the price you paid (starting at $1500 from the site) I think $275 base with $30 for the 2gig memory, $50 for the 320gig HD and $40 for a DVD DL +- external is a fantastic deal. System is running VistaHP @ 2.7 UE, Photoshop CS2, MS Office2007, Poser 7, Autocad and Corel draw 11, it runs these programs without flaw or delay.
@nicholasjh That does sound like a great deal. Was it refurbished? at 15" sounds like it weighs about 4.2lbs? (2.5lbs for mine) whats the battery life? (I'm getting 5.2 hours 50% light watching DVDs)
I'm not trying to bust any ones chops on their system, I'm just saying it's just as good of an everyday primary system as the more expensive larger laptops, plus it's a heck of a lot easier to lug around. I've had everything from 12" compaqs (late 90s) to to an HP dv8000 (2006-7) And this little jewel runs just as good if not better.
By Anonymous at 2:42 PM ON 06/03/09
@nicholasjh my apologies i forgot it was mosrhun that had the 15" screen, please disregard. What is the screen size on your system?
By Author at 3:29 AM ON 06/04/09
I just have a problem typing on such a small keyboard. Even my 17" is just at the right size, anything smaller for repeat use would cause the worst carpel-tunnel
By menahunie at 5:18 PM ON 06/04/09
From reading allot of these posts seems allot of posters have gotten off the point of this article. This "Little" ; "NetBooks" and I use one is for simple mudain tasks; e mails, web surfing, word processing.
I read about 200-300 starting price; then 50 for a hard drive - I use the one from my FULL Sized Laptop when needed, more ram, etc.
When all is said and done with the extra expense - WHY BUY ONE THEN? JUST GET A LAPTOP THEN.....
By namelessme at 8:31 PM ON 06/04/09
You forgot to mention that most of these netbooks have crappy XP installed on them. An indication that they cannot handle more than that.
By genealogybug at 12:44 AM ON 06/05/09
How would a handheld PC compare with a netbook for handling a large (1200 people) genealogy database, plus address book and Word? I'm trying to decide which to buy.
By muley at 5:24 PM ON 06/11/09
Why buy a netbook when your cellphone can already do just about everything a netbook can? The only difference is a bigger screen and keyboard. And you can carry a cellphone in your pocket.
By Brucewhatup at 2:09 AM ON 06/14/09
Re hand cramping, a Netbook user can get a portable keyboard. There are basically three types: rubber roll up type, hard fold up type, and solid type like Atek's OnBoard Travel Keyboard.
By Ardi@wireless technology at 6:51 PM ON 09/10/09
According to my opinion, Netbook is suitable for high mobility activities, low budget and for student. But not good for bad eyes sight because the screen is small.
on your cellphone!
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Ardi@wireless technology:
According to my opinion, Netbook is suitable for high mobility activities, low budget and for student. But not good...More »