What's the Difference Between a Netbook and a Laptop Computer?

The between a netbook and a laptop essentially will depend on upon size, computing ability, price, and the supply of certain hardware (namely an optical drive). A netbook is equivalent to a laptop in almost every way, simply smaller. Smaller size, smaller ability, smaller price, and a smaller selection of recommended add-ons. Of course there are exceptions, most especially price. You may of course get a netbook sized computer for an entire size laptop price, but it is not required. Which laptop you choose is up to you, when you still have questions about the in the hardware between laptops and mini netbooks then continue reading below.

Size is the ultimate way to differentiate a netbook from a ruggedhandheld computers. A netbook's size will range from 10 inches to 10 in .. There are of course smaller netbooks, however they are almost more like oversized mobile phones, which the phone part. Standard laptops, also called notebooks, are from 13 inches to 17 inches wide. The size used when referring to a laptop or netbook is the diagonal measurement of the screen. This typically tested from the bottom remaining corner of the display to the top right corner. The larger display screen the heavier and less mobile the computer is. Therefore if you are buying a laptop that you can put in a bag as small as a purse and never have it weigh you down, then the netbook is the pc of choice. However, if you are more considering watching films in your hotel then maybe a 17 in . laptop is the one for you. You to choose whatever dimensions are best for you, just remember that there are tradeoffs with whatever you decide on.

The price difference between netbooks and laptops can certainly be a couple bucks or a few thousand bucks. This all is determined by what type of laptop you are comparing it to. Netbook computers usually range from hundred buck to $400. Where as laptops can vary from three hundred to over $3000.

The laptop that comes with the $300 price draw and the $3000 draw are obviously going to more diverse from just display screen size. The processor, design chip, RAM, and hard drive are all heading to be areas that you're going to have to sacrifice directly into be able to fit a laptop under $300. But, the good thing is that 95% of individuals who are searching for laptops no longer need everything extra hardware, people just desire a computer that can hook up to the internet and check their email. Therefore, a netbook is precisely the computer that average internet emailer and Twitter program updater need.

The one major caveat that you will be going to have to watch away for if you go for the netbook over the laptop is that a netbook rarely comes with an internal optical drive. This means that there is no way to watch movies from Digital video disks or listen to a CD on the computer without adding an exterior drive or streaming it over the internet or your home network.

The above mentioned four areas are the major variations between a netbook and a laptop. Screen-size, price, computer electricity, and optical drive. Netbook computers and laptops can function in virtually the same way, netbooks will just see it on a smaller screen and not do it quite as soon as the full sized laptop.