Netbook vs. Laptop/notebook

[Princessx]

I want to get my uncle a netbook as a gift. He wants a laptop/notebook though. I'm not a computer geek (no offense) so don't really know the differences between the two. I've always thought that with a netbook, you can only surf the internet and can't do much else, but with a notebook, you can download things etc. as it has a much larger memory? Not sure if this is correct though.

Can anyone tell me the main differences between the two?

[joker3327]

You can do exactly the same with a netbook as you can with a laptop/notebook...

The main differences are

Screen size netbooks are usually smaller..

Graphics are usually onboard with a netbook so 3D gaming is out of the question.

Battery life... majority of netbooks have far longer battery life usually between 6 - 8 hours

Most netbooks do not have a DVD/CD drive built in... but this can be overcome with an external one..

Netbooks were originally thought of as being a way to surf the net without the weight but with longer battery life, but just recently due to the portability of them they have been "upgraded" to better screens, better CPU's, bigger hard drives and better batteries..

I have both a Laptop and a Netbook... My netbook is used more than my laptop!!

I have yet to find anything that my netbook wont do that my laptop does ! (gaming excluded lol )

[sb89]

The main difference for me between the two is portability. For example I bought a netbook for uni as I didn't want to have to carry a larger, heavier laptop around. But if he's just going to be using around the house I would probably get a laptop.

Netbooks tend not to have a CD/DVD drive, will obviously be a bit less powerful spec wise and a smaller screen. Apart from that there isn't really that much difference.

[A Ginger Sheep]

go for an ultra portable laptop that uses one of intels new culv cpus, means you can have the battery life and portability of a netbook but with more power like a notebook

[Murf]

I've got a Netbook, and it's great.. But for normal use I'd go for a Laptop, although they're more expensive you get more from them..

You can play games on a Netbook though, I recently installed Age of Empires (1st) and it works perfectly!

[PMM]

Netbooks are generally ok as long as your not firing anything demanding at it.

Web surfing.. Fine
Microsoft Office apps... fine
Gaming.. while it will do less demanding older games take it as a bad idea
Watching a Movie.. generally ok but don't expect HD
Batterylife 5-8 hrs depending on manufacturer and battery options some offer extended battery life.
Memory - Microsoft Limit Netbook makers to 2Gb

Win 7 on a netbook is generally quite slow to boot esp if you have anti-virus installed as well, can peg the CPU out 100% for a couple of mins but once done it handles most apps.

[A Ginger Sheep]

just get an 'ultra portable' as i've said, you can play 720p movies fine as well as older games, mine plays knights of the old republic perfectly fine for example but haven't tried anything else yet

[cinek]

netbooks have really small screens, so you need to make sure you like working on a tiny screen, they aren't powerful so don't expect much from them. They do however offer good battery life... but you can get a laptop with decent battery life these days.... e.g. my laptop lasts about 5h while browsing the internet, coding etc.... and it's quite powerful too....

[Simon.]

My parents really wanted netbooks for the size and battery life etc. But after using my NC-10 for a few days, they changed their minds due to the fiddlyness of the mouse pad and keyboard, and the size of the screen.

In short they are ok for use every now and again. But a laptop is more suited to everyday use.

I would see if he can test one first before you buy.

[Themanhunt]

Netbooks are weaker than laptops, due to the decreased space. Plus I hate the small keys and the alternate placements of them.

I prefer Desktops - laptops offer limited customization, and the screen is always too small for me.

[Cetera]

One general issue with netbooks and people who aren't fully sophisticated with computing as a whole, they tend to think computers as being instantly responsive, until they realise they've opened 10 explorer windows.

Depends on the age and eyesight of your uncle, most elderly will prefer a bigger screen size and standard sized keyboard (especially those with wrist issues etc).

For a decent netbook your looking at £250+, for about £375+ you can net yourself a decent notebook.