Netbooks Vs Notebooks: Which One to Buy?

Buying a computer can be an interesting experience, especially if it is the first time. The variety of models, makes, types, and add-ons can be extremely overwhelming for the computer buyer.

It used to be clear-cut. If you wanted a computer for basic Internet surfing, game playing and basic writing capabilities you would buy a desktop computer. If you were a business warrior, that is a person who travels a lot on business, and needs a computer for working, you would buy a notebook. Of course within each category (desktop or laptop) the variety is impressive and it can make your computer buying experience really stressful.

How much memory RAM to buy? How big the hard drive? How fast the chip should be? Were usually the questions you had when trying to but either a desktop computer or a notebook. Now there is new dimension to the computer buying experience. That is the appearance of a new type of computer: The Netbook.

It seem that the sales of notebooks is going extremely well. In fact, it was predicted that this year (2009) will be the year when more notebook will be sold as compared to desktops. However, one of the main drawbacks of notebooks is the price. Notebooks are notoriously more expensive than desktop computers. So, computer manufactures came up with a solution: a cheaper notebook: The Netbook.

What are Netbooks?

Netbooks are new mini-computers (with an Notebook-like appearance) designed specifically for the Internet, to communicate, and view information. They are smaller than notebooks with monitor sizes below ten inches (7 to 10 inches). Of course, they are lighter than Notebooks and have a higher battery recharge life, so you do not need to charge its battery during the day. Because of their smaller size and lighter weight they are more portable and basically can be used for wireless connections.

What about Notebooks?

Notebooks are also portable. But they weight more. Their battery needs more recharges (that is why you need to recharge your Notebook battery during your trip). Notebooks screens are bigger (above 10 inches) and are more multi-purpose built. What I mean with this is that you can do many tasks at the same time (so the bigger RAM memories and hard drive sizes). Although Notebooks are portable like Netbooks, they are becoming less portable as they grow in size. You need a special case or bag to handle them because you need to carry not only the computer but also all the additional devices that come with the computer.

So, Netbook vs Notebook. Which one to buy?

This is of course a difficult question. I guess it all boils down to what you need the portable computer for? If you need it for basic communication (email, chatting, etc) and basic internet surfing then a Netbook seem a good choice because is more portable, smaller, lighter, and cheaper. If you need to handle many tasks while you travel (that is you need a word processor, a spreadsheet, presentation software, big chunks of business information, internet surfing, virus protection software, etc) then a multi-purpose built Notebook seem the right choice.