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Netbooks and laptops are optimized for different use scenarios. Read this guide to get the scoop.

Netbooks are a great choice for users who want an ultra-portable computer that’s optimized for:
- Surfing the Internet
- Sending and receiving email
- Communicating via instant messaging
- Running very basic software, like Microsoft Word
- Storing minimal amounts of digital photography and music

Laptops are a better option for users whose regular computing activities include:
- Downloading large files
- Running advanced software applications, like Adobe Photoshop
- Storing large amounts of digital photography
- Playing video games (Some Netbooks also can such as ASUS N10J-A2 )
- Watching DVDs

What Makes Netbook Computers Different?

One of the most exciting developments in PC products to come out over the last several years is the netbook, a mini-sized laptop-syle computer that bridges the gap between the portability of a smartphone and the computing power of a notebook PC. While they provide excellent connectivity to the Web (hence, the netbook name), easy packing for your travels and excellent value, netbooks do not have the full computing arsenal you may be accustomed to in a laptop. In this buying guide, we’ll take you through what features you can expect to find from a typical netbook to help you determine if a netbook is right for your needs.

What Specifications Characterize a Netbook?

At its most basic definition, a netbook is a smaller, more mobile laptop-style computer that enables you to connect to the Internet, communicate via email, instant messaging and VoIP telephony/video, enjoy both streaming and stored multimedia, and perform basic office-style tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets.

From a form factor point of view, netbooks have much smaller screens than you’ll find on laptop computers–usually between 7 and 10 inches compared to 12 to 15 inches for most mobile-centric laptops. Unlike some devices labeled as Ultramobile PCs (or UMPCs, such as the Samsung Q1 or the Sony UX series, netbooks have laptop-style keyboards that allow for traditional typing rather than a thumb-style keyboard as well as an electro-static touchpad for navigation.

Aside from the miniaturization of the laptop form, another defining feature of a netbook is its affordability, with most typically found at $500 or lower. But what do you get under the hood?

Specifying the Specs

In keeping with the other smaller attributes enumerated above, you’ll also find that the internal hardware of netbooks aren’t as supersized as you’ll find in today’s mainstream notebooks.

Hard Drive: Where the average size of hard drives in current laptops is about 120 GB, netbooks typically provide between 40 and 80 GB hard drives (and some higher end models offering up to 160 GB). But some netbooks eschew the spinning hard disk drive for a flash memory solid state drive (SSD), like the memory found in the iPod nano. An SSD can typically provide a more rapid boot-up time as well as quicker access to applications. And because there are no moving parts (as there is in a hard disk), SSD-based netbooks are well suited for handling the bumps and knocks of traveling. On the downside, storage capacity is limited to between 4 and 20 GB.

Processor: The processors that run netbooks are geared for mobile usage, meaning that they provide good battery life but usually at the expense of processing power. Thusly, netbooks are at their best at handling Web browsing and music/video playback, but aren’t optimal for video editing or gaming. While many of the first netbook releases used older Intel Celeron M processors, newer models utilize Intel’s Atom processors, which provide improved clock speed and even better battery management. But while Intel had its foot in the door first, it’s being joined by processors from Via, Nvidia, and AMD.

Operating System: While Microsoft Windows and the Mac OS are the dominant operating systems installed on new laptop computers, many netbooks have turned to various forms of the open-source Linux operating system (such as SUSE and Ubuntu) to shave costs. While you might not be familiar with the Linux OS, its graphical interface and ability to run many popular software titles (such as the Firefox web browser) makes for a quick and easy learning curve. However, if you’re not ready to jump into a new OS, some netbooks either come pre-installed or are compatible with your own installation of Windows XP (and, in some cases, Windows Vista).

Other Specifications
Here are some other specs to pay attention to when shopping for netbooks:

Networking: A primary point of the netbook is connecting to the Internet, so almost all include Wi-Fi networking in addition to wired Ethernet connectivity. Most netbooks still rely on older 54g wireless technology (802.11b/g) rather than including new Draft-N connectivity.

Webcam: Another popular feature of netbooks is the ability to video chat with friends, family, and other students, and the majority of models come with a webcam integrated into the screen’s bezel.

RAM: Because the processor and software needs are typically minimal for a netbook, you’ll find that RAM is limited to either 512 MB or 1 GB. And many don’t allow for upgrading the size of RAM beyond 1 GB.

Ports: As with a standard laptop, you’ll be able to connect with peripherals like mice and external hard drives using USB ports, as well as connect to external monitors using a standard VGA connection.

CD/DVD Drive: Because of their small sized and stripped-down specs, optical drives are not included–though you’ll be able to attach optional drives via USB.

Battery Life: Netbook rechargeable batteries typically have smaller capacities than their larger laptop siblings. For the longest time away from your AC charger, look for 6-cell batteries, which can provide between 4 and 6 hours of battery life.

Is a Netbook for Right You?

Here’s a fair analogy of the differences between netbooks and laptop computers: netbooks are about connecting (via email and IM) and consuming (viewing the web, watching streaming video), while laptops offer more robust computing resources for creating (business documents, multimedia, etc.). If you need to run a full-fledged office suite, edit multimedia, or play immersive 3D games, a full-sized laptopis a better choice.

However, netbooks are a suitable and affordable alternative for students and first-time computer users. And they’re also a good choice as an additional family laptop as well as for road warrior-style business travelers who don’t want the bulk of a full-sized laptop in their carry-on. But you need to make sure that you choose a netbook with the right specs for your needs.

When shopping for a younger student (elementary through junior high), a netbook with a smaller SSD hard drive (4 GB to 8 GB) offers a good blend of value and just enough storage for some additional applications and Web downloads. And the basic computing needs for Internet, email/IM, and writing should be fulfilled by the Linux OS.

For older students and families who might want to carry around a larger digital music and video library, look to netbooks with at least a 40 GB hard disk drive. If your media library requires Windows Media Player for playback (such as for purchases or subscriptions), consider paying a little more for a model that is pre-loaded or compatible with Windows.

Business people who want to travel light should look to netbooks with a larger screen (for easier multi-tasking between documents and applications) as well as those with large hard disk drives and pre-installed Windows OS (for optimal connection to corporate networking and communication).

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