Notebook or Netbook: What's the Difference?

[Eyeless Blond]

I was perusing Hot Deals, and noticed a couple of good ones for HP notebooks. I've been pondering buying a laptop to have something for bus rides to/from work (blegh for 2 hour round-trip commutes, but what are you gonna do in this economy?), and I noticed that I can't really decide between a notebook and a netbook.

So, is it weird that I'm torn between this deal w/ the Envy 14 (~$900+tax) and the $25 off HP dm1z deal (combine with in-store rebate for ~$425+tax)? I guess this just means I really have no idea what I want to do with a laptop when I do get one: I've never actually owned a laptop, so I've no idea whether I'd be a better fit for a 14-inch or a ("super") netbook.

I guess my big problem is that I've never really used a laptop for anything before, and I'm curious to know what advice those who have made the leap have for those who are thinking about it.

 

[Hacp]

Notebook=heavy 14+ incher. Who wants to carry a book with you?
Netbook=light machine that is CHEAP and you can put in your bag or purse. Netbooks usually have good battery life. The fusion netbooks have very good performance also.

 

[Eyeless Blond]

Notebook=heavy 14+ incher. Who wants to carry a book with you?
Netbook=light machine that is CHEAP and you can put in your bag or purse. Netbooks usually have good battery life. The fusion netbooks have very good performance also.

Yeah, I was talking about this in the Hot Deals thread, and I realised something. Now that I think about it, the only thing I'm really concerned about is the display. A 14-inch Radiance screen is worth a lot more than an 11-inch Brightview screen... but is it really worth $500 and another two pounds of weight more?

God, I'd love to pay $750 and split the difference, pairing the Zacate processor with a 14-inch Radiance display. Anyone out there at HP listening?

 

[OS]

those two computers are really different, you might want to decide what criteria are more important to you.

btw, 2 lbs difference is a freaking lot for notebooks, totally different class and portability.

if you need help deciding, a 5 lb notebook although not heavy, will be kind of inconvenient to flip open on a bus. 3 lb would be easy.

 

[Zap]

There isn't any super solid definition of netbook, but typically it is small and cheap.

You really want to think about what you'll use it for before making the jump, because while underpowered and with a small screen, a netbook is just so much easier to flip open and use on public transportation. Also, a couple pounds here and there can make a difference, even if you have to walk just a block. I know! I have a gaming notebook that weighs almost 13 pounds, plus another 2 pounds or so for the power brick! So I think, "it shouldn't be too bad just carrying it in to a LAN." Then, I went to a LAN where parking was a block away...

Two other thoughts favoring netbooks. The first is that they are cheap, so you aren't out much. This goes for if you don't use it, or if it gets lost/damaged during your commute. Hey, it could happen!

The second is the battery life. If you choose a netbook with good battery life (yes, there are some without) then it will last your commute to/from work and even lunch, so you won't have to bring the AC adapter.

Alternately, if you don't really need a computer but just want something to while the time away, how about a non-traditional computing device? If you are a bookworm, get an Amazon Kindle. If you are into gaming, how about a PSP or Nintendo DS? If you want apps, how about one of the Apple iOS devices (iPhone/iPad/Ipod Touch)? Android smartphone/tablet are somewhat similar, and Android's marketshare is growing at a faster rate.

 

[speg]

Macbook Air.

 

[jihe]

There isn't any super solid definition of netbook, but typically it is small and cheap.

You really want to think about what you'll use it for before making the jump, because while underpowered and with a small screen, a netbook is just so much easier to flip open and use on public transportation. Also, a couple pounds here and there can make a difference, even if you have to walk just a block. I know! I have a gaming notebook that weighs almost 13 pounds, plus another 2 pounds or so for the power brick! So I think, "it shouldn't be too bad just carrying it in to a LAN." Then, I went to a LAN where parking was a block away...

Two other thoughts favoring netbooks. The first is that they are cheap, so you aren't out much. This goes for if you don't use it, or if it gets lost/damaged during your commute. Hey, it could happen!

The second is the battery life. If you choose a netbook with good battery life (yes, there are some without) then it will last your commute to/from work and even lunch, so you won't have to bring the AC adapter.

Alternately, if you don't really need a computer but just want something to while the time away, how about a non-traditional computing device? If you are a bookworm, get an Amazon Kindle. If you are into gaming, how about a PSP or Nintendo DS? If you want apps, how about one of the Apple iOS devices (iPhone/iPad/Ipod Touch)? Android smartphone/tablet are somewhat similar, and Android's marketshare is growing at a faster rate.

The new Kindle 3 is great. It is amazingly reassuring to know that you have your books with you anywhere anytime. I now read while standing in a queue at the supermarket. You will never be bored again.

 

[cbn]

The new Kindle 3 is great. It is amazingly reassuring to know that you have your books with you anywhere anytime. I now read while standing in a queue at the supermarket. You will never be bored again.

How about browsing the internet?

Obviously movies can't be watched (due to the current generation e-ink display), but what about everything else?

 

[Eyeless Blond]

Ah, the Kindle 3. I don't even think I want to go there. I already read too many books as it is, and only manage to keep it affordable by using half and other used book sites/stores; I might go bankrupt buying ebooks off of Amazon.

A Kindle might be interesting, but it doesn't do everything I'd want it to do. It can't run Brain Workshop, for instance. It doesn't have a decent word processor; it can't play movies; the web browser is pretty terrible. Etc etc. Maybe a Nook Color, but the screen is so tiny.

OTOH, a tablet would be very interesting, if they made one that can recognize handwriting from a stylus, for notetaking purposes. Do the new generations of tablets have that kind of functionality, or have on-screen keyboards come far enough that they don't suck terribly?