Computer Question
 

What is the difference between a Netbook-Notebookand a Laptop? Looking for a small 10" computer that will do the same as my desktop.Must be cheep with an XP OS.

The term netbook is normally used for a small notebook with a small screen and limited processing power (often an Adams processor). Whether or not one of these is adequate for your needs depends what you need it to do.

The netbooks are pretty popular, and will run any winXP software, but the processor specs tell most of the story

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Atom

read the part about "Architecture" - basicallly they are saying that you get a full XP machine, with a slow processor.

Which is fine if the most complex program you run is MSOffice. CAD, any 64-bit application (windows 7?) photoshop, Real Player(lol!) and you can plan to do a lot of waiting. I've never owned one, but thats what the GFLOP numbers tell me =)

Remember also that most netbooks do not have a CD or DVD drive, you are probably buying yourself into one of these at some point depending on how much playing/installing you do. Not a bad thing, but its another $30 if you need it.

Between the processor, the lack of optical drives, and the small screen (I think that most have a VGA plug so you can use a bigger screen if you want) thats most of how they drive the cost down.
Upsides are size, cost and some have great battery life (YMMV =)

There is still no free lunch in the computer world, but a few of my unit members brought them to Iraq (we were there for 5mo earlier this year) and they were happy with them. If it were me, I'd get one for the wife, dock the laptop that has a lousy battery and just share its cd drive over our home network if I wanted the netbook to run a CD.

-John

Quick note, I believe it is an "ATOM" processor.

Netbooks are small light weight, physically and processing ability computer.
Not bad for portable use, not really good for general use.

They also are bundle with a monthly fee for Wireless access.

I think their time has come, and is going. IMHO only.
But they may have a place for the mobile user. Although Phones are getting so powerful, other than screen size you can do much of what a netbook will do on your phone and everyday that gap closes.

Netbooks = minimalist portable computer that is primarily used to access the World Wide Web

Notebook = What "Laptops" have become; with the advent of 17" screen portables, these might also be portables with 15" or smaller LCDs

Laptop = Larger, heavier portable

Luggable = Remember the Osborne or original Compaq? Size of a portable sewing machine.

A decent netbook is suitable for most people IMHO.....if you need an optical drive just pick up an external one.

The dual core ATOM processors are pretty quick for most needs. My sister has a Dual 1.6Ghz Acer AspireOne that I upgraded for her to 1.5 GB RAM, and a much faster/larger 16 Gig SSD drive....it runs Windows 7 quite nicely....and the thing only weighs like 2.5lbs!

Thanks, you're correct. I've never owned one, I don't think I would bother unless cost is the major criterion.

What's your desktop, so we have an idea of what to match? Particulary processor type and speed; amount of RAM, the need for optical drives and how adaptable are you to different keyboards?

Then you have to let us know what you plan to do on the new device. Piss away time on OD . . . CAD/CAM . . . Tweets . . . rendering HD video to BluRay media . . . :D

I have an HP Pavillion #A6710T.I only use it to pay bills,buy on line,facebook, nothing Big.We travel allot,and i wanted to get something small for all of the above and email.But i want something portable with a good battery life.Fry's has Toshiba Netbook with an intelAtom N280,1GB Memory and160GB Hard Drive for 279.99 6.5Hr. Bat. Life.BTW: It runs on windows XP.

2.4Ghz Dual Core (not C2D) with 4gb ram and Geoforce 7100, nice.

In a recent survey, Square Trade (they sell extended equipment warranties) found that Toshiba and ASUS laptops had the fewest warranty service claims during the first three years of ownership, beating makers like Sony, Apple, Dell, and Lenovo. HP laptops were dead last in the review

Reliability Study

Netbooks costing less than $400 also fared badly, with 5.8 per cent reporting a malfunction over a one-year period. Excluding failures from accidents, they were also 20 per cent more likely to fail than entry level laptops.

“Given the high failure rates of laptops and sizeable difference in reliability by brand, reliability should be a concern for consumers shopping around for the best holiday deals,” the SquareTrade report said.

Yeah, HP laptops are terrible....at leas the average ones...the business class ones seem to do OK.....mine that I use for my entertainment system is about 4 years old, and still works....(battery long deceased though)

Just get a Palm V. It will do the job. :cool:

A netbook would probably work for that kind of use. When I'm traveling on vacation I do most of that stuff on my iphone, but I carry a real computer when I'm working.

Is this what you carry?

http://www.cray.com/Home.aspx

:D