Notebook
vs.
Netbook

Using the sliders, set the importance of each aspect.
Choozza will then find the best product for you.

Notebook

2
Software Capabilities
2
Portability
2
Peripherals and Connectivity
2
Performance
2
Low Cost
2
Comfort of Use

Netbook

Notebook

A notebook is a portable, powerful computer that can do almost anything a full blown desktop computer can do. Notebooks are usually quite expensive and dependable.

Netbook

Netbooks almost seem like a toy, but are not. They are good for some tasks, such as Internet browsing, and are very portable and cheap.

Software Capabilities

Notebooks are usually equipped with really good CPUs. This means that they don't have any problem running most software. Any software you may need, such as Microsoft Office suite, Video editing and encoding etc. Netbooks can not compete there because they are built with other CPUs.
Netbooks are mostly designed for use on the Internet. They are less capable in terms of work-related software. Netbooks do not usually have Microsoft-Office installed, but rather the alternatives such as Open Office. These programs can usually read and write MS-Office documents without any problem. However, netbooks have limited memory capacity and CPU. This means that you can not normally have many documents opened at the same time. Having said that, for day-to-day office tasks, netbooks should suffice. When photo editing is concerned, the netbooks lack the better performance of the notebokks and are not really a match. However, if you only need to do these tasks occasionally, a netbook may be adequate. Video editing is a different story, and the netbooks fail miserably in this task. This is again, because of the poor CPU and memory in netbooks.

Portability

Notebooks are harder to carry around then netbooks as they are larger and heavier. Notebooks regularly weigh around the 4lb (2kg) mark and up, with some exceptions such as Macbook Air and Vaio Z, which are quite expensive. The notebook batteries don't usually let you work unplugged for very long, and notebooks are therefore not very portable. Notebooks also contain more moving parts compared to netbooks, and therefore are more likely to suffer some damage when you carry them around.
In terms of portability - netbooks are very light and small and are therefore very easy to carry around. Netbooks are very small. Some would say that they are too small for comfortable work as you can't really find a comfortable position when using them on your lap. They weigh under 2.2lb (1kg). The netbooks also usually have long battery life because they have low power consumption. Many hold for more than 4-5 hours. Another advantage of the netbooks is that they usually have solid state drives which have no moving parts. This lets them use less power, as there is no need to operate the drive's motor, and also makes them a bit more resilient, since the solid state drives are less sensitive than the regular ones.

Peripherals and Connectivity

Notebooks are like almost all desktops in the sense that they have all sorts of ports (USB, HDMI, etc) and DVD/CD drives.
Netbooks are not very good at connecting to peripherals. They do not have HDMI ports and no CD or DVD drives as well. In terms of Internet connectivity, netbooks come with Wi-Fi built in and many have Bluetooth as well. The bluetooth lets them connect wirelessly to a 3G mobile phone, which you can use for internet access on the move. Some of the latest models have built-in 3G connectivity, however, they don't have a LAN port.

Performance

Notebooks usually have a lot of CPU power in them, but most buyers don't really use the power available to them. This is also true for graphics, as most notebooks are sold with good graphic cards that have processing power of their own. However, if you don't use the notebook for heavy-duty graphical tasks or sophisticated games, you probably don't really need this extra processor. As far as memory is concerned - it is very common to find notebooks with 2 or 4GB of memory.
Netbooks are very modest in terms of CPU and graphic card abilities. The lower performance is sometimes offset for some people by the fact that the netbooks use less power and therefore their batteries last longer. Netbooks are usually also very limited with memory. As netbooks are mostly used for Internet browsing, it is important to note that in terms of performance - many websites today are very rich in multimedia content, especially Flash - which requires a lot of processing power. Pages like that may hog up resources and bring the netbook to a halt. Keep in mind that a netbook will be ok for most internet tasks, but if you regularly browse to sites with a lot of graphic content, you may want to look elsewhere.

Low Cost

Notebooks are not cheap at all. Some notebooks may seem cheap, but when they are - they are usually not very good.
Netbooks are very cheap, and getting cheaper. With computers it is always value for money, and with netbooks you get a lot for your money. Whichever way you look at it - you get an almost fully functioning computer - albeit very small - for a very low price.

Comfort of Use

Buying a notebook, you can expect to find quality keyboards and screens of reasonable size. These screens should let you work comfortably for long periods of time without squinting or getting a headache. The screens usually offer high resolutions with excellent contrast. The keyboards on notebooks are usually nearly full-size and very comfortable. They are easy to type on and are not likely to be frustrating or difficult to work with in the long run.
Netbooks are mainly for Internet access, and their comfort of use reflects that. The Netbooks' screens are small - most are just 10 inch - and are usually low-quality compared to other screens. Being small, it is not very comfortable to read, play games or watch videos or them for longer periods of times. The size and quality may make you tired, because of the need for squinting, and in some cases give you headaches. Netbook keyboards are more often than not just too small. Some netbook manufacturers such as HP and Sony are better in this respect but on the whole - the keyboard size and also the individual keys size or mappings may be awkward to get used to and become really uncomfortable for most users. Note that as far as key mapping is concerned, this can be somewhat mitigated by remapping individual keys. Some users seem to get cramps from the netbooks' keyboards. The comfort of use is further encumbered by the inability of netbooks to run some types of software. This is covered in the software category.

Notebook

Netbook

Notebook

Average rating: 4.5 / 5
based on 49 customer reviews
Feel factor: 3


It is causing excitement

(Score 5/5)

I bought the computer for a friend and now her son and husband are going crazy...they want one too.
Great features. Powerful computer.

Posted on: 2009-12-16
By Jeanette Solomon



not so good

(Score 1/5)

I am very disappointed with this laptop. After only two months of having and using very little, while downloading the Norton 360 online (the 60 day version that came with the computer had expired), the computer crashed! I have to say however, that I had a good experience with TOSHIBA. TOSHIBA was very professional and quick to replace the hard drive, but I feel like I have purchased a lemon and treat this computer very tenderly. I doubt that it will last as long as my Dell desk top - 10 years and still going. I'll think twice before buying another PC and may just invest and upgrade to a MAC next time.

Posted on: 2009-07-20
By H. McDonald
Helpful index: 0%



Excellent laptop

(Score 5/5)

Excellent laptop with great system at unbeatable price at Amazon.Wanna order another one but it sold out..You will not regret buying this laptop

Posted on: 2009-06-25
By c051e



toshiba laptop

(Score 5/5)

it seems to be a great laptop...only 2 days with me but so far so good..no problems at all...

Posted on: 2009-06-13
By Maria Garces Luisa



Great computer

(Score 4/5)

I'm not real good on computers and this is only the fifth I've ever bought. This one seems to be the easiest to use and is the fastest. Still learning more on how to get the most of it, but after a month I'm impressed!

Posted on: 2009-05-10
By David Griffey

Netbook

Average rating: 4.5 / 5
based on 897 customer reviews
Feel factor: 2


A great value

(Score 5/5)

This has to be one of the best low price notebooks. I strongly recommend it!

Posted on: 2010-07-23
By Donald L. Buckle



I was happy, and then year 1 ended

(Score 1/5)

I bought this netbook 1 year and 7 days ago when my old laptop died, and for most of that year, I've been a happy camper. But 3 weeks ago, my EEE started dropping its internet connection (with another computer right next to it online succesfully), and then 2 days ago, it started freezing completely with no warning or apparent cause, requiring a hard reboot. I did a factory reset yesterday, wiping the entire machine clean, and crossed my fingers, but today--four more crashes. Not good.

Now, I'm understanding, and sometimes these things happen. But when I called Asus, I was told they would need to have the computer for up to 14 business days to test it, and oh, oops, the warranty ended 7 days ago, so I would be charged for their help. When something dies one week after its warranty period ends, I feel suspicious. This is obviously supposed to be a cheap computing solution, but how cheap is it if you need to replace it one year and one week into its lifespan?

Posted on: 2010-07-05
By Kate M. Rick
Helpful index: 100%



Great for school!!!

(Score 5/5)

I love it! I got it for my school work and it's working great. Of course this kind of computers is not for heavy use, so I have another computer that I use to surf the net and do most of my work. Keyboard is not hard to get used to since it is smaller but it's not as small as the other notebooks. The Battery life is not 9 hours, I've tried it lol however it is around 8 which is not a big difference so I'm ok with that. The screen is small but that is what you get for getting a notebook. The only reason that I'd not recommend this product for is with the Ipad you get the same features you look for in a notebook for school with a little bit more money.

Posted on: 2010-06-25
By Haifa F AlShaalan
Helpful index: 0%



Blue Screen

(Score 1/5)

I can understand how reviewers who received good versions of this netbook are able to give good reviews.

Unfortunately, for me, I received one that completely crashed soon after I received it, resulting in the dreaded "blue screen" and leaving me with a doorstop, instead of a usable computer.

What added insult to injury is that I spent a good amount of time testing the computer before I left on an important road trip I was going to take. On that trip, I was going to use the netbook for documenting my journey. Everything worked fine here at home. But, the first time I started the computer once on the road, it died.

I promptly returned it, got a refund, and will not be purchasing anything from ASUS now or in the future. In fact, I finished building a new computer this spring, and purposely avoided purchasing anything from ASUS.

ASUS needs to exercise more quality control. They have lost another customer due to my experience with one of their products.

Posted on: 2010-06-03
By John Miller
Helpful index: 0%



I am not too sure

(Score 2/5)

Ok, Here is the long and the short. I got it and it did not work. I gave two stars because it came early in the mail. It has never worked. Then I had to call tech services and had to stay on the phone with them for hours to figure out that the thing was broken and needed to be sent back. I could have told them that from the beginning. I was considering purchasing one for my sister, she is going to college in August but no no no no. It has been a pretty bad experience.

Posted on: 2010-06-02
By Michelle Lewis
Helpful index: 0%

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