A Comparison of Netbooks, Laptops and Desktops.

-        Netbooks and Laptops are presently outselling desktops. 

-        Netbooks and Laptops are good for a small space and good for travel.

 

Comparison of features in a Desktop and a Laptop…

                                               

Desktop with Monitor included	Laptop
Cost  - $649	$649
2 Quad, 2.5 Ghz	2 @ 2.1 GHz
Windows 7	Windows 7
20" LCD Monitor	15.6" Widescreen
4 GB Ram (could have 4 more)	4 GB Ram
750 GB hard drive	350 GB
USB ports 8	3
Firewire  - Yes	No
Webcam  - No	Yes
WiFi  - No	Yes
Portable  - Heavy	Yes
Ergonomics  - Good	Not Good
Graphics  - Good	Improving
Upgrades  - Good	Not Good
Games  - Good	Not Good
Repair Cost  - Less	More
Space  - More	Less

 

Laptops can be modified for easier operation. 

You can buy a USB keyboard, mouse and a USB hub for more ports.  The laptop can be put in a rack mount or table that will position it at your eye level.  This is handy if you take it on a long vacation.

 

Netbooks:

-        They are a small, light, inexpensive laptop, have 3 to 6 cells which will  run from 3 to 12 hours.

-         There is no back lighting in the less expensive models so it is hard to read the screen.  Good for general computing, accessing web based applications, email and surfing. 

-        Some can be used on mobile telephone networks. 

 

Netbook Limitations:

-        Photoshop and other resource using programs are slow or can’t be run, no numeric keyboard, quite small keyboard but in time you can manage

-        No optical disk drive, no CD/DVD (although you could get an external CD/DVD for approx. $80). 

-        Netbook operating systems are Linux, Windows XP Home, Windows 7 Starter, or a newcomer Chrome OS.  They cannot run XP Pro, Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Home Premium

-         As it is a small screen and it is necessary sometimes to scroll from side to side on websites because it can’t take the whole webpage.  However, it is ideal for light web browsing, keeping in touch, email and note taking.

 

Comparison of the features of a Netbook and a Laptop

 

Netbook	Laptop
CPU  - 1@1.6 Ghz	2 @ 2.1 GHz
RAM - 1GB	4 GB
Screen  - 8.9" (or 10 or 11)	15"
O.S.  - XP Home	Windows 7
Hard Drive  - 16GB SSHD *	350GB
USB  - 2	3
Webcam  - Yes	Yes
WiFi  - Yes	Yes
Cost  - $199	$649
Durability  - Solid State HD takes some bouncing	Some risks

*SSHD is a solid state hard drive available in some netbooks.  Many netbooks offer a 160GB hard drive.

 

Member asked about the proper way of recharging? 
When you have a full charge you need to let it run down almost completely then recharge.  Do this initially about 3 or 4 times then do this once a year.  This is important if you use your laptop or Netbook with the charger connected for long periods and then wish to travel.