netbook vs dsktop

ahall41116

hi,

we currently have a 3 yr old ish desktop pc under the stairs for family use, which gets a pain sometimes cause its always in the way (no, we cant move it!)

we are considering a netbook which we can use anywhere in the house on wireless.

are there any major differences between the 2?

any thoughts would be gratefully received

Ashley

superscaper

Definitely "netbook" and not a notebook? A netbook would be very very much a cutdown computer. At least with a notebook or laptop you can pretty much have the same capabilities as a desktop. A netbook in my opinion is only going to be useful if you really are going to be using it on the go/out and about because they're relatively so small.

BritRael

The only negative that I have with all of the 'smaller' pc's is the keyboard. Being generally flat, for me, they are very easy to hit the wrong keys and not so easy to type 'fast'.
Of course, you could connect a standard keyboard for use in the home if you really wanted to.

totalsolutions

Many threads on this subject try searching these forums, again read the mags at WH Smith, read the Active, PCW and PcPro in particular.

I'd get the desktop into a more accessible location first though you might enjoy it more. Look into your needs for a new netbook/laptop. Consider program use, screen and keyboard size. Weight and portablity needs or a fast desktop replacement.

£$&*"($£&(

If it's for the house you might as well get a basic laptop for about £300 and weighing about 2.5kg which is easily portable and has a better sized screen. As stated above netbooks are really for going out and about.

macman

A netbook lacks an optical drive and is not really a suitable replacement for a static desktop PC.
I think you may mean 'notebook' or laptop?

ahall41116

Thanks for the comments.

All we find we are using the pc for is:

web based email, MSE, ebay, national rail-type enquiries, typing the odd letter on word, bit of bank balancing on excel, reading pdfs etc.

a notebook/laptop may be more suitable, just wondered if we could get away with an uber-portable netbook

dj9928

ahall41116 wrote: »

Thanks for the comments.

All we find we are using the pc for is:

web based email, MSE, ebay, national rail-type enquiries, typing the odd letter on word, bit of bank balancing on excel, reading pdfs etc.

a notebook/laptop may be more suitable, just wondered if we could get away with an uber-portable netbook

Yes you could for that type of thing

macman

ahall41116 wrote: »

Thanks for the comments.

All we find we are using the pc for is:

web based email, MSE, ebay, national rail-type enquiries, typing the odd letter on word, bit of bank balancing on excel, reading pdfs etc.

a notebook/laptop may be more suitable, just wondered if we could get away with an uber-portable netbook

Yes it would do that-but do you really want to do all that on a 10 or 12 inch screen and a cramped keyboard? The point of netbooks is light weight and portability. If it's never going to leave home there's little point over a laptop or desktop PC.

custardy

in real terms a netbooks fine if you have a laptop/pc as well
there not really practical to be the only PC in the house

dj9928

custardy wrote: »

in real terms a netbooks fine if you have a laptop/pc as well
there not really practical to be the only PC in the house

Its my only PC and its fine. For doing all he does he doesn't need a Core2Duo 3GB system, a 1GB Atom Netbook will be fine