Laptop or netbook

mrs_depp_2

Hi. First time on the Techie stuff board so please be nice;) Although I know that all Moneysavers are:D

Can any one tell me the difference between laptops and netbooks.
Basically I just want to do general net surfing, a bit of shopping and banking and watch the odd thing on I Player and am very confused as to whether I need a netbook or laptop. So any help would be greatly appreciated as I am very untechie minded.

kwikbreaks

The main differences are size and processor power plus netbooks will not have an optical drive.

A netbook will do all the things you mentioned.

Many netbooks come with Linux (which is free) as opposed to XP (which costs about £50) so XP netbooks of similar spec to Linux ones will cost more. If you are used to windows and a bit of a technophobe you may want to opt to pay that premium.

mrs_depp_2

Thanks. But what is an opitical drive and do I need one?

Gordon861

If you need a very portable machine go for a netbook. Be warned though these things have very small keyboards.

For a bit more you can probably pick up a reasonably spec'd laptop with a real keyboard and screen you can easily read.

Gordon861

mrs_depp wrote: »

Thanks. But what is an opitical drive and do I need one?

CD Drive, very useful.

kwikbreaks

CD / DVD

No idea if you need one or not but buying a USB one would wipe out the savings made by buying a netbook rather than a laptop.

In the main unless portability is essential I'd say most people would be better off with a laptop. I've got both - I wouldn't use my netbook at home.

mrs_depp_2

Thanks to everyone. I think I would like a DVD. I'm really not bothered about portability as I would probably only use it at home so will look for a laptop.

kwikbreaks

There's one other thing about optical drives on budget laptops - most now will read CDs and DVDs and also write CDs but some don't offer DVD writing as well. Check the specs so you know what you are getting.

triggerhappy_2

Netbooks are comparatively expensive for what you get - you're paying for the tiny size.

From what you've said you need, you could get a perfectly good laptop with a full size screen, dvd drive etc for less than you'd pay for a netbook!