Netbook vs Laptop
 

I'm confused . . .I want it to be small and light enough for travel and portability, but I also want to be able to connect to and play games on the internet with it. I'm hearing the netbooks aren't good for gaming, but I don't know why. . .does anyone have a netbook that can share with me some insight? I primarily use my desktop for Facebook, email, YT, etc . . but I do play most of the Zynga games on Facebook. Would a netbook work for me or should I purchase a laptop?

I think the netbook would be fine. If you were a hardcore gamer, (and no FB games don't count ;)) a netbook wouldn't have what it takes to keep up with graphics and what not.

laptop vs netbook
 

Hi,

I have both a netbook and laptop. I bought the netbook in order to work on the go, while my laptop is great it is 17 inches and too big to commute with...I am presently working on my Master's part time, and the ability to work on the go is very important to me. The netbook is great for reading articles, cruising the net, and for short papers/research. It is slower to warm-up, and I can't over tax the processor by trying to open too many windows or try to ask it to do too much at once. I sometimes forget how slow it moves until I use the other computer again. As for gaming, I'm not a gamer...however, one of my classmates is, and recommends the gaming netbook from Dell. Alienware Landing It is faster, a little more expensive and heavy, but would also be great for regular processing if you wanted something with a little more power. However, if you are talking just about the games from Facebook...I've played those on my netbook/laptop, and although they run a little slower, it is still doable. Best of luck in your choosing,

Marg

Thanks guys! I'm going to check both out!

Have you looked at MacBook air or the iPad? I've had net books before and they were way too uncomfortable to type on or look at (neck strain cause too low).

I love my iPad and MBA.

I'm watching this one for after-Xmas sale: Amazon.com: Acer Aspire TimelineX AS1830T-3721...
I've seen it in person and it's awesome! Love the size. I ran the specs by my 'technical guru' :D, and apparently this is a great little computer. The processor is great too if you're running larger programs like photoshop etcetera.

We just got an ipad about a month ago...and I just don't think it's for me. I'm really bad at using it :(. Which is embarrassing, since it's supposed to be super easy. I think I'm just a PC girl...

Ooooooo that's nice! I'm also waiting until after Christmas . . .hoping to find a good deal . . .

Netbooks are like laptops, but they are not for gaming. Now by gaming that means actual gaming (e.g. Guild Wars, World of Warcraft, etc.) and not Facebook gaming :D.

I have an Acer Aspire netbook and I LOVE it. I do all my schoolwork on it (I'm doing a dual degree Accounting B.S. and MBA program with lots and lots of work). I use it to surf the internet, it handles large amounts of data in excel (although that can make it slow down sometimes), has no problems with word, etc.

The only problem I've run into with my netbook is that you cannot overtax it by opening too many things. It also has a slight difficulty streaming large files.

The big differences I've encountered between my Acer laptop and my Acer netbook is the RAM and the fact that the netbook doesn't have a CD drive. Laptops have more RAM, that is what allows them to run so many processes or things with heavy graphic content (e.g. games). Other than that the specs between my laptop and my netbook are virtually the same (e.g. hard drive space, wireless, card readers, USB capabilities, etc.)

I love Acer as a brand, just throwing that out there. Hope this helps!

I had a Netbook that I received as a Christmas gift from my previous employer. They are perfect for anyone looking for a small computer to carry with them (travels or even around town).

I used mine maybe 5 times and finally decided it was not adding any value to me since I no longer have to travel for work (YAY ME). It was a great little computer and if I continued to travel I would still have it.

Both of my kids have a netbook. They play facebook games, and play games at childrens websites everyday with no problems. My husband and I use them sometimes also. I think they are awesome little computers:thumbup::thumbup:

I have been wanting to talk with someone that has the new Macbook Air. Is it really worth it? Much trouble switching to a MAC? I loved the way it looked at Best Buy. Wanted to play but it was being very popular and I never got my hands on it. I am thinking of getting it for my son for college. He took his old laptop with him and keeps saying it is doing fine, but I know he could use a better one. Can you give me some reasons for and against?

The grandparents went in on Netbooks for my 2 granddaughters for Christmas -- I hope they really like them. I think both mostly use the computer to play simple (not graphic intensive) games and check their Facebook. So, hopefully they will be enough for them. They are pretty pink too. :)

Great info, thank you :)! Very helpful. I have been reading really great stuff about Acer as I've been researching and looking around, so I'm happy to read of your experience. The 1830 I'm looking at has 4GB RAM, so I'm hoping it'll be okay for me...luckily, I can return it.

Do you play WOW? Omg, hubby is obSESSed with that game. Apparently, there was some huge update to the game a couple weeks ago, and you'd have thought something was invented that was on par with the wheel :rolleyes:.

The 4GB RAM is actually GREAT. Mine only has 2GB which is where most of the trouble comes with the netbook.

I used to play WoW. I was addicted, I'm shamed to admit, for quite a few years. I quit when I started college (thank god). My current bf just picked up playing again. The newest release was the expansion and the updates related to it and yes WoW players get pretty excited about those sorts of things :rolleyes:

I'm typing on it right now :)

I have several computers.

1. a cheap netbook that wasn't worth it
2. two normal laptops
3. the new macbook air 11"

I bought the netbook about 2 years ago off of ebay for cheap because I wanted a computer I could carry in my purse....well I don't know much about computer specs and probably got it cheap because it is horrible. I haven't used it because it is too slow. It is one of the smaller 10". It is an adjustment to type on, but if used exclusively it gets easier.

My normal laptops are great for everything (I don't do heavy gaming) I do all my work on the laptop and the older one of the two is starting to show its age, but it is on probably for 12 hours a day every day of the week. Just too large to port around.

That is where the macbook air 11" comes in. I was looking for a new computer to replace the netbook. I've never had a mac and really didn't want to get one, but I walked into a local mac store and they had just gotten the new 11" and I fell in love...so here is it.

It fits perfectly in my purse (I like large purses) and it pretty light. The typing with the keyboard is pretty easy as well. It is an adjustment to get used to macs.

I would say if you wanting a laptop to travel a lot with, get a netbook, just look at the specs. Most netbooks (including the air) don't have cd drives. The new macbook air also doesn't have a slot for a camera memory drive, which is a bummer.

If you want a computer for home, but would like to make it portable, get a laptop.

I want to try netbook too since I have an online job, sometimes I want to work while travelling. I have a laptop but it's heavy and not convenient to carry.

A netbook will have a lot less RAM and a lot less hard drive space, which means that if you will be using it to store a lot or use a lot of programs, it will be slower. It also doesn't have a CD drive, which can be remedied by purchasing an external one, but then that means you'd have one more thing to carry around. If it were me, personally, I would just buy a small 14 inch laptop. I just bought a Dell Inspiron 14R from Best Buy for a decent price. It's 14 inches and does everything I need to. I play games on facebook as well as play the Sims 3. I have all the expansions for Sims and it still runs great. I use it mostly for school and personal use. I've had it for 4 months and have had no issues. I might in the future buy a netbook so it is a little more portable, but I personally preferred to have a full size laptop with a decent amount of RAM and hard drive space.

I have a netbook (Dell mini9) that a friend is using right now for email and web surfing while she's traveling back and forth to TX every couple of weeks. It travel's better than her laptop. I used it for over a year as my main computer. The grandkids have used it. The only website we had a problem with was Webkinz, the screen was not big enough for the site once you signed on.
We have a Dell Studio 19 desktop that DH uses. He plays spider solitaire, reads the news and is beginning to check out his facebook page.
I have a Dell XPS 15" laptop that is too heavy, but I haul it around in a backpack anyway. My neighbor has a 17" Toshiba that is alot lighter. The laptop is my main computer now. I'll use it for a couple of years and pass it on to the grand's.
My sister bought her kids iPad for Christmas. It was great. I loved the sound quality from it. Easy to navigate. I only used it for a little while.

My experience with netbooks is that they have limited screen resolution options (sometimes only 640 x 480) which makes web browsing a pain

My laptop is a Dell, and I only get the ones that are 3-4 lbs. Perfect for travel.

Just got an IPad and absolutely love it. Browsing is super easy and the key board is actually almost as big as my laptop key board when held in landscape, I can type normally.