Netbook vs. Laptop and Entry Level Desktops
Decide which one is right for you.
What Can You Do With Each?
| Netbook | Laptop | |
|---|---|---|
| Email, chat, IM | v | v |
| Social networking (blog, Facebook*) | v | v |
| Surf the Web on the go | v | v |
| Stream audio/SD video | v | v |
| Play games | Casual Online Games | PC Games |
| Multitask | v | |
| Create and edit videos, photos | v | |
| Encode music | v | |
| Watch HD movies | v | |
| Run complex office software | v | |
| Related processor |
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Netbooks and Laptops in Action
Hitting the Road
Jim is packing for his vacation abroad and wants to travel light. Still, he’d like to be able to email with friends and family, post entries to his blog, browse the Web and listen to a little music. Rather than bringing his full-performance laptop he uses at home, a compact, portable netbook is perfect for staying online while he sees the sights.
Must-Have Music
Kevin can’t go anywhere without his music library. All told, he’s got 10 gigs’ worth of music files, and he wants to be able to edit any track, anytime, anywhere. For Kevin, a laptop is the right choice, since it provides ample storage space and the processing power for editing and encoding new music he wants to save.
Household Helper
Kelly’s favorite TV chef demonstrated a recipe that she can’t wait to try herself. Fortunately, all of the chef’s recipes, along with helpful technique videos, are available for free on his website. Kelly can bring her netbook right into the kitchen with her when it’s time to get cooking, making it a perfect companion to the desktop computer in the family room.
Upgrade Your Life
Deborah’s desktop computer is a few years old and starting to show its age. She’d like to replace it with something more compact that she can bring into her office occasionally. With a full-featured laptop, she can run lots of different applications, store tons of digital photos, watch high-definition movies and multitask without any problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I replace my aging laptop with a netbook?
- No. A netbook doesn't have the processing power and functionality you'd need to run many of the applications your current laptop supports, even if it's a few years old. The good news is that today's laptops offer more bang for the buck than ever before. Make sure it’s powered by the Intel® Core™ processor family, and your new laptop won’t just be faster; it will be smarter too.
- How can I encourage my kids' emerging interest in computers without unleashing them on the PC I sometimes use for work?
- Computers offer great opportunities for kids to learn and play. Consider the value and ease-of-use of a netbook, which will let kids explore the Internet without interfering with their parents' work. Or try an entry-level desktop, a practical investment in your family’s future.
- Is there any way of knowing for sure if I'm looking at a netbook?
- Yes, if the computer in question is powered by an Intel® Atom™ processor, it is a netbook. Laptops, on the other hand, may use one of a variety of Intel® processors. Appearances can be misleading, too, with many full-featured laptops now available in ultra-thin and light designs.
Introducing
THE INTEL® CORE™
PROCESSOR FAMILY
Smarter processors that automatically deliver extra performance whenever you need it.
Intel AppUpSM center BETA
Enhance your netbook, enhance your life with apps created especially for you.