There is a great array of computers on the market. Different computer types are designed for different users. There are computers especially for gamers, for photo and video editors, for people who just want to email and surf the web, for students, for travellers, and so many more. I am going to expand on my netbook comparison graph and explain to you the differences within the wide selection of computers on the market, what you might use each one for and how they compare to a netbook. You want to purchase a computer that suits you perfectly so read on and discover what type of computer suits which type of niche.
Netbook Comparison, Desktops
If you are new to the game of computers then you may be overwhelmed by the wide selection you have. In the end it all boils down to the question “what do you need?” Let’s start with desktops for the first part of my netbook comparison. They are the most powerful out of the five computers I am comparing. Desktops are far more powerful than netbooks, they are aimed at different niches; desktops for power and storage, netbooks for portability. What we can see from the comparison chart is that they come in the largest size, have the most power, are the heaviest, and are the least portable. Desktops are a stay at home computer, unlike netbooks. They are great for graphic intense purposes and heavy duty work, such as storing large files. Gamers and people with businesses focused around graphic work usually invest in a good desktop because of their power. They are obviously not good for carting around with you or travelling, which netbooks are great for.
Netbook Comparison, Laptops
Next on my netbook comparison list is laptops, let’s take a closer look at them. These types of computers are portable, but they could cause a sore back by the end of the day. They are usually too large to be carrying around all day. Netbooks were designed to fill the gap of those who want a basic computer to take with them on the go. Laptops are powerful and can actually be a desktop replacement. They are a lot lighter than desktops yet heavier than netbooks. If you prefer larger screens, they have this option, there are 20 inch laptops available on the market. This type of laptop has great visuals and is definitely more practical at home rather than being taken out and about. They are a lot more expensive than a netbook because of the difference in power, they are on a pretty similar par in price with desktop computers. Laptops are great for watching movies, they have internal CD/DVD drives, unlike netbooks which usually only have external CD/DVD drives. If you get a better quality laptop they are usually good for graphic intense purposes, such as gaming and image processing. Desktops and laptops are about the only computers that are great for image intense work or play. Netbooks can usually only handle light gaming and image processing. A benefit of a owning a laptop is that you can get one that has great power and yet still has the ability to be portable. A desktop is definitely not portable, and a netbook is definitely not very powerful.
Netbook Comparison, Netbooks
It’s time to take a look at netbooks. The netbook comparison chart shows us that the netbook features are; they are very light, similar to a tablet in weight, they are very portable and they have small to medium sized screens. Netbooks small size accomplishes the task of allowing great portability. They are very easy to pack into your school bag, briefcase or even your handbag. Netbooks are also great for travellers, not too expensive, portable and are an easy way to keep in contact with family, friends and colleagues. They are great because you can cart them around easily, yet you have a computer that you can do all your assignments or work projects on, as well as browse the web comfortably. Netbooks can also be found at cheap prices, a definite benefit. Amazon.com is a great place to look if you’re after a new netbook, they have tons of great deals, plus helpful reviews. If you are after a highly portable computer to do emailing, web browsing and word processing, a netbook is right for you. It’s not so easy to do that type of thing consistently on a smartphone, and you can’t easily cart around a laptop.
Netbook Comparison, Tablets
Tablets are the latest rage on the market, and I can see why, they have similar functions to a netbook, they usually have a keyboard and a touch screen and they look fabulous. If you don’t mind shelling out a few extra dollars then you may love a tablet. As my netbook comparison chart points out they are similar in weight and screen size to a netbook, yet they have the advantage of a keyboard when you just feel like typing and a touch screen if you prefer to handwrite. Some tablets do not have the option of a keyboard, just the slate.
Tablets with both a keyboard and a touchscreen have an advantage over netbooks, they are easier to work with, you can just fold the tablet up and use the screen when literally walking down the street, unlike a netbook. Plus it is more personal, if you are in a business meeting taking notes, rather than hiding your face behind the screen you can be taking notes like you would with a pen and paper. You can use a stylus pen in order to handwrite documents or do drawings, the pen also functions as a mouse would. These added features do mean that tablets come at higher prices, they typically have a little less power than a netbook. If you’re into the idea of having an option between a keyboard and a touchscreen, and you would like to be able to handwrite documents on your computer, then a tablet is your dream come true.
Netbook Comparison, Smartphones
Last but not least is the smartphone. As the netbook comparison chart points out they are the lightest of them all, the smallest, the most portable and unfortunately the least powerful. They are very useful if your main purpose is to use it as a phone, for email and to check social accounts such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. They have an advantage over netbooks because they are also cell phones, it is appealing having an all in one device. Some smartphones even have Skype, access to maps, weather reports and traffic reports. Some also have the ability to allow you to create and edit Microsoft Office documents. Smartphones are not too useful if you want to use it for word processing or constant browsing of the web, which netbooks are great for. You may be able to handle creating documents or surfing the net on a tiny screen, but it’s not my preference. Smartphones are in a similar price range to netbooks, probably because of the added value of portability and that it is a cell phone. A lot of businesses invest in smartphones because they are an all rounder, a cell phone plus have basic functions of a computer. If you are after something that you can use for calling, texting, emailing, just a little web browsing, and that is highly portable, go for it. I must say it would be handy not to worry about getting the computer out of its case, turning it on and getting the charger out just to do a quick Google search.
In summary of my netbook comparison, it all comes down to the question at the beginning of this article, “what do you need?” I have explained the different features of the array of computers on the market, what their purpose is and how they compare to netbooks. It’s up to you to decide which category fits you and your lifestyle nicely. Remember, usually the larger the computer the more power, the less portable, and usually the more expensive. The smaller the computer the lighter it is, the more portable, the less power it has and usually the cheaper it is, with exceptions. If you’re after the cheapest computer with the most benefits netbooks are probably number one, tablets are expensive, laptops are not very portable, and smartphones don’t have the full functions of a computer. Think about what you are after; portability, speed, power, storage space, and what you want to use your new computer for; gaming, work, word processing, browsing the web, emailing or even calling and texting. Hopefully you can use this netbook comparison to help you find a new computer that suits you perfectly.