Getting a personal computer that can work for you on the go is a big deal these days. With everything you have to do, all the time and everywhere, you don’t have time to stop at the office and turn on a desktop, wait for it to boot up and connect, and then use it. What you need is a mobile computer. But there are three very popular options on the market: laptops, tablets, and netbooks. Which one is right for you? Ask yourself these questions to decide.
How big is the screen? How big do you need the screen to be? A netbook, which is like a small laptop, typically has the smallest screen size of the three options, although some tablets are designed to be even smaller. Laptops have the largest screen size almost universally.
Do you want a screen that is protected against damage? Both netbooks and laptops can close, protecting the screen against unexpected scrapes, falls, or flying objects. Some tablets have screen protectors available at an extra price, but these will not work as well and – again – cost extra.
Are you looking for something bulky, or something compact? Without a doubt, laptops tend to be the bulkiest of the three options. They often take up most of a briefcase or backpack if you want to carry them around. Netbooks and tablets, on the other hand, can fit in a pouch or large pocket on your bag, or they can easily be carried in one hand.
Laptops also tend to be the heaviest, so if you have back problems or simply want something lighter, a netbook or tablet will be the way to go.
Laptops are the most versatile of the three options, though. Netbooks have the same operating system as laptops, but they tend to have less memory, less disk space, and less power than laptops do – so even if you can install a program, there’s no guarantee you can run it. Tablets have a different operating system from laptops and netbooks. This means that you can’t install the same kind of programs on a tablet. There are a lot of “apps” that allow you to do most of the same procedures, but not all of them. So if you have a specific need in mind, make sure there’s an app for that before you buy a tablet.
Of course, if you like the idea of using a touch-screen, then a tablet is the only way to go. With very few exceptions, laptops and netbooks do not have touch-screen capability, but almost all tablets do.
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to a compact, portable computer. You have to stay up-to-date on the capabilities and prices of each type if you want to be able to choose. Hopefully, though, asking yourself the above questions has helped you narrow your choice between a laptop, a tablet, or a netbook. Good luck!
