Laptop vs. Netbook — What's the Difference?

A portable computer with a full-sized keyboard, sizable screen, and significant processing power.

Limited in processing power, suitable for less demanding tasks.

A versatile computer that bridges the gap between a desktop's power and a tablet's portability.

Features a compact design for enhanced mobility and ease of transport.

A device commonly used in professional environments for its robust performance capabilities.

A small, lightweight laptop designed primarily for internet-based activities and office applications.

Often heavier and larger than netbooks, making them less ideal for travel.

Typically has a longer battery life due to less power-consuming components.

A mobile computing device that can run complex applications and multitask efficiently.

Often more affordable than laptops, appealing to budget-conscious consumers.

A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. These typically have a "clamshell" form factor, typically having the screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid and the keyboard on the inside of the lower lid, although 2-in-1 PCs with a detachable keyboard are often marketed as laptops or as having a "laptop mode." Laptops are folded shut for transportation, and thus are suitable for mobile use.

The marketing term netbook once identified small and inexpensive laptops; these were generally low-performance. While the name has fallen out of use, machines matching their description remain an important part of the market for laptops running Microsoft Windows.

A portable computer with a display screen hinged to a keyboard, small enough to use on one's lap.

A portable computer that is smaller than a laptop, with less processing speed and less memory, used primarily for accessing the internet.

(computing) A laptop computer.

(computing) An economical notebook computer.

A portable computer small enough to use in your lap

Netbooks are more travel-friendly because of their compact size and long battery life.

Netbooks are not ideal for video editing due to their limited processing power and storage.

Netbooks are generally more affordable, though they offer limited functionalities compared to laptops.

Netbooks are typically not designed for hardware upgrades, which are more feasible in laptops.

Netbooks often rely on cloud storage to compensate for their limited internal storage.

Many laptops are suitable for gaming, especially those designed with dedicated graphics cards and high-performance processors.

Laptops are used for a range of applications from professional software to gaming due to their powerful hardware.

Laptops generally have better software compatibility due to their robust operating systems and hardware.

Laptops usually offer better screen quality, particularly in terms of size and resolution.

Netbooks typically have longer battery life due to their energy-efficient components.

Laptops usually have various ports including USB, HDMI, and Ethernet, among others.

Most netbooks have compact keyboards, which might not be full-sized due to space constraints.

Yes, if the tasks are relatively basic like document editing, internet browsing, and using office applications.

Laptops have larger batteries, bigger screens, and more substantial hardware, making them heavier.

Someone might choose a laptop over a netbook for enhanced performance capabilities and broader software and task compatibility.