Notebook vs. Netbook (software)
We understand why you might want to spring for the super-duper ultra premium mobile PC. Technology changes rapidly and you want a portable companion that you won’t have to replace for years to come. Unfortunately, reality and statistics show that you’ll be back within 3-5 years for an upgrade/replacement. So why not save some money and evaluate your needs to buy the mobile PC that’s right for you?
This article will help you understand the limitations of netbooks and capabilities of notebooks in regards to software and applications.
OPERATING SYSTEMS
As far as software goes, first and foremost is the operating system. The operating system recognizes and communicates with your hardware, providing the environment in which your other applications run. Because it is the most recognized consumer PC operating system, we’ll speak specifically concerning Microsoft Windows. The 3 varieties you should be familiar with are:
- Windows XP – Still a widely popular and stable operating system that many prefer over Vista despite its age of over 8 years. The latest batch of updates comes via Service Pack, or SP3. XP is available in the Home, Professional, Media Center, Tablet PC, as well as 32-bit and 64-bit varieties. Compare editions at
microsoft.com. - Windows Vista – The current Microsoft operating system shipping with a desktop PC or full-sized notebook. A more hardware intensive operating system due to a full 3D environment and known for good security that can sometime be too tight. Initially had some major compatibility issues. Vista comes in the Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate, as well as 32-bit and 64-bit varieties. Compare editions at microsoft.com
- Windows 7 – Microsoft’s latest Windows iteration that claims to overcome many of Vista’s shortcomings and Release Candidate 1 (RC1) has so far earned praise for stability, compatibility and overall performance. Expected to be available in Starter, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate, as well as 32-bit and 64-bit varieties. Compare editions at microsoft.com. Look for a Windows 7 release fall of 2009.
Netbooks currently come preinstalled with Windows XP. That is not to say that Vista will not run on a netbook, but that a netbook’s limited resources are overburdened by an operating system such as Vista. Windows 7 Starter is reported to be netbook-ready and many early testers report that Windows 7 RC1 (currently Windows 7 Ultimate edition) runs particularly well on netbooks.
Most all notebooks come preinstalled with either a Home Basic or Home Premium edition of Windows Vista. These full-sized mobile PCs have the power and capability of running Vista without consuming too many resources. So if you have an operating system preference, this may be a deciding factor for which mobile PC you choose.
OFFICE APPLICATIONS
For the same reason that netbooks include XP instead of Vista, more and more netbook users are relying on cloud computing. Cloud computing is the ability to work and store files on the Internet versus installing common office applications such as word processors, spreadsheet and presentation applications, email and more. Google Docs is a great alternative to Microsoft Office and fully compatible with their formats. Additionally, you needn’t email yourself or rely upon USB thumb drives to move files from one PC to the next.
Should you require the full functionality of Microsoft Office applications or equivalent, netbooks are capable of handling them, but don’t expect to run more than 3 active windows before seeing a drop in performance. Notebooks, however, have resources to spare and can handle simple office tasks with ease. If you’re hesitant to the idea of cloud computing or just don’t adjust easily to change, a notebook may prove the better solution for you.
MULTIMEDIA
Netbooks lack the space for an optical drive (CD, DVD or Blu-ray Disc). So if you rely on software and media via optical disk, you’ll need to find other means of installing and viewing these applications on a netbook. This could be as simple as finding an online install file for your software, purchasing an external USB optical drive, or going through the hassle of ripping the content from the discs on a PC with an optical drive and copying the data to your netbook via network, Internet or external storage devices.
DVD quality movies play well on a netbook, even some are capable of playing 720p, but 1080p playback is not currently an option for netbook users. Things may change however with nVidia’s soon-to-be-released Ion platform for netbooks.
Notebooks again provide a desktop replacement platform where you can read or write to CD, DVD and even Blu-ray Disc. Not to mention supporting playback of full 1080p video. This way, you can turn your notebook into a portable DVD & Blu-ray disc player while on the road and watch your movies on a larger monitor, projector or hotel television. If optical media is a necessity for you, you’ll likely spring for a notebook.
GAMING
Another big software gap separating netbooks and notebooks are their gaming capabilities. Netbooks are much more limited in their power and therefore cannot handle many 3D games. The games listed below have all been deemed playable* on today’s netbooks.
Microsoft Games (Solitaire, Hearts, Checkers, Pinball, Minesweeper)- Browser/Internet games (Adventure Quest, RuneScape, Quake Live, Tower Defense)
- Flash-based games (Plants vs. Zombies, Bejeweled, Jewel Quest, Mahjong, Zuma)
- 2D classics (Fallout 1 & 2, Diablo I & II, SimCity, Starcraft, LucasArts Archives, Warcraft II)
- 3D classics (Half-Life, Warcraft III, Final Fantasy VII, Quake, Beyond Good & Evil)
* Able to be installed and played at an average of 30 frames per second after adjusting graphics settings. Additional tweaks may be needed for optimal gameplay.
Ultimately, if you plan on a mobile PC being your primary computer, a full-power, full-sized notebook is the better choice. Just know that you’ll pay a premium. Should you know exactly how you plan to use a mobile PC, a netbook may be right for you. A barebones, no frills, portable companion with (usually) extended battery life over their notebook counterparts.
As new technologies are introduced and the lines between netbooks and notebooks fade, it won’t be long before we see a low-cost, ultra-portable, full-power mobile PC that can last a 8+ hours on a single charge.
Still need help? Familiarize yourself with the differences between notebook and netbook hardware by reading Notebook vs. Netbook (Hardware). Once acquainted, you should have a better idea of what hardware is right for you. As always, feel free to speak with an hhgregg associate. We offer the best-educated associates in the business who are smart enough to make it simple. Price and Advice Guaranteed!
