Laptop or Netbook?

[valawil]

I am considering getting a 'laptop', but am confused with laptop, netbook,
i-pad, i-pod etc etc. Has anyone a suggestion on how to unravel this techno stuff, and what are the disadvantages of a netbook?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[snags]

First off, what will you want to use it for?

[ChuckFickens]

Laptop = Full sized laptop computer generally with all the features of a "normal" computer. Designed to be used as an every day computer

Netbook = very Small laptop (generally 10inch screen) with low power processor (therefore performance), no CD/DVD drive and smaller than normal keyboard. Designed to be used as a small mobile computer to keep in touch on the move and do a few simple tasks.

I-pad = Tablet, no keyboard at all, no CD drive doesn't run wndows so you can't run all your normal windows software. designed to be used for a bit of browsing while slouching about on the sofa.

I-pod = a music player.

[pusskin]

I have a 10" net book, and its brilliant, use it every day, and havent ventured on my big p.c. upstairs for yonks! Dont know a thing about any others though.

[valawil]

E-mail (including Facebook), Word documents, Excel, and some gaming sites.

[boxtops]

If you have an I-pad, can you type emails (since it has no keyboard)?

[valawil]

Thanks for the help so far, but my husband has concerns that if wi-fi isn't available on our travels, the netbook is useless.

[boxtops]

you could do like we have to do for work, buy a dongle

[EvianBaby]

It has a touch screen keyboard that pops up when you need to type something Boxtops.

[boxtops]

OK, thank you!

[valawil]

I-pads are not able to transfer documents to M/soft Word via a memory stick

[valawil]

Thanks Boxtops, a dongle is good idea

[boxtops]

Ah, that's not much good to me then - however, I could do what I have to do at the moment sometimes, email documents to myself to save on the desktop computer.

[gungho]

Chuck's answer is comprehensive. Personally I find a netbook screen too small for comfort, but otherwise it's an excellent, low-powered machine. Not sure about gaming, though, as I've never indulged but would imagine it's not powerful enough. Provided it comes with MS Office starter then you'll be OK for the other needs (if it doesn't, then download OpenOffice or similar - it's free). Beautifully light and portable if you need to carry it around. Check out the anticipated battery life, though.

[valawil]

Thanks Gungho, the one I am interested in (Chrome) has an 8 hour battery life.

[ChuckFickens]

Chrome netbooks (or laptops) also don't run windows, they run googles chrome OS which won't run word or excel so you'd have to use google docs instead.