Q: What is the Difference Between a Laptop and a Netbook?

A: A "Netbook" is a very small portable computer that resembles a laptop.   

The word Netbook is a cross between InterNET and noteBOOK. It resembles a laptop but it is typically much smaller (2-3lbs) and with a smaller screen (usually under 13"). They feature good battery life and lower end hardware including slower processors and less RAM, but they are also much less expensive - typically $99 - $399.

Netbooks run either a flavor of Linux, or in the case of Windows, Windows 7 Starter Edition or Windows XP Home Edition. Google is a big proponent of Netbooks since their vision is to supply everything "in the cloud" - that is in a browser using apps like GMail for email and Google Apps for documents, as opposed to having an application loaded on the Netbook itself.

They depend on a good Internet connection, although Google and other vendors are working on "offfline" versions of their applications, so you can still work without an Internet connection and then synchronize to the Internet when you are able.

If you require a DVD/CD player/burner with your Netbook (and I'm not sure why you would) - this will almost certainly have to be in the form of an external, USB device. Netbooks are not big enough to contain one integrated.

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