Laptop, Notebook or Netbook

In 2008, more notebook style PCs were sold than desktop PCs, and with the introduction of netbook PCs, this should be the case for 2009.  Currently, netbooks account for almost 6% of the total PC market and some analysts project that sales will remain strong throughout the holiday season.  However, after that is anyone’s guess.  The netbook’s small, inconvenient size and lack of capabilities may be a limiting factor to continued sales growth.

But what’s the difference between a laptop PC and a notebook PC?  And what is a netbook?  There doesn’t appear to be any official descriptions, so I’ve come up with my own:

Laptop – A portable PC with all the capabilities and power of a desktop, but small enough to use while on your lap, weight doesn’t seem to be an issue.

Notebook – Similar to a Laptop PC, but thinner and lighter, generally less than 6 lbs.

Netbook – Smaller and less capable than a Notebook PC, optimized for Internet usage (hence the “Net” in Netbook). Netbooks usually do not have an optical drive and weigh in at 2-3 lbs.

Count me as a netbook fan.  I’ve got some great uses:

• they’re just the right size for taking into the kitchen for menu reference
• the exceptional battery life makes them perfect for travel when you might not be near AC power
• for connecting wirelessly to your desktop PC and acting as a remote desktop

GigaOM talks about Notebooks vs Netbooks

/Steve