Which laptop is right for you?
Netbooks
Netbooks are small and light, but slightly cut-down computers. They're great if you travel a lot or are tight on space. They aren't as powerful as ordinary computers, but if your main uses are email, web and word processing, they are all you need.
Netbooks are less expensive to buy, so the monthly cost of a netbook with mobile broadband is usually less too.
Things to look out for are:
- portability - netbooks are perfectly suited to computer use on the move, but this does mean they have smaller, and so more cramped, screens and keyboards
- battery life - all important if you plan to use on the move. Battery life will vary according to the mix of software you use, and will decrease as the netbook gets older
- warranties - this is usually just a year, and because netbooks are miniaturised, repairs after the warranty can often only be done by the manufacturer
- business use - while great for business use on the move, netbooks aren't well suited to use in the office
Laptops
Laptops (also known as notebooks) are fully fledged computers. They are great if you need to use a computer in more than one place. They are suitable for all the common home and small office uses.
Laptops are more expensive to buy, which is usually reflected in a higher monthly cost for a laptop with mobile broadband.
Things to look out for are:
- screen size - bigger is better for watching movies, but also means the laptop is that bit more difficult to carry around
- warranty - this is usually just a year and involves returning the laptop to the supplier
- optical disk type - most laptops have DVD drives and so can play DVD movies. A few are now appearing with more modern Blu-ray drives which give better quality pictures and sound
- business use - free laptops are great for the self employed and small businesses, but they usually don't meet the requirements of larger businesses