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Netbook, Tablet or Smartphone?: Which Do I Need?

Comparing netbooks to smartphones to tablets is a lot like comparing apples, oranges and bananas. All three have similar functions, but at the same time function very differently. Consumers must make a choice as to what their exact preferences are.

Netbooks, for example, are similar to a mini-laptop—but without as much power, and not nearly as many applications or memory. While netbooks are able to have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 installed on them, with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Works, their abilities to function like a laptop are not quite the same.

Netbooks are built to tie into Wi-fi and broadband hotspots wherever the consumer is, at anytime, in order to access the Internet. Getting access to the Internet allows the consumer to do anything that they need to do—instant messaging, emailing, online conferences, research and much more.

Smartphones, such as the popular iPhones, are also quite capable of handling many tasks such as email, research, and instant messaging—some are able to handle video conferences as well. Millions of applications are available to download for them that make the smartphones—of any type—easy to use. Downloading movies to some of the smartphones is easily done, to view via the screen or television.

Compared to netbooks however, not all smartphones have access to the normal type of Microsoft Office or Microsoft Works in them, but there is a Windows Mobile 6.5 installed in quite a few. Consumers are still able to accomplish some of the mundane office tasks on the go that are needed to be done, while using a smartphone instead.

One other thing to consider about smartphones is the memory—or the lack thereof in comparison to both the netbooks and the tablets. Netbooks easily have a typical 160 GB hard drive in them, with a GB of RAM.

Tablets on the other hand do not have quite as much memory, nor as much battery life available to them. Screens are sometimes more difficult to see on the tablets, but navigation on a tablet can be done one of two ways—using the fingers, or a stylus that is provided.

On the plus side for tablets, the portability is great, and quite a few of them are able to accept a person’s fingerprint to use as a password to gain access to websites and programs. Also available is the hinge-top tablets, that look similar to a net-book or lap-top, but still function like a tablet.

In truth, the consumer’s decision will rest on how they will use the tool of the trade the most—will the need for talking on the phone overrule the need for surfing the Internet, and online conferences, such as Skype? If so, then a smartphone is in order.

Or, is the consumer in need of equipment that can document their signature, yet still gain access to many websites—although it will need charging frequently, and doesn’t have a lot of memory? If that’s the case, then the tablet is the choice to make.

Consumers will choose which is right for them, so long as they are correctly informed, and succeed!

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Tags: Cell Phones

This entry was posted on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 9:39 am by Jack Busch and is filed under Cell phone plans. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.