Netbook and Notebook has certain differentiating points between them. Netbook is not the same as a Tablet PC. Also Android Tablet or iPad is not a Tablet PC. If you are looking for Tablets – specifically the Android Tablets, this article on How to Choose and Buy Your Own Tablet will be more suitable for you.

The terminologies : Netbook, Notebook, Tablet, Tablet PC

Netbook : The company Psion PLC is the proprietor of the word NETBOOK. Netbook now, however can indicate any smaller computing device with a screen and attached physical keyboard from any brand. The main problem is – Netbook can have an ARM processor or mobile counterpart of full fledged desktop processor. So, technically Netbook is pathetically a bad term as it can not rightly define which processor it has. An ARM processor can not run a full fledged desktop Operating System (Windows 7, Debian Linux etc.)

Notebook : Notebook is Laptop. It is just a miniature portable form of desktop PC. The processor is the mobile counterpart of its desktop series. Notebook can be as much as powerful as a desktop PC.

Tablet : Again an ill-defined terminology. Usually denotes a touchscreen enabled computing unit with ARM processor.

Tablet PC : Adding the PC suggests it has mobile processor, not ARM processor. Usually a Tablet PC costs almost the double of a laptop. Typical examples are from HP.

Here is an article on Processor itself, if you are confused with ARM and Mobile Processor. The misleading commercial usage of terms along with confusing articles on Internet with these Netbook, Notebook, Tablet and Tablet PC are enough to make a new user fool by purchasing a product with ARM processor and hoping to install a desktop Operating System.

Netbook or Notebook ?

Notebook means a Laptop. That means just a portable version of the huge desktop computer. Expect the server usage, super computers, purchasing a desktop PC is getting limited – you will ask why ? Calculate the electricity a desktop computer will consume. Honestly, today you can forget about upgrading the processor after 2-3 years of purchasing any computer. Most motherboards will support the next generation processors. Moreover the space taken by a desktop PC is so large, it requires a dedicated table. Like every thing, computers has a usage life. Usually its 5 years.

Netbook is a confusing jargon. You have to check which processor it has. The salesperson with zero knowledge (or minus knowledge) will obviously try to push whatever he/she wants. If you can see a full fledge desktop operating system is running on any Netbook, then you are assured that it has a mobile processor; you might be able to upgrade some parts in future. An ARM processor used in a Netbook is nothing but those used in the smartphones.