Netbooks vs. Tablets
Raeki Mark Utama
When choosing a portable device that is ready to go, there are two types of devices that users usually use: the netbook and tablet. Both devices are easy to carry around, have a compact size, and can fill in the work of a laptop or a computer. But there are some key differences that make users choose netbooks or tablets. But before that, let’s go back in time and review some history about the netbook and tablet.
The netbook first became popular around 2007. The small laptop design is built for the purpose of browsing the internet, running lightweight apps, etc. It was designed to be more affordable than traditional laptops. The netbook quickly became popular with users who needed a portable device that could run desktop apps. Tablets, on the other hand, have a very long history; they were first patented in 1914, which patented a system that recognized handwritten characters by analyzing the handwriting motion (Wikipedia Contributors, 2023). It has since been developed to be better from time to time. But the tablet finally became a breakthrough in the technology industry after the launch of the Apple iPad in 2010. The key feature of the iPad is its touch-screen compatibility, which allows users to interact with the system.
Now we are going to discuss the difference between the two devices. First, the netbook has a larger screen, usually around 11 inches, compared to the tablet’s 8 inches. Some people sometimes choose a bigger screen because it feels better to look at. The performance of both a netbook and a tablet nowadays is pretty equal since the newer tablets now have a more powerful processor. Since the tablet has a smaller screen, more efficient processors, and a large battery, it can run for a longer time than a netbook. Now, the reason some people choose a netbook over a tablet is the applications and work compatibility. The netbook fully supports Windows apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. A netbook also has a keyboard built in and can connect to a mouse, so it is easier and faster to do stuff. The tablet, on the other hand, does not support all Windows applications and cannot connect to a mouse or a keyboard. Lastly, the price of a tablet is relatively cheaper than that of a netbook (Stella, 2020).
In the end, there are differences in functionality between the netbook and tablets. Tablets are used more for entertainment, such as watching shows, browsing the web, playing games, and other simple tasks. It’s also easier to carry around and is usually more durable. The accessories, such as the charger, are also compact and easy to carry around. The netbook is more used for work-oriented tasks because it has a keyboard and the compatibility to connect to a mouse, so it is easier and faster to do advanced tasks. It also supports Windows, which means it can run desktop applications and can run heavier apps and tasks such as rendering images, videos, etc. It is also still easier to carry around than a laptop because of the compact design.
Source:
Wikipedia Contributors. (2023, November 13). History of tablet computers. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tablet_computers#:~:text=In%201989%2C%20GRiD%20Systems%20released,and%20later%20created%20the%20PalmPilot.
Stella. (2020, February 11). Netbook VS. Tablet: Which Is Better for You? – MiniTool. MiniTool; MiniTool. https://www.minitool.com/news/netbook-vs-tablet.html