• We hope you have a fantastic holiday season to close out 2025! Thank you all so much for being part of the Tom's Guide community!

Laptop vs notebook vs netbook

Solution


Hi there,

You should check out the Dell Studio 15. It has a fast processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 500 GB of hard drive space. It's a great all around laptop, especially for college students because it is perfect for productivity and entertainment. It has a 15.6" screen and at 5.5 lbs it is still very portable. It is also very affordable at $649.

What do you think?

Cheers,
Isabella
MSFT Windows Outreach Team
"Laptop" and "notebook" are used interchangeably. "Laptop" is the older term.

A netbook is a small, low powered, low spec, inexpensive, very portable machine designed primarily for light web browsing, email, and light office apps.

I have one, primarily for vacation travel. They are very handy, but they are not a substitute for a "real" computer.
 
Hi there,

That is correct. "Laptop" and "notebook" are used interchangeably, while netbooks are generally much smaller and less powerful portable computers. Are you searching for a new computer? I can help suggest computers in either category.

Cheers,
Isabella
MSFT Windows Outreach Team
 

Thanks I am a college student and I need a notebook
 


Hi there,

You should check out the Dell Studio 15. It has a fast processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 500 GB of hard drive space. It's a great all around laptop, especially for college students because it is perfect for productivity and entertainment. It has a 15.6" screen and at 5.5 lbs it is still very portable. It is also very affordable at $649.

What do you think?

Cheers,
Isabella
MSFT Windows Outreach Team
 
Solution


No problem! Glad to help. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers,
Isabella
MSFT Windows Outreach Team