Should I buy a laptop or a netbook?

OK, so you've decided you want a portable computer. Just to be sure that you really want one read my "Should I buy a desktop or laptop article".!

Here is the question that prompted this article:

I am looking to buy a PC Laptop but to be quite honest I don't know where to start.
I intend to do a lot of travelling so whatever I buy needs to be fairly robust, WiFi and USB, reasonably fast, web cam, DVD writer etc, and capable of supporting things like Skype.
A bonus would be the facility to transfer PC – Apple – PC...is this possible ?

As for your question, here are a few pointers:

• Firstly, your data transfer/sync. I use Dropbox to sync files between my computer and laptop. It works between macs and PCs and comes with 2GB storage free. All happens automatically. Great for what you need but also a useful free backup service.
• Secondly, your spec for your laptop. If you really need a DVD writer (a lot of things are installed from downloaded files these days) then expect to pay upto around 600 Euro. You'd be hard pushed to find any computer that can't meet your requirements.
• Thirdly, if you can do without a DVD writer then you may be better with a netbook. These are smaller than laptops but also lighter and have a much better battery life. The downside is that they are slower than full size laptops and you can't have more than a few applications open at the same time. The upside is they cost up to 400 Euro. I use one for my mobile repairs. Netbooks are great as a second computer. The keyboards are surprisingly easy to use.
• Fourth, English. Any laptop you buy in Spain will have a Spanish keyboard layout but some can be installed with English language interface.
• Finally, the operating system. Windows 7 is a great operating system and you should get this. The netbooks have the Starter edition which has a few restrictions compared to the Premium edition. I have Starter on my netbook.

Things are changing very quickly in the mobile computer market with products such as the Apple iPad and other tablet devices as well as the advances in Smartphones. However, I believe the netbook will be around for some time to come and, as a second computer, it has a lot going for it.

Hardware