Netbook

Netbooks are laptops that are light-weight, economical, energy-efficient and especially suited for wireless communication and Internet access.^[21][22] Hence the name netbook (as "the device excels in web-based computing performance").^[23]

With primary focus given to web browsing and e-mailing, netbooks are intended to "rely heavily on the Internet for remote access to web-based applications"^[23] and are targeted increasingly at cloud computing users who rely on servers and require a less powerful client computer.^[24] A common distinguishing feature is the lack of optical disk (i.e. CD, DVD or BluRay) drives. While the devices range in size from below 5 inches^[25] to over 12,^[26] most are between 9 and 11 inches (280 mm) and weigh between 0.9–1.4 kg (2–3 pounds).^[23]

Netbooks are mostly sold with light-weight operating systems such as Linux, Windows XP and Windows 7 Starter edition.

Netbook

• A smaller, lighter, more portable laptop. It is also usually cheaper than a full-size laptop, but has fewer features and less computing power. Smaller keyboards can be more difficult to operate. There is no sharp line of demarcation between netbooks and inexpensive small laptops; some 11.6" models are marketed as netbooks. Since netbook laptops are quite small in size, CDs cannot be used in these computers.
• Tablet PC: these have touch screens. There are "convertible tablets" with a full keyboard where the screen rotates to be used atop the keyboard, and "slate" form-factor machines which are usually touch-screen only (although a few older models feature very small keyboards along the sides of the screen.)
• Rugged: Engineered to operate in tough conditions (mechanical shocks, extreme temperatures, wet and dusty environments).