netbook or laptop - can someone explain the difference in non-technical words?

[thelightsareon]

My laptop is elderly and not entirely reliable these days. I'm getting to the point of thinking I should replace it, or at least have an idea what to replace it with when the times comes.

I use it for the Internet, email, keeping photos and iTunes. I don't have much spare cash and am told that netbooks are cheaper.

So, would a netbook be enough? what are the differences between netbooks and laptops? is security adequate on a netbook?

The biggest difference as far as I can tell is that the netbook is a lot smaller and fits in my handbag!

I don't think you can put as much stuff on it but I use it for everything you name above (apart from iTunes - no idea whether it would do that or not) and it also has a built in camera for Skyping.

Security is just as good.

HTH. You'll probably get someone along soon with more technical know-how who will give you a more detailed reply.....

www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Netbook_vs_Laptop/page.asp

Just found this for you, screen size is generally smaller but most dont have a dvd drive.

As far as I know, the lack of a DVD drive in a netbook is the main difference.

Netbook will have no optical drive, i.e. DVD or CD. Also have less memory and usually a very small keyboard to go along with it's small size.

Security will be just as good.

Depending on how you use iTunes, an external drive might be an idea, which would be usable with your current laptop and anything you choose to use in future.

I cannot give any advice on keeping your paid-for items in iTunes, but having a backup would be high on my list if I used it.

I keep music as MP3 files so I can backup all my files and play them on any machine (whether the system runs Linux, Windows, or OS X).