Netbooks are thin, light, cheap and less powerful laptops while ultrabooks are thin, light, expensive and powerful notebook computers. That’s the general difference in a nutshell.

Ultrabooks are meant to be premium notebooks while netbooks are meant to be low-cost laptop computers.

Therefore, a netbook and an ultrabook are two very distinct types of portable laptop PCs and when shopping for a brand new notebook, you should know the difference, which you do now.

For a guide to ultrabooks plus reviews, opinions, shopping guides and best price finder, check out Ultrabook Star.

Question: What are the major benefits of a netbook over a conventional laptop?

Answer: The short answer is: portability, mobility and price.

One of the benefits of a netbook is that you can throw it in your jacket’s pocket or your handbag and you’re good to go. No need to carry an extra laptop bag or anything like that.

Another netbook benefit is that do to its lightweight size, you don’t have to worry about your shoulder becoming all numb. If you have to lug around a heavy desktop replacement, you probably know what I mean. 

One of the most important benefits of a netbook the fact that you can use it, anywhere, anytime to do the most basic computing tasks. Tasks that you cannot not do with a smartphones and tasks that a super computer could do. (Photo courtesy: www.zieak.com)

Ultimately though, the biggest benefit of a netbook is the price. Today you can score a more than decent mini-laptop for about $150 (that’s the really motivated shopper) or at $100 but with a slight catch. Try getting such prices with full-sized notebooks!

Would I pick a netbook over a conventional laptop? Oh yes. It’s the ultimate computing choice for those times when you’re on the move. Of course there are other benefits of a netbook but the above are the most essential in my humble opinion.