Browse Ultraportable, Netbook & Tablet Class Systems

Netbooks are budget systems, smaller, lighter and less powerful than Ultraportables.  They are usually less expensive than other types of notebook computers and don't have onboard optical (CD or DVD) drives.

Who are ideal Netbook users?  Those for whom size matters most, and who need to spend as little as possible on a portable computer.  These systems have lower-powered processors, so Netbook users should also be those with light mobile tasks, like browsing the Web, word processing, blogging and email.

Ultraportables are full power notebooks usually weighing between 3 and  4.5 pounds. Ultraportables are sometimes more expensive than full-sized notebooks as they feature smaller versions of full-featured components. 

Who are ideal Ultraportable users?  Those who can afford to spend $900 or more and need more processing power and/or an onboard optical drive.  Most Ultraportables can also generally handle more demanding tasks like database programs, web design, some gaming and more.

Tablets are a third class of smaller, light-weight computer systems which generally rely on touchscreen technologies rather than traditional peripherals like mice and keyboards. 

Who are ideal Tablet users?  Those who need more flexible UI options, thin devices, or more traditional video playback options.

While Tablets have been available for years, they have not been a popular choice among users; the release of new Tablet devices in 2010, including the Apple iPad Tablet, are changing this, however.