New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/05/2011 -- Laptops have come a long way as a convenient mode of computing. However, the latest buzzword in the computing industry is netbooks. iYogi, the provider of on-demand remote tech support services, has recently come up with a report to help distinguish between the two so you can make an informed purchase. This latest 'iYogi Reviews' report gives you a comparative analysis between the laptops and netbooks. For starters, the netbook is smaller, lighter, cheaper and simpler.

According to research firm Gartner, the sale of laptops witnessed an enormous increase by 43.4 percent in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 2009. Out of which, 71 percent of the overall laptops sales growth was due to netbooks. However, netbooks have their own limitations. Before making any buying decision consumers should have a deeper understanding of both laptops and netbooks.

"The entry of netbooks into the market has played a huge role in the quantum leap in laptop users across the world primarily due to their lower price points and ease of use," said Vishal Dhar, President Marketing and co-founder of iYogi. "However, deciding if the laptop or netbook is the best option depends on individual usage patterns, needs and budget."

iYogi reviews the top features that distinguish laptops and netbooks:

• Portability - What instantly comes to mind, when one thinks of a netbook is the ease to carry it anywhere and anytime. The display or screen size of a netbook ranges from 7 to 10 inches, while a laptop display or screen size is larger, usually from 13 to 22 inches diagonally. This makes netbooks weigh less and smaller in size as compared to laptops. Also, netbooks weigh less than 5 pounds while laptops are reasonably heavier.

• Resolution – Resolution is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that are displayed on the screen. Usually, the larger the screen, the better the resolution. Most netbooks today allow for maximum screen resolution of 1024*600 pixels. This is the lowest resolution still offering you effortless reading and comfortable surfing over majority of websites. Anything below this resolution, combined with a smaller screen, will not allow you to view the whole width of the web page in a single view. Thus, you will need to scroll the page back and forth to read a complete line of text.

• Performance – Size is not the only discriminating factor. The main drawback of netbooks is weaker performance specifications. If you compare it to a laptop, a netbook is comprised of lower hard drive speed, processor speed and data memory. As a result, running any kind of processor-intensive jobs (i.e. graphics, footage or video) would be obstructive and not as clear as a laptop.

• Keyboard – One of the more noticeable drawbacks of a netbook when compared to a laptop is a cramped keyboard with small keys. There is a much greater possibility to mistype in a netbook as a result. You will likely spend much of your time correcting and re-doing the mistakes you made.

• Optical drives and connectivity – Netbooks lack the provision of optical disc drives – this means you cannot operate any CDs or DVDs in it. However, all netbooks come with built-in Wi-Fi and the latest ones have Bluetooth connectivity allowing for an easy wireless connection to a 3G mobile phone for Internet access while on the move.

• Price – Price is one of the most considered factors that lead people to opt for netbooks. Netbooks are available within the price range of $200-$500 depending on the brand. On the contrary, the lowest price for a laptop is around $400 and can go up to $2,000 if one is looking to invest in a high-quality brand with all the premiums. Thus, the netbook price range undercuts the laptop market considerably. One can easily get Internet access, type and edit documents, and play games that don't require a lot of graphics to run. The higher end netbook models offer more storage, more RAM and other added features.

• Battery life – Due to its large screen and peripheral devices, laptops necessitate more power backup because the overall battery consumption is significantly higher. Laptops cannot run on true battery power for as long as netbooks can. Battery life is a strong point that netbooks have over laptops - some models also boast offering up to 9 hours. The smaller the size of the netbook the more power efficient they are. You can conveniently use a netbook for 5 to 6 hours on average without recharging the batteries through an external source. This is approximately 3 times longer than what your laptop would deliver.

Despite the lack of certain features, the price, portability and battery backup, all put together; can make a netbook a better deal, especially for students and travelers. But depending on individual requirements and approach; whether one wants it to remain at one's home or office or needs to carry it while on the road, one can choose between the two. Also, if you are an avid user with daily requirements of high processing speed, storage etc., iYogi suggests that a laptop is your best bet.

About iYogi
iYogi is a global on-demand services company that provides personalized computer support for consumers and small businesses in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. iYogi's unique model, including proprietary iMantra technology and highly qualified technicians, is designed to eliminate computer-related stress and keep digitally dependent consumers and small businesses protected and productive. iYogi -- with its proven global expertise delivery model, intelligent customer insight systems, easy-to-use self-help tools and automated PC optimization and computer support services – offers users a simple yet comprehensive path to digital serenity. iYogi has perfected the remote technical support model to overcome the current limitations of in-store, on-site, or call center services. Major resellers and technology companies are turning to iYogi to improve customer satisfaction, reduce return rates, and deliver a compelling new-value added offering to customers. For more information on iYogi and a detailed list of technologies supported, visit: http://www.iyogi.com.

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Chelsea Irwin
GlobalFluency
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