Some people hear netbook and they think notebook. That is not entirely accurate. A netbook is basically a small, ultra-portable laptop or notebook with a low price point.
Unfortunately, there is no absolute hardware definition for a netbook. They run regular computer operating systems (OS) and software. They are not mobile devices like an iPhone or a Blackberry that must use a specialized OS. Their core functionality is general Internet use, email, web browsing, office productivity software, and other tasks for which portability is a major asset.
They tend to weigh about 2 pounds, have 4 or more hours of battery life, and feature built in options for internet access - usually some or all of the following: wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
For an in depth comparison of netbooks and laptops, I recommend this article: Netbooks vs. Laptops.

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