There are so many portable computer options available to consumer today that sometimes it's hard to decide what the best solution is for your particular needs. The three main categories of portable computers on the market today are Laptops, Netbooks and the newest entry into the market, Tablet computers.
Netbooks and Laptops
Laptop With Tablet Screen
When you think of portability, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is how easily can I transport the computer from place to place? For some people a trade off of fewer features for less bulk is a viable option. Netbook computers are generally lighter and have a smaller form factor than the more full featured laptop. A Netbook offers a scaled down array of features. They are really good for using the internet and social networking applications but may lack the processing power of a full size laptop computer and are not particularly good for handling processor heavy tasks like HD video and 3D graphics.
Laptop PC's are nearly as powerful as mid-level desktop PC's. They are great for multitasking and have the processing power necessary to handle just about every application a typical user needs. Although some models are bulky and hard to tote around many now are slimmer and lighter than in the past. One disadvantage of laptop PC's is, for the most part, they take quite awhile to boot up. Many applications and services must start before the operating system is ready to use. Another issue is that they have standard hard drives encased in the body. While they are pretty reliable, they do fail occasionally. Usually due to all the moving parts inside. Users must be vigilant about backing up there data or risk losing everything.
Tablet PC's - Combine the best of both worlds
Many Tablet PC's have SSD or solid state storage drives, which means everything is stored on a chip or card. No moving parts mean fewer opportunities for loss of data because of mechanical failure. Tablet PC's make use of a touch screen for input. Many, like the iPod Touch have an onscreen fully functioning virtual keyboard. If a user wants a standard type keyboard one can be attached. Applications are continually being developed for this new market on several platforms from many different software developers.