I need to buy a new notebook or netbook (what's the difference?) to replace my ancient Windows 98 laptop, but I realise it wouldn't be suitable for work involving a lot of writing. Would it be practicable to use one with an external monitor and keyboard?
Pat Macneil
Netbooks are generally smaller, lighter and cheaper – they tend to have 7in to 12in screens where notebooks have 12in to 17in screens. They also have better battery life, due to their use of Intel Atoms instead of Core 2 Duo chips. However, the Atom is less powerful, and not suitable for tasks that need processing power. It may not be able to play HD movies, or even HQ movies from YouTube, without dropping frames.
Most netbooks and notebooks can be used with a standalone screen, USB keyboard and mouse, and Windows lets you use two screens as standard. (Right-click on the desktop, select Properties and click Settings.) Read the notebook PC's specification to find out what type of video output port it offers, then buy a suitable cable and screen.
Some business notebooks have a port (or slot) on the bottom for connecting to a docking station. This lets you keep the keyboard, mouse, screen, printer and other peripherals connected to the docking station while simply docking the notebook when required. Small docking stations are usually called port replicators. If you want to take this route, port replicators and/or docking stations are available for IBM ThinkPads, Toshiba, Dell, Fujitsu Amio and Stylistic, HP/Compaq, Sony and some other notebook PCs. In general, I'd go for a notebook with a special slot, not one that connects to a docking station via a USB port.
A docking station adds to the cost, but in my experience, it's much cheaper than the physiotherapy you may need after spending too many hours writing on an unergonomic notebook.
