In the quick guide the main differences between the two are outlined but this article will explain in a little more detail the purpose that both Tablets and Netbooks serve.

Essentially Netbooks are better for content creation while Tablets enhance content consumption.

You may not be surprised to learn that the average person will spend 75% of their computer time consuming content; whilst spending just 25% creating it. So, if you put it down to statistics most people would be best suited to a tablet - but what happens when one wants to compose a long email or write an essay;  would a netbook be the best choice then?

People appreciate the compact nature of netbooks but when it comes to consuming content the tablet is the optimal device. In terms of  portability the tablet is slightly superior to the netbook, mainly due to the fact that they are essentially just a touch screen, and it is this straight forward touch screen interface that has made consuming media and online content simpler and more responsive than ever before. Your online life is instantly accessible - Facebook, Twitter, blogs, ebooks, movies, games, apps - are all literally at your finger tips. The flexibility of tablets suggest they could become an integral part of everybody's digital lifestyles but it is important to mention here that the presence of tablets will never defunct the need for desktops or laptops when it comes to serious content creation or heavy content management.

According to market research and some industry professionals the demand for netbooks has already peaked and customers are now becoming preferential toward tablets and the new hybrid models such as the Lenovo Ideapad. However it is difficult to make any sweeping generalisations about future sales as the ipad and other tablets are very much the new kids on the technology block and faddy behaviours along with celebrity endorsements may wain in the future.

Yet, when it comes to users whose priority is online consumption on a light, portable, responsive device the tablet may win out. Our constantly developing digital lifestyles mean that our dependency on access to content is growing - this is where tablets come into their own enabling users to access their online lives anytime, anyplace, anywhere - My friend insists on carrying his ipad everywhere and by that I mean from the sofa to the kitchen, he even takes it to the bathroom!

Touch screen technology and the emergence of the tablet along with smartphones has changed the way we think about computers and their role in our life.

For laptop lovers who can afford to splash out on other gadgets a tablet may be a quirky supplementary device but it will never be viewed as a PC substitute. As a writer I will always prioritise a netbook or laptop over a tablet - It's all about the keyboard for me and dabbing away on a touch-pad-keyboard just doesn't cut the mustard in my opinion. Yet the tablet may prove to be a vital device for individuals who for one reason or another are not computer literate - whether that be through a medical condition or just lack of education - the tablet's simple user interface allows anyone to browse online content in the simplest and most direct way.

So, the netbook wins the war in my house but the tablet is undoubtebly going to hold its place in the market, and quite rightly too.

Perhaps the hybrid can convince me...

We are the first to admit that netbooks are very similar in specification. Here, Atom Netbooks reveals our favourite netbooks for your Christmas shopping - and the cheapest sites to buy netbooks. So, if you are after the cheapest netbook, the best netbook, a pink netbook or you dont know Which Netbook to buy, then hopefully this article will be of use to you.

Best Netbooks

1. ASUS EEE PC 1000
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 120gb HD, 10” Screen, Windows XP One of the best netbooks currently available. Fully featured, best spec and well built. Our recommended netbook.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, PC World, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

2. Toshiba NB100
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 120gb HD, 8.9” Screen, Windows XP A great high quality netbook from Toshiba. Get the Toshiba NB100 netbook free from e2save, when you sign up to mobile broadband.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, Comet, Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, Micro Direct, e2save.com (free netbook),

3. Lenovo S10
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 160gb HD, 10” Screen, Windows XP Great build quality. Feels like an expensive laptop. Good battery life and the 160gb hard drive is big for a netbook
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, play.com, PC World,

4. Acer Aspire One
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, Various Specifications including SSD, Hard Drives, Windows XP and Linux, 8.9" screen A true netbook - 8.9" screens throughout the netbook range make this a tiny mini-laptop. With a wide array of options you can find the right version for you! Ranging from £170 to £300.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, PC World, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

5. ASUS EEE PC 901
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 20gb SSD, 8.9" Screen, Windows XP or Linux A small, fast netbook with a great battery life. We recommend the 12gb SSD that comes with Linux for speed.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, PC World, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

6. Advent 4211 Netbook
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 120gb HD, 10” Screen, Windows XP One of the first decent netbooks available to buy, the Advent Atom based 4211 netbook is only available from currys, dixons or pc world.
Buy Online: PC World,Â

7. Samsung NC10
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 160gb HD, 10” Screen, Windows XP There's something just lovely about the Samsung NC10 - it feels (and is!) more expensive than its other netbook friends. Great battery life and probably more suited to the business sector.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, PC World, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

8. MSI Wind
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 120gb HD, 10” Screen, Windows XP Although available in other colours, we think this pink netbook is perfect for young girls. Just imagine some high school musical stickers on this netbook!
Buy Online: Misco.co.uk, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

9. HP Mini 2133
	Via C7, 1gb RAM, 120gb HD, 8.9” Screen, Windows Vista A quality machine, slightly let down by the C7 processor and Vista Business, but nonetheless a top netbook with a promising future.
Buy Online: dabs.com, Misco.co.uk, PC World, Play.com, Amazon.co.uk

10. Dell Mini 9
	Intel Atom 1.6ghz, 1gb RAM, 8/16gb SSD, 8.9” Screen, Ubuntu or Windows XP Tiny netbook from Dell, the basic model (8gb and Ubuntu seems overpriced) but it is fast and perfect for internet surfing on the sofa! Get the Dell Mini 9 for FREE with Vodafone
Buy Online: dell.co.uk, vodafone.co.uk

Its work in progress at the moment, so if there is anything missing, please email us to let us know and we'll add a netbook.

We'll add new netbooks when the are released, so that Which Netbook? becomes an definitive database of available netbooks.

Of course, we'll still have the latest Netbook Reviews and Netbook News.

Atom Netbooks is the UK's leading website dedicated to Netbooks!

Compare Netbooks now with Atom Netbooks.