Computerworld has a nice article that points out some reasons that the new netbook craze may be a bad choice for some companies (Small Laptops Pose A Big Security Risk). This is a good warning to companies, especially those larger companies regulated by various federal and ethical rules, that smaller laptops may lose some critical security support.
Of course, the rules for the new mini-laptops should be the same as those for your other laptops: use a label service to track lost ones, use encryption if any customers records are stored there, and be careful accessing your company network using wireless.
The problems come with some of the features left out to keep both the size and price as tiny as possible. Since they're aimed at consumers, most netbooks don't include a hardware chip called TPM for Trusted Platform Module that helps with encryption. Larger and more expensive laptops with TPM support encryption for the disk and for the entire system, often with biometric support like a fingerprint reader. These fully equipped laptops may be larger, but not all that more expensive. HP offers encryption and biometrics on their small business laptops starting at $629.
Larger companies should have in place rules and policies to enforce better user security behavior. My concern is for the smaller companies buying these because they're cheaper and easier to carry. Don't be seduced by the low price and pay a huge penalty for storing critical business information on an easily lost, not well protected little laptop. The money you save with the purchase will be long forgotten when explaining to customers why their account information disappeared along with your netbook.
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What's the difference?
I see no difference between a netbook and a notebook.All of the caveats mentioned for netbooks apply just as much to notebooks.
What's the difference?
I think the difference lies solely in the size difference (which may not be very much, but still...)- every ounce less weight and fraction of an inch smaller lends to a perceived increase in convenience and ease of use (note I say perceived)- that perception of increased convenience for many if not most non-IT pros translates to increased complacency and decreased attention to security, which leads directly to increased losses and indirectly to increased risk of theft. People really do get lazier and less attentive when an object's convenience and ease of use improve.Laptops
Let's face it, the best thing about laptops is that you can lie in bed and do e-mailing and other lightweight personal tasks. You can also easily take them on trips. Desktops are best when they must be shared with others, especially when there are kids in the family.