1. a small, lightweight laptop computer designed primarily for web browsing and basic computing tasks, typically with a screen smaller than 12 inches
Usage: informal; computing; term became less common after tablets and ultrabooks gained popularity

Examples

• She bought a netbook for travel because it was light enough to fit in her backpack.
• Netbooks were popular in the late 2000s for students who needed affordable portable computers.
• The netbook's small screen made it convenient for checking email and browsing the web on the go.
• Many netbooks came with solid-state drives instead of traditional hard drives.
• He preferred his netbook to a full-sized laptop for business trips.