Could a tablet pc replace a notebook/netbook?

Not really. Tablets are pretty hard to type on – they might be fine for sticky notes, but once you get into Fluther response levels, not so much. You can buy external keyboards for them, but it’s really expensive, and the tablets themselves are already more than a netbook. So, technically, you could, but it would not be the efficient, user-friendly, or financially wise decision.

You can do internet/Youtube/email/games on netbooks. Netbooks are really just tiny laptops with less impressive specs and no optical drive (cd/dvds). But they definitely have internet.

Thanks, @Aethelflaed!

Anytime!

I recently got a netbook. Mine is an Acer 10.1” Netbook PC, with # Intel Atom N550 processor
1.5GHz, 667MHz Front Side Bus, 1MB L2 Cache, 2GB DDR3 SDRAM system memory, # 320GB SATA hard drive, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition. It also came with the Nook e-reader installed.
So far I have been very satisfied with it. I have a desktop that I use for business, banking etc.
I use my little netbook for travel, or when being at the desktop is not convenient. I use it for just what you said that you would use it for. Email, checking information on websites and fluthering. If you’ll notice, mine has windows home premium and more memory and hard drive than many netbooks.
I really like the portability and it’s been great so far.

@wilma That Acer you described, does it has a type name/-number?
If you can tell me, how much about it cost you?

Acer Aspire One D260.
I got it on a special deal at Walmart I paid about $345 a few months ago.

Thanks @wilma, that looks pretty neat, it even has dual boot, Windows and Android.

I don’t know if it is still available, but it is pretty cool.

@rebbel Actually, Android is only for phones and tablets. But you could have both Windows and Linex, or Windows 7 and XP.

@Aethelflaed I knew about phones and tablets, but apparently @wilma ‘s netbook has both (check the link, if you please).

You should really check out the Asus Eee Pad Transformer. It’s an Android Tablet that comes with an optional keyboard attachment. When you attach the tablet to the keyboard, it becomes a fully functional android laptop. It’s pretty affordable; you can buy the tablet and keyboard together for $550.

No keyboard, no mouse, most likely no dvd drive, ethernet or other ports.
So no.

It depends.

For most of what you do, a tablet would suffice. However, as mentioned above, typing on them is a bit of a bitch. I type quite a bit on my Droid X (basically a 4.3” tablet that happens to make phone calls) and I have to say that if it weren’t for the Swype™ keyboard that allows me to slide my finger, I would be driven nuts by the repeated impacts of pressing each “key” on a non-yielding surface.

There are some dual-purpose rigs out there that act as a tablet when you want and a netbook when you need a keyboard. The aforementioned Asus Transformer is but one. The Dell Inspiron Duo is another, and there are many more.

I had a first-gen 8.9” Acer Aspire One that I loved as I found it to be a great machine for my needs. I type a bit and even use command-key shortcuts (especially Ctrl-S, Ctrl-V, and Ctrl-C) so having a keyboard is a big plus on anything I plan to use even remotely like a computer. (I went with the Droid X as opposed to the Droid 2 because I do most of my computer stuff on a full-fledged laptop.)

If not for the sending of e-mail, I would say tablet in a heartbeat as they are designed for consumption of information (Youtube, ‘net-surfing…) and it’s only the typing thing that makes me think that a netbook may be better for you.

Also, you might consider a low-end laptop as some are comparably priced. My Toshiba T135 cost about the same as many netbooks but has beefier specs and a bigger screen, though it’s still quite portable; under 4 pounds and the same size as a 13” Macbook. (I use a Macbook carrying case for it, and it’s a perfect fit!) The T135 I have is now obsolete by two generations, but the comparable modern model (the L735) is twice as powerful as mine, comparably sized, and far better than any netbook or tablet. The MSRP is $608.99, but you might be able to find a better deal; I saved about $100 on my T135.

I am thinking now of the Asus EEE Pad Transformer, Packard Bell Liberty Tab or any Asus, Acer or Packard Bell Dot netbooks.
Thank you @jerv, for your insight!

I am not so sure about Packard Bell. Asus and Toshiba are both more reliable than Apple (who is renowned for reliability) while my Acer… well, lets just say I got lucky there; it didn’t die until after I gave it to my 13-year-old cousin just over a year after I bought it. Yes, my 18-month-old Toshiba has outlasted the Acer! While Asus left a sour taste in my mouth due to the Eee 7xx-series being slower than snail-snot in January, I will say that Asus (is* the best in reliability, so I give them grudging respect.

Oh, and avoid HP like the plague ;)

The laptop that died on me is also an Acer, by the way.
My preference now is Asus, after reading your last reply I am even more inclined to go for that.

Personally, I prefer Toshiba. They run a close second in reliability, and IMO are generally better in other respects like performance, aesthetics, and features. But like I said, Asus left a bad taste in my mouth that still hasn’t gone away.