What / How about

[dido4]

I don't know how to tell the differences between these two.

What about.....?
How about......?

Thank you

[Pete]

I don't know how to tell the differences between these two.

What about.....?
How about......?

Thank you
I believe you can use them interchangeably, at least in the examples that come readily to my mind. However, I think that more often you use "what about" with concrete things and "how about" with actions:

- We need to pick a present for Pat. / What about a book?

- What shall we do this afternoon? / How about playing golf?

(But the other prhase could be used as well in both cases.)

[Temico]

I don't know how to tell the differences between these two.

What about.....?
How about......?

Thank you

They can be used interchangeably but not in the following examples:-

i) How about paying me now? = Why not pay me now?
ii) How about getting(= why not get) an experienced mechanic to fix the car instead of you fiddling with it by yourself?