回复：请教：陈良宇的儿子被判有期徒刑3年，缓刑4年，这是什么意思？

You are right. It is not much of difference.

There could be condition attached such as no voting rights (剥夺政治权利）or can not leave the country ETC. It does not seems he was punished to the right degree.

还不如向新加波一样用鞭子抽几下实惠！