Difference between laptop and notebook

[jeffcoo]

Hi People,

What's The Difference Between Laptop and Notebook Computers?

[Regina]

Most people use the terms notebook and laptop computer interchangably. Once it's not sitting on top of your desk every portable computer instantly becomes a notebook or laptop regardless of its configuration or individual specification. There are, however, some very big differences between notebook and laptop computers and it's important that you're aware of these differences during the buying process.

The Notebook Computer

A standard notebook has the following features:

1. Ultralight. Less weight is better.
2. 4 - 5 hour battery life.
3. No internal floppy drive.
4. Minimal graphics subsystem.
5. No internal DVD or CD system.
6. 12" - 14" TFT screen.
7. Low profile (thin).
8. Integrated modem and network connection.
9. Smallest possible keyboard that retains functionality.
10. Low power consumption Celeron/Centrino or Sempron style processor.

In essence a notebook computer is designed to provide mobile computing that won't break your back yet still offer all the power the mobile users requires for work and some leisure pursuits. This portability normally comes at a price. The level of minituarization involved comes at a cost and high end notebooks can prove to be quite expensive.

The Laptop Computer

The standard laptop computer would have some ,if not all, of the following features:

1. 14" - 17" (widescreen) TFT screen.
2. Nvidia GeForce or ATI Radeon graphics subsystem.
3. Internal DVD-ROM or DVD-RW drive
4. Large full featured keyboard.
5. 3 hour+ battery life.
6. Upgradeable.
7. Integrated modem, network, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.
8. High quality integrate audio and speaker system.
9. Low power consumption, high performance Intel Centrino style processor.

From reading the above information you'll see that the notebook is the exact opposite of the laptop. Notebooks offer reasonable power and extreme portability. Laptops are designed to be capable of replacing an entire desktop PC if necessary whilst still offering desktop performance in a mobile platform.

As time and technology moves on the line between laptop and notebook will continue to blur.

[Bon-Z]

You may be wondering what's the difference between a notebook and a laptop computer? The answer depends on who makes it. Some Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's) call their mobile computers "laptops" and some call them "notebooks". The terms are often used interchangeably. Lately, a new breed of terms have been popping up. Terms like deskbooks and Tablet PC's.

Laptop computers are somewhat larger than notebooks and will accommodate a built-in disk drive unit and; optionally, a floppy drive unit. That is, a CD ROM drive is either built into the unit or the unit has a built-in bay that will accommodate a removable CD ROM drive.

Notebook computers will allow you to attach, via cable, a CD ROM drive. ( Not always as I have one of HCL )Since the drive is not built into the unit, notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops. Hence, a notebook is an ultra small laptop. Another way to look at it is a notebook is about the size (or a little larger than) of a real [binder] notebook.If you use note books are more harder than laptops as my laptop's system dead twice but note book not.

[Simond]

I think Laptops tend to be bigger than notebooks and are more likely to have more ram, a bigger hdd and include an dvd burner. Notebooks tend to be smaller and might not have all the bells and whistles like a cd burner or large hdd. As for recommendations... I don't really care, whether it's Sony, Samsung, HP or whatever doesn't really matter as long as it's cheap. The OS is more important.
Sometimes "laptop" and "notebook" are used as synonymous terms, but the laptop is larger and is more useful and can substitute for a desktop with the proper accessories.If you want to play games, need more power, and better graphics, go laptop. A piece of advice- check out consumer reports 2009 guide for computer products or the December 2008 issue of the magazine.

[Pugsly]

Laptop computers are somewhat larger than notebooks and will accommodate a built-in disk drive unit and; optionally, a floppy drive unit. That is, a CD ROM drive is either built into the unit or the unit has a built-in bay that will accommodate a removable CD ROM drive.

Notebook computers will allow you to attach, via cable, a CD ROM drive. Since the drive is not built into the unit, notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops. Hence, a notebook is an ultra small laptop. Another way to look at it is a notebook is about the size (or a little larger than) of a real [binder] notebook.

Laptop: A portable computer small enough to use on one's lap.

Notebook: A light, portable computer that is generally thinner than a laptop.