What is the difference between a laptop and a notebook?

Question

What is the difference between a laptop and a notebook?

Answer 1

Two letters. Seriously, though, "laptop" was marketed as an alternative to the bigger "desktops," and you can still see people with them on their laps in places like airports. But these things are hinged on one side and open just like a notebook--they gained this other name as they became thinner and lighter. Many people (like me) in fact use a notebook on a desk and hook up a big screen--mine's 21" diagonally. I often write notes and grade papers, so I can shut the 'puter and it's out of the way. And it frees up the shelves underneath cuz there's no bulky CPU box. Very crever people.

Answer 2

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.

ON THE OTHER HAND...

The Laptop Computer

Now for the laptop computer. Again look at the name. A laptop is designed to sit on your lap and you can therefore expect it to be quite large and loaded down with features and power. The

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.

Answer 3

Nothing, they are just the same. Laptop is the original name the computer was given because you can use it on your laps. Notebook is the name that is commonly used these days because the newer computers are becoming lighter and thinner, therefore resembling notebooks.

Hope this was short and straight to the point for you.

Answer 4

They are the same thing, some people however view a "notebook" more in common with the phrase "desktop replacement"  Alienware creates notebooks that are not really meant for sitting on the lap, more of a desktop replacement system thats a little more portable.

but chances are if someones saying "notebook" or "laptop"  your on the same page, and thinking the same thing.

Answer 5

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. There are, however, some very big differences between notebook and laptop computers.

Let's look at the notebook computer first. A standard notebook has the following features:

1. Ultralight. Less weight is better.

2. 4 hours+ 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 or Centrino 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.

Now for the laptop computer. Again look at the name. A laptop is designed to sit on your lap and you can therefore expect it to be quite large and loaded down with features and power.

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. 2 hour+ battery life.

6. Upgradeable.

7. Integrated modem, network 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.