What's the difference between a laptop computer and a notebook computer?

Question

I notice that notebooks are cheaper. What won't they do?

Answer 1

laptops and notebooks are generally in the same category. many companies are hesitant to call their computers "laptops" as the heat from modern computers is usually more than you can comfortably set on your lap for hours.
the desktop replacement is usually a huge notebook that is not designed for true mobility, but more for ease of carrying it on business trips and such. you wouldn't want to try to use one of these in the airplane. some companies just use this term for powerful notebooks that perform as well as desktops.

there is no standard or guideline for what term is applied by companies and therefore it gets somewhat confusing. the best thing to do is just look at the screen size and weight to tell you how big the thing is.

Answer 2

Some of the first portable computers were called laptops because of the size. While portable they were the size of some suitcases. It literally covered your whole laptop. In recent years, companies have begun using the term "notebook" because most of the portable computers today aren't much bigger than a notebook, like a Mead college ruled notebook. Hence the name.
However, the term laptop computer has been used so much during the intervening years it is pretty much the default name when referring to portable computers.

Now if the "notebook/laptop" seems to be cheaper it is most likely because it has been made with less powerful components than other "notebook/laptops", such as processor type and speed, screen size, amount of ram and size of hard drive. Perhaps the cheaper models don't have some of the nicer luxury features of the more expensive models like wireless network card, DVD drive or even a CD burner. There are so many reasons why one would be cheaper. Heck, it might be last years model or even a refurbished model (used but like new)

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Laptop is the american appellation . It describes the appearance of the machine. Notebook is the British appellation, and it describes the function of the machine. Otherwise no difference except in the minds of those who created the descriptive name of the portable pc

Answer 4

back in 367bc the icars first came up with a way of carrying their important inscriptions to various sacrifices that took place up near the volcano's edge, in translation from acnient Peruvian dialect used by the Incas "die olji nukla" meaning tablet Peruvian chalk, from this "tablet PC" was derived. When put on the witchdoctors knee"s to be read this action been called placing the tablet PC on his laptop, thus laptop is exactly the same as a notebook, dhhhhrr

Answer 5

No difference just names

Answer 6

It is different term for the same thing! they really do the same things, it is just that some companies name them differently!

Answer 7

None.
The terms are synonymous.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 8

they are the same thing...there is one other name, the desktop replacement...pretty intuitive since things look like PC's keep getting smaller....don't worry i dont think they will get as small as your brain is rip van winkle...how many years have you been asleep for anyway?

Answer 9

they are the same

Answer 10

It's like "tuhmater", without the "tuh".