whats the difference between a Notebook and a Laptop?

[BruNgoLD]

this question came up as my gf was studying for one of her finals..

anyone know?

 

[RossMAN]

They're the same thing, a notebook is also called a laptop.

 

[BruNgoLD]

strange.. thats what i thought too.. but in her book, they said something about "... notebooks and laptops..." like they were different things

 

[RossMAN]

Nah they're the same thing, there's even some laptops called "sub-notebooks" or something like that. Basically really small, power efficient, slow laptops for people who ride the short bus.

 

[BruNgoLD]

aahh i see..

thanks for the info.. i hope that wasnt one of the questions on her test!

 

[Mutilator]

They're also called "portables"

 

[Laguna]

I always thought a notebook was a small laptop, as in those portables that are similar to a laptop, but are very thin and utilize a docking station. That was just my own interpretation though, for what it's worth

 

[b0mbrman]

Yep...my tech dictionary's listing for "Notebook" says "See laptop computer"

 

[kylef]

A TRUE "laptop" computer was something that was portable and could just barely be considered comfortable to sit on your lap while you worked. The first portable computers, if you remember, were so large that they needed a desk or you risked cutting off your circulation.

We had an old Compaq "laptop" that had a CRT screen built into it. It was basically as heavy as a portable typewriter and just about as large and cumbersome to carry. I think the screen was 9 or 10 inches...

 

[johneetrash]

<< They're also called "portables" >>



there are some "potties" that can be classified under that too

 

[Passions]

I thought notebooks were generally smaller and more portable than a laptop? EHEHEHE.

 

[Frosty3799]

<<

<< They're also called "portables" >>



there are some "potties" that can be classified under that too >>



Hmm interesting combo... a pottie-laptop ... the computer could swing around from the back while you sat on the pottie

 

[BigJohnKC]

Same thing as far as I know, depends on where you come from - like the difference between soda and pop.

 

[SCSIfreek]

They sell notebooks in Kmart, Longs Drug Stores, Welgreen, Albertson, and department stores in the school supply section no?

Laptops are found in CRAPusa, WorstBuy, CircusCity, www.Dull.com, etc with computers and printer section no? Those are two different thang!!!! How can you say they're the same.

 

[BDawg]

My first laptop (Texas Instruments P75) was so hot, you actually couldn't put it on your lap without long pants. TI's response was that their computers are notebooks and not laptops, so you shouldn't put it on your lap.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Notebook and Laptop... Think I'll have the notebook.

 

[hans007]

back in the early 90s, when lighter machines first started coming out it was based on size.


notebooks tended to be stuff like less than 2" thick. back then laptops were like 2.5" thick.

basically a laptop would be what is a 3 spindle now, and a 2 spindle would be a notebook. 1 spindle being a subnotebook. And a really thin subnotebook (think toshiba portege 2000 as ultralight, and a sony viao srx77 as a subnotebook) would be a ultralight (under 3 pounds)

 

[jschuk]

Hans007 is right. I also believe the term notebook came about when the machine reached the same dimensions (except thickness) as a paper notebook, 8.5"x11". It fits the description too, notebooks from 3-7 years ago are about 8.5"x11". Of course with the big screens now, notebook doesn't exactly fit the description for most machines.

 

[apoppin]

There IS a difference.

Well, not much and basically they are now interchangeable words.

A laptop is a portable computer that can sit comfortably on your lap while you work. The CPU runs cool.

A notebook has a hotter-running CPU that might burn your leg.

"Laptop" is generally an older term for the first cooler-running (not the TI P75 ) low-power portable computers and as they became more powerful (& hot) they tended to be called notebooks.