the difference between a laptop and a notebook??

[Zoesmi]

Hi! My family are planning on buying me a laptop for going to university in September but we have no experience at all!! Can anyone tell me what the difference between a laptop and a notebook is?? are they just the same thing or is there a particular extra feature on one but not the other?what about internet?? is that built in (and free???) i'd really appreciate some help!! :)

[Behemoth]

As far as I know, they are exactly the same thing....you've got me thinking now!

[CrazyLea]

i cant say i've ever heard of a notebook. when i read the title i thought you meant a paper one.

[Jade]

is notebook not just an American version of lap top? or it could be a brand name? are IBM's not called note books? i'm confused now as well!!!

[Gabby]

She's got everyone confused now! :rotfl: I wonder who will know the answer :p

[Tori]

i think they are the same. also, if you get a laptop with a wireless card you can connect at WiFi hotspots to the internet, and build your own at home/ uni

[RealityGap]

Laptop or Notebook Computer
Today's laptops are much more powerful than even the hottest desktop computers of yesterday. They're also lighter and much more stylish. Many people are opting out of desktop computers altogether and use a laptop for all their computer needs. If you're thinking of going this route, check out these shopping tips.


Steps:
1. Read through How to Choose a Desktop Computer. The "Before you shop" points and most of "The basics" also apply when shopping for a laptop.

2. Pick up the laptops at the store. (Ask to have them unlocked if necessary.) Choose one that feels sturdy, solid and not too heavy.

3. Try the keyboard. Since you can't replace it (except with the exact same item), make sure you're comfortable with its touch and responsiveness. Test it on a desk and on your lap.

4. Test the pointing device, track pad or track ball, the laptop alternatives to a mouse. Some of these can be hard to master. You'll be able to connect an external mouse, but the built-in device is more handy when you're mobile.

5. Check if the computer's bottom gets uncomfortably hot when it's running--a problem if you actually use the laptop on your lap.

6. Pay attention to screen size and resolution. Current liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens on laptops measure from 12 to 17 inches (30 to 43 cm) diagonally. Screen resolution may be as low as 800 x 600 pixels or as high as 1600 x 1200. The more pixels, the crisper the screen image. View the screen in a variety of settings: A screen that looks great in normal room lighting can look terrible in bright or dim light.

7. Choose a laptop with at least two USB connections. A FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection is also handy for high-speed peripherals such as CD burners.

8. Consider buying an internal wireless card and a Bluetooth adapter if you really plan to be mobile. A wireless network card (also called Wi-Fi or 802.11) will free you from having to be wired to your Internet connection (see How to Network Your Computers). Bluetooth capability will let you share information wirelessly with other Bluetooth-equipped devices, such as your cell phone or personal digital assistant.

9. Get an internal DVD player so you can watch movies on the road.

10. Get an antitheft device. Hundreds of thousands of laptops are stolen every year. Look for cables that secure the laptop to a desk. Install software that disables a stolen laptop, or better yet, reports the laptop's location when it connects to the Internet.


Overall Tips:
Be skeptical of claims about battery life. In the real world, battery life is almost always less than what the manufacturer advertises.

What's the difference between a laptop and a notebook? Nothing. Use the two terms interchangeably.


What to look for:
Overall sturdiness and solidness
Weight
Keyboard
Pointing device
Temperature while in use
Screen size and resolution
USB, FireWire connections
Wireless networking
DVD player
Antitheft device

Tips from eHow Users:
One more point to check by imran
Nowdays, many customers have problems with notebook fan noise. For example, most of the Hewlett-Packard notebooks are noisy. Do check for this, because it can be irritating for you (and your peers, as well).

Rate this tip:



Laptops and Notebooks are different
Notebooks are called notebooks because they're not meant to be used on laps! I used to receive tons of complaints about notebooks too hot to use on a lap. If it's not marketed as a laptop, it's not meant to be used as one. Check the documentation for notebooks and most likely they'll say not to use on a lap!

[RealityGap]

So basically a laptop is a notebook that can be used on your lap and a notebook will get hotter and not suitable for use on your lap - if you agree with the comment from a user!

BUT I think I agree our laptop stays cooler than our note book