Notebook vs. Laptop - Clear All Your Confusion

The great progress of technology can be seen best on laptops and notebooks which are improvised types of desktop computers. Since most people is not tech savvy they often get confused when they have to distinguish between the two. In a battle notebook vs. laptop who wins? There is no victory or defeat here, it just comes down to your preferences and your budget. Having a personal computer is normal these days, and lately people prefer invest their money into laptops and notebook rather then the traditional desktop. And it is easy to see the cause of that. We have become a mobile society and people love the fact that you can take your laptop/notebook everywhere and since most of them now have built in wireless you can connect to the Internet anytime and anywhere. The data pointed out that the first quarter of 2010. showed largest laptop sales since 2002.

When comparing notebook and laptop, there is not much of a difference if you are an average user because both of them are portable, compatible and the functions they perform are very much similar. But despite that, there are some differences you should be aware of before you go and purchase either. Your final choice will depend on your field of work, age, taste, background and personality, and that is different for everyone. However, no laptop or notebook is inexpensive no matter the brand, the performances and design, but if you choose a good one according to your personal needs you will get your investment back. A notebook is designed for mobility the will not break your back while carrying it around, yet ensure all the functions users need for work and some leisure stuff. This mobility has its price, and some high end notebooks can be pretty expensive,however generally notebooks are less expensive than laptops. A laptop as the name itself suggests is designed to be in your lap so you can expect it to be large and packed up with power and functions.

Notebooks typically come in the sizes of real notebooks to almost PDA sizes. They are extremely lightweight usually weigh no more than 6 pounds and are so small they can be placed in a briefcase. Notebooks are developed to offer a combination of frequently performed functionalities of a computer and extremely small size so that is easily carried around. Laptops may vary from big briefcases sizes to smaller portables, but usually weighs 2-18 around pounds ( 1 to 8 kilograms), depending on the materials, size and other factors. They were to get in the portability factor with the computers. In the very beginning they had the same configuration as the desktop computers, but the demand and the advanced technology made them more 'lap'py.

Both of them vary in prices but as I already stated before, due to its portability and minimal power consumption notebooks are cheaper than laptops. Laptops serve is almost a complete replacements to desktop PCs without consuming a whole lot of power hence is more expensive than notebook

This is were notebooks can come in handy, they have an amazing battery life which is a big plus. Typically it lasts about 4-6 hours, but there are some notebook such as an Asus notebook whose battery is rated for more than 9 hours of life. Why? Because they have a less powerful processor than laptops, hence they have smaller power consumption. With laptops, it is just the opposite. They have a more powerful processor, and therefore consume more power and battery `s life is about 3 hours, requires frequent charging and deteriorates with time.

Laptops - HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc. Notebooks– Dell, Sony, Toshiba, etc.

Notebooks - Having in mind a smaller process power they usually do not have an effective cooling system. Laptops – Have fans and other systems like in desktops adjusted to suit its use.

Notebook has a low profile, meaning it is thin. You do not have the option of using CD`s or DVD’s, so if you are a movie buff, this definitely will not work for you. But they can be externally attached. In addition, it has minimal graphics subsystem, but does not have an internal floppy drive. It also has integrated modem and network connection so if you need Internet, there is no problem there. The screen is around 12″-14″ TFT, as for the keyboard they say it is big enough to stay functional. However, if you plan do do a lot of typing then you should seriously reconsider because I have heard some complaints how the keys are to small. Generally, notebooks due to their small size are not that flexible with hardware configurations, but how the technology is changing and everything they are getting some new additions. However, they are most know for their size, not their newest technologies.

Laptops have integrated internal DVD-ROM or DVD-RW drive, and an Nvidia GeForce or ATI Radeon graphics subsystem. Also has integrated modem, network connections, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Laptop screens are minimal  14″-17″ long, and a full featured keyboard so there are no problems with typing. There are also speakers and an integrated high quality audio system. Laptops are very much upgradable which means that they any add-ons and modifications can be easily made. You can easily run multimedia programs, as well as high-end development software like CAD or even Photoshop and Dreamweaver. Statistically, people buy more laptops than notebooks because laptops have all the features that a regular PC has and notebook does not due to its size.

I hope this article has helped you to clear your confusion between laptops and notebooks. As time passes by and technology progresses the line between the two will continue to blur, but at this moment the line is still very much clear and driven by the demands of the portable computer market.