Laptop vs Notebook - Difference and Comparison

Initially, laptops were created to emulate the functionality of desktops; however, demand for laptops for entertainment purposes has led to the development of more compact devices, such as netbooks and tablets . Notebooks were also designed to function similarly to desktops, but were geared more toward personal use than business use. The handy notebook size was what defined notebook computers. When they were first released, they did not even have a replaceable hard disk or other associated peripherals.

A laptop computer, or simply laptop , is a portable computer which usually weighs 4-8 pounds (2 to 4 kilograms), depending on display size, hardware , and other factors. A notebook is a personal computer that foregoes some functionality to remain lightweight and small. Notebook computers typically weigh less than 5 pounds and are small enough — "notebook sized" — to fit easily in a backpack or briefcase.

Functionality

Laptops were created to imitate the full functionality of a desktop unit with the addition of portability. Notebook computers were meant to be light and provide "bare bones" laptop functionality. Initially, hard drive capacity and RAM were usually much higher in laptops, and many offered CD/DVD drives that matched those found in desktop units. However, as chip sets and hardware capabilities have expanded, the differences between a laptop and a notebook computer have blurred, both in size and functionality.

Laptops were originally marketed as "business" machines, capable of using spreadsheet, presentation, and financial software packages, just as desktops could. Notebooks were mainly marketed for "personal" tasks, such as email, writing, entertainment, and file management. The biggest difference between the two eventually became the size and weight of the battery, with laptops boasting 2-3 times the battery life of notebooks, but also weighing 3-5 pounds more.

As hardware capabilities increased, laptops became powerful enough to become primary computers for many people. Despite being more expensive than desktop units, the computer had become a personal device used for much more than office or schoolwork, so portability was a key feature. The growth of smartphone and tablet use also reduced the need and usability of a desktop unit, as well as the need for a large laptop. Notebooks also started featuring high-resolution screens, while the need for DVD drives was reduced as broadband Wi-Fi and streaming through services like Netflix and Spotify became ubiquitous.

In 2007, laptop sales declined for the first time since 1998, while notebook sales rose. Even so, the rise of tablet computers slowed notebook sales in 2010. What has emerged from this proliferation of portable computing devices is a nuanced market, with laptops occupying the high-end user niche (graphic artists, executives, freelancers), notebooks used primarily by students and highly-mobile workers, and tablets used widely by the general public.

A big advantage of laptops is that they can be configured in many ways for different tasks and needs. For example, a common laptop configuration for playing games includes expanding RAM, adding a high-end graphics and video card, and "overclocking" (removing limitations) on the hardware to allow for faster response times.

The typical laptop nowadays has a 1 terabyte (TB) drive or a solid state drive (SSD), the latter of which is hundreds of times faster than hard drives were 10 years ago. RAM capacity is often 4-12 GB, screens feature large HD resolutions (and sometimes retinal displays), and battery life is about 6-10 hours. Many laptops are large enough to offer a full keyboard, are usually about 13-18 inches wide, and weigh 4-8 lbs. on average.

Notebook computers are less likely to offer a full-sized keyboard, ranging from 8.5 to 12.5 inches. The average notebook offers about 512 GB on the hard drive, with some models now offering an SSD option of up to 1 TB. RAM is usually 2-4 GB, and screen quality can vary. Two major differences between current laptops and notebooks are found in battery life and weight: notebooks tend to have a much longer battery life (ranging from 5 to 14 hours) typically weigh in at under 5 lbs.

There is a hybrid niche of extremely lightweight portable computers that feature full-sized keyboards, but below-average hardware capabilities. An example from this category would be the MacBook Air, which has a 13.5-inch screen and a full-sized keyboard, while weighing less than 3 pounds. The battery life is rated at 7 hours, but depending on use, it can extend up to 13 hours. The basic MacBook Air does not offer ports for connecting other devices, has a limited 360 GB hard drive, and has no DVD drive.

Cost

Prices for new laptop computers vary widely depending on screen size and hardware configurations. Low-end laptops tend to go for under $500, while high-end laptops used for advanced work-related tasks or gaming can easily exceed $1,000. Apple's Mac laptops will generally be more expensive than comparable PC laptops.

Notebook computers are cheaper than laptops, with prices typically ranging between $150 and $350.

History and Evolution

Laptop

In 1976, the Xerox PARC division developed the Xerox NoteTaker, considered the first portable computer. It never reached the market, as only 10 prototypes were built. In 1981, the Osborne 1 was launched as the first commercially available portable computer. About the size of a tabletop sewing machine, the Osborne did not have any battery power, running only on electricity instead, but it allowed computer users to work with a computer while on the go.

In the span of barely 3 years, portable computer models started flooding the market. In 1982, Kaypro introduced the Kaypro II, which featured double-sided floppy drives (twice the storage capacity) and a larger CRT monitor. The first true laptop, the GRiD Compass 1101, was arguably released that same year. In 1983, Compaq launched its Compaq Portable, while Epson introduced the HX-20.

Notebooks

By 1988, portable computers had become smaller, as demonstrated by the Cambridge Z88. Though this portable computer was 16 times more powerful than the Osborne 1, its total weight had been halved.

The first "notebook computers" — so called because the size of these devices was roughly the size of a paper notebook — were the 1988 NEC UltraLite and the Compaq LTE, launched in 1989. These designs were then joined by the IBM ThinkPad, featuring the first 10.4 inch screen on a notebook computer. While these early notebooks averaged a little over 6 pounds, lighter and more powerful "sub-notebooks" began making their mark in 1993 with the introduction of the Gateway Handbook and the Hewlett-Packard OmniBook. The 4.4 pound Apple PowerBook was eclipsed by the Sony VAIO in 1997, the latter weighing in at under 2.5 pounds. Microsoft's Tablet PC computers were smaller still, and in 2007, Asus introduced the Eee PC, reducing screen and keyboard size while retaining full computer usage capabilities.

Stats

Both laptop and notebook sales have declined as the sale of smartphones and tablets have risen. However, outside the U.S., notebook computers are showing a slight increase in sales as these units combine lower cost and broad functionality that can best address infrastructures in the midst of growth, such as in South America and Africa.

References

What is a laptop vs notebook?

A laptop and a notebook are both computers that can be used for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, writing emails, and watching videos. The main difference between them is size; laptops tend to be larger than notebooks. Also, unlike laptops, which usually have dedicated keyboards, notebooks often use touchpads with integrated buttons that are used both to navigate around applications and type text.

How do laptops differ from notebooks?

The most obvious difference between a laptop and a notebook is their size. Laptops are bigger than notebooks. Additionally, laptops tend to have more powerful hardware components than notebooks because they need to be able to support larger displays and more demanding applications. Finally, laptops usually have full-sized keyboards with dedicated keys for every function whereas notebooks generally have "touchpad" style keyboards with integrated buttons for typing or navigating around applications.

Are laptops better than notebooks?

This depends on your individual needs. If you plan on doing more intensive tasks like video or photo editing, then a laptop might be the better option due to its more powerful hardware components. However, if you only need something for basic tasks like web browsing or light office work then a notebook could suffice since it's smaller and more portable.

Is a laptop more expensive than a notebook?

Generally speaking, yes. Since laptops typically have larger screens and more powerful hardware, they tend to cost more than notebooks of similar specs. However, this isn't always the case since there are some great deals available depending on where you look so it's worth shopping around to find the right deal for your needs and budget.

Should I choose a laptop or notebook?

It really depends on what you want out of your device. If portability is important, then you should go with the lighter option (a notebook). But if power and performance matter more, then you should opt for a laptop instead as these tend to offer better specs and features than their smaller counterparts.

What types of tasks are best suited for each device?

Generally speaking, you can do most tasks on either device although certain activities may benefit from one over the other. For instance, high-end video or photo editing would likely require more resources so an appropriately equipped laptop would be the better choice here. Whereas basic tasks like web-browsing would run equally well on either device without requiring additional hardware or software upgrades.

Can I play games on both devices?

Yes, although they will likely perform differently depending on the game in question; while some older titles may run just fine without any issue on both devices newer ones may require more processing power so again it's worth considering how demanding the game is before making any purchases.

What type of display should I expect with either device?

This will depend on the model, but most laptops and notebooks usually come with a 1080p Full HD or higher resolution display, although lower-end models may offer 720p resolutions instead. Additionally, some devices even include touchscreens for easier navigation around applications too.

How long will my battery last on either device?

This varies hugely depending on factors such as usage intensity (e.g., playing games versus watching videos) as well as settings such as screen brightness or resolution etc., but generally speaking batteries can last anywhere from 4-12 hours depending on these details - so it's always worth checking before purchasing.

Is there anything else I should consider when choosing between devices?

Yes. Aside from pricing there are other considerations such as available ports (essential if connecting external peripherals) as well as build quality (as this affects durability) plus additional extras that come bundled with each model such as software packages etc., all of which could factor into your decision-making process at the end of day.

How much RAM do I need for either device?

4GB is the minimum requirement for basic tasks such as web browsing and office work, while 8GB is recommended if you plan on doing more intensive activities like video editing. Higher specs may offer performance boosts but it's worth noting that these additional gains will likely come with higher price tags too.

What kind of storage should I expect on either device?

This depends on your specific needs. Most laptops and notebooks will come with an internal hard drive or SSD (Solid State Drive). Both offer decent storage options although SSDs tend to have faster access times due to their lack of moving parts. However, if you're expecting to store larger files then external drives are also an option here.

Are there other features I should consider when choosing between devices?

Yes. Certain models may come with additional features such as backlit keyboards or facial recognition software which can add value depending on your individual needs and preferences. It's also worth looking at connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support as these can be essential for connecting to peripherals or streaming music and videos from online services.

What kind of software support should I expect?

Most laptops and notebooks come with pre-installed operating systems, such as Windows 10. Additionally, other productivity and creative software suites are also available. It's always worth checking if any additional applications come included with the purchase.

How do I know if a laptop or notebook is right for me?

Ultimately it comes down to the purpose you need the device for, as each type of laptop and notebook are designed with different performance capabilities and features in mind. For instance, laptops may be better suited towards general computing tasks since they will offer better portability, while notebooks may provide more power for intensive work such as 3D modelling or gaming. Consider your needs carefully before making a decision.

What are the benefits of having an up-to-date laptop or notebook?

It's important to keep your device up to date in order to benefit from any new features, security updates and bug fixes that come with the latest software versions. With an updated laptop or notebook, you can be sure you're getting the best performance out of your device.

What is the best way to protect my laptop or notebook?

It's important to take measures to protect your device, so it remains in top condition and can continue to perform at its best. Depending on the type of use and environment the laptop or notebook is exposed to, there are a number of precautions you can take such as using a protective cover or bag when transporting it, avoiding spills near the device, installing and updating anti-virus software and backing up your data regularly. Taking these steps will help ensure your laptop or notebook remains in good condition for longer.