Netbook/Laptop - whats the difference

scottishminnie

I'm used to having a laptop at work and the idea of having a small one which I could take on holiday appeals to me.

Warning - I'm technically challenged so if the following questions are really dumb I apologise - I'm also blonde so they may be twice as dumb.

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

If I bought a notebook could I link it (what I really mean is could I pay someone else to do it) to my current pc (normal base unit and monitor)?


If I bought one and linked it to my own pc how would I then get access -is it as simple as plugging into connections in hotel rooms or being in a Wireless Free area?

I have MS Office and AVG on my home pc - if they are linked do I need to put them on the netbook also? Can I use the same ones?

To use a UK laptop in US do I simply need an electrical adapter - nothing else?

I saw an Acer one in John Lewis for about £250 and I thought it looked ok, I don't really want to spend much more than that (and it came in nice shiny colours)

Sorry - many questions!

Thanks

totalsolutions

Hi, search these forums and your questions will be answered.
Read reviews in PcPro mag. or online
Read up on the Samsung NC series of Netbooks
https://www.sammynetbook.com is also a good place to research.
I have an NC 20 and has followed me to Australia.

DCFC79

A laptop has a cd/dvd drive, more heavier, maybe more memory
A netbook tends to not have a cd/dvd drive, lighter, small amount of memory and maybe the battery life is better

Billy-no-Money

What's the difference between a laptop and a notebook?
I take it you mean laptop vs netbook? (laptop/notebook mean pretty much the same thing)
A netbook is just a kind of laptop, but with a smaller screen, no DVD drive, and usually an Intel Atom processor. Aimed at portability at an affordable price.

If I bought a notebook could I link it (what I really mean is could I pay someone else to do it) to my current pc (normal base unit and monitor)?
Not sure what you mean, especially looking at the questions which follow. The netbook is a PC in its own right - you could connect them over a network (usually wireless) and share files/printers etc.
Your questions make me think you want to access your own PC remotely - which is possible with the right software (e.g. GotoMyPC) but is that really what you need?

If I bought one and linked it to my own pc how would I then get access -is it as simple as plugging into connections in hotel rooms or being in a Wireless Free area?
See above - are you planning to access your PC remotely?

I have MS Office and AVG on my home pc - if they are linked do I need to put them on the netbook also? Can I use the same ones?
The netbook is a PC in its own right so you will need to install a copy on it. AVG is free, so just download another copy.
Most versions of MS Office allow you to install a copy of 2 or 3 PCs - check the licence.
If you're just using it to access your own PC remotely then you don't need to install Office, but you will need AVG.

To use a UK laptop in US do I simply need an electrical adapter - nothing else?
Usually yes - most power adaptors automatically switch between 240/110 volts. But check!

I saw an Acer one in John Lewis for about £250 and I thought it looked ok, I don't really want to spend much more than that (and it came in nice shiny colours)
For that money you'll get something like a Samsung NC10 - beware of the really cheap ones, they're likely to run Linux instead of Windows XP. I'm not saying one's better than the other, but you're more likely to be able to get XP working if you're not technical.

HTH

scottishminnie

Thanks- that helps - I did mean a netbook not a notebook!

Actually the more I think logically perhaps it doesn't need to be linked to my home pc at all. I can access my emails (2 of) by simply keying in a URL and then logging in and all I really need when I'm on holiday is Internet and Email acess so that would do. I'm just tired of having to hang around in business centres in hotels waiting for some kid to vacate the pc so I can use it. I'm really not likely to use it for much more than that so perhaps a stand alone netbook is the answer.

I have some colleagues who are more up on this than I am so I'll get them to help on the choice of model - I know it's not the best way to choose but at the moment I can't see past the fancy shiny coloured ones!

Leopard

Don't worry about the nomenclature; they're ridiculous titles.

To me, a 10" clamshell mobile computer is most aptly described as a "notebook". Mine, housed in a leather casing, looks like a large Filofax.

A 13" to "15" clamshell mobile computer that one can perch on one's thighs when seated is worthy of the title of "laptop".

And a 17" to 20" clamshell mobile computer is best described as a "luggable".

From how you describe your needs, a 10" clamshell mobile computer - whatever they want to call it - sounds fine for your requirements.

But don't ask me how to sort things out in Windows: I don't do Windows.

A simple plug adaptor (or even a locally-purchased lead that plugs into its charger) should be just fine if you want to take it to America - but, as Billy-no-Money cautions wisely, check before connecting it to mains electricity. The supported voltages, amperages and frequencies will be written on the charger itself.

Surfing_spaniel

scottishminnie wrote: »

I know it's not the best way to choose but at the moment I can't see past the fancy shiny coloured ones!

I've got an NC10 Samsung netbook in a gorgeous pink, brilliant battery life on it & all the reviews are brilliant for it. Only problem for me was it came in a terrible black slipcase & I was forced to spend weeks searching for a suitable girly bag to keep it in

scottishminnie

One more question - if I don't link it to my home pc in some way when I want to access the Internet how does the netbook know who my Internet Service Provider is? I already pay BT for broadband access and I don't really want to pay anyone else for a second access.

busenbust

totalsolutions wrote: »

Hi, search these forums and your questions will be answered.
Read reviews in PcPro mag. or online
Read up on the Samsung NC series of Netbooks
www.sammynetbook.com is also a good place to research.
I have an NC 20 and has followed me to Australia.

That's a nice and useful site

totalsolutions

You can link it to your home PC or not, it's up to you...(called Networking)
Netbook does not need to know your ISP.....
I have BT BB. I have too many PC's, Ipod iTouch, moblie phones (PDA) laptops, netbooks, Home Server, Sony PS3 and BT Home TV all on that BT connection and pay one monthly charge.
Connect wirelessly (BT Home Hub), give it the passkey (from the bottom of the router) and oft you go.
BT have a "wi-fi share feature" allowing you free access at BT hot spots when you are out and about, you need to opt in to this first. Starbucks (and others) will give you free access as well as pubs and stations and friends internet.

Leopard

Whatever you decide to buy, make sure that the battery it comes with has (at least) 6 cells. Read this thread.

A 3-cell battery gives woefully short uptime between charges.