Laptop or Notebook, what's the difference?

Legacy_user

As my PC which runs windows '98 is about 5/6 yrs old and is currently giving me loadsa grief, I am considering replacing the tower or alternativly buying a laptop, but I see adverts where they are referred to as notebooks. So in easy terms, what is the difference ?

If I do go along the laptop route, I don't think I would not need to move the machine round the house, it would remain in the lounge.

Usage ?, I generally surf /word process /photo's. No games/accounts etc.

Budget ? lower end if possible, but it must be reliable.

Source ?, I'm always reluctant to consider Curry/Dixons/PC World simply because of returning it for repairs, should the need arise. Yet, contradicting myself, I seem to fancy Aldi / Woolworths. No doubt this WILL be an interesting reply. Thanks in anticipation.

A-Wing

The reason they call them notebooks now is they tend to run a little hot, and it has been known for men to burn certain parts of their anatomy with current models, they don't recommend use on your lap anymore

If you are using it for those uses, the cheapest models will do you fine. I personally find people tend to find Apple iBooks easier to use if they can afford them (around £700).

Don't buy from DSG (PC World, Dixons, Currys), their repairs service for laptops is terrible, they did more damage to one of our laptops than they fixed last time we had one repaired.

There is an online shop called laptops direct which have great prices and seem to have good service too.

I personally would choose a brand with a good support system behind it. IBM for example, their laptops may not look too pretty but they are quite strong and very reliable. I haven't had any complaints from HP either. Again if you can afford it I haven't had any problems with any of our Apple MacBooks / iBooks.

Hillfly

I thought it was just a Uk Amercian thing? Laptops Uk, Notebooks US.

brownfrog

I thought it was a size thing, with notebooks being smaller than laptops.

Hillfly

Mine's definitely a laptop then!:rotfl: :eek: :rotfl:

A-Wing

Definitions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notebook_computer

BillScarab

If you're not planning on moving it around why buy a laptop/notebook ? Genrally they are more expensive than an equivalent spec desktop/tower and they are more expensive to upgrade. If you find yourself running out of disc space it's a lot easier to pop a new HD into a tower than a laptop.

If you want something small there are plenty of small format PCs around, have a look at Shuttle PC cases for instance.

System

Ok, thanks for that info. Until recently, my PC has always been upstairs, but when I went to talktalk, they tried to tell me that I was having conncetion problems because the cable from the BT box was too long and they wouldn't consider doing any testing or offering assistance untill the machine was connected directly at source and have no joins. Once we'd overcome that problem, I have been allowed to keep it in the lounge, however I'm conscious that along with the printer/scanner/ tower etc, it's a space that could be put to better use, hence the consideration for the laptop.

I did forget to say that this system was bought from an independent company that sell and repair on site and has been in operation for many years in two towns. It would make sense I suppose to replace the tower, but have it put together to specifications that would best suit my needs, ie no games etc. I wouldn't need to replace the monitor as this has been replaced by a flat one and the mouse also has gone cordless.

I'll give it thought and let you know the decision.

Mrs_pbradley936

The explanation I got from Dell at least a couple of years ago now is that they are both portable but that one is much lighter in weight than the other. So in your case you would not mind a slightly heavier (and cheaper) one because you would not be constantly moving it around. BUT if you were travelling around with it, getting on planes, trains and forever putting it away and taking it out again you would want a much lighter one. The lighter they are the more they cost.

I replaced my desktop with a laptop and have never regretted it. You have far few wires and everything is neat and tidy which if it was going in my sitting room would be a bonus. Also I have always been very pleased with Dell and am now on my third computer with them one desktop and two laptops/notebooks.

Mrs_pbradley936

While you are at it get one with that will let you go wireless.

System

Yes, I had wondered about wireless. Although at this stage my intention is to keep in in the lounge, I suppose I ought to keep an open mind and yes, choose one that at least gives a wireless option. My days of trains/planes etc are a memory now, so again yes, the weightier model would be suitable.

A headache now means I reluctantly must shut down and will take another look at options later this evening, thanks again.