what is the difference?

mardatha

What is the difference between a laptop, a tablet, & a notebook ?
I was looking at this - link below - but not sure if does everything I need in forums and chatrooms, ie java etc. I have a Lenovo Ideapad but am not mad on it and want to replace. Thanks in advance
http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_1,cos_1.2,cos_1.2.2/154631?.rand=84osf8dfdjovr&itemAddedToBasket=true&basketPageLabel=basket

macman

Laptop and notebook are essentially identical terms-a notebook tends to indicate a more compact laptop-maybe less than 15".
If you meant a netbook, that's a small laptop without an optical drive, maybe a 10 or 11" screen.
The OS on any of the above will be Windows, Linux, or Mac OSX. Connect by ethernet, wi-fi or (some) 3G.
A tablet lacks a physical keyboard, optical drive or hard drive. It relies on a sold state drive and a virtual keyboard. It will run (99%) on Mac iOS or Android. Mostly between 7 and 10" screens. Connects via wi-fi (all ) or 3G (some).
Those are the main differences.

vuvuzela

macman wrote: »

Laptop and notebook are essentially identical terms-a notebook tends to indicate a more compact laptop-maybe less than 15".
If you meant a netbook, that's a small laptop without an optical drive, maybe a 10 or 11" screen.
The OS on any of the above will be Windows, Linux, or Mac OSX. Connect by ethernet, wi-fi or (some) 3G.
A tablet lacks a physical keyboard, optical drive or hard drive. It relies on a sold state drive and a virtual keyboard. It will run (99%) on Mac iOS or Android. Mostly between 7 and 10" screens. Connects via wi-fi (all ) or 3G (some).
Those are the main differences.

Good post. The only point I'd disagree with is the difference between a notebook and a laptop. They've pretty much been used interchangably for many years now - perhaps the term notebook has become more widely used as it sounds a bit more 'modern' than the slightly old-fashioned 'laptop'.

vuvuzela

mardatha wrote: »

What is the difference between a laptop, a tablet, & a notebook ?
I was looking at this - link below - but not sure if does everything I need in forums and chatrooms, ie java etc. I have a Lenovo Ideapad but am not mad on it and want to replace. Thanks in advance
http://www.costco.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/cos_1,cos_1.2,cos_1.2.2/154631?.rand=84osf8dfdjovr&itemAddedToBasket=true&basketPageLabel=basket

That particular one is a pretty decent spec lower-end machine that will do everything you want in terms of Internet usage. If I needed one for genreal office work, it would be on my shortlist I suspect.

macman

vuvuzela wrote: »

Good post. The only point I'd disagree with is the difference between a notebook and a laptop. They've pretty much been used interchangably for many years now - perhaps the term notebook has become more widely used as it sounds a bit more 'modern' than the slightly old-fashioned 'laptop'.

I said that because I don't think I've ever seen a 17" laptop described as a 'notebook'. Otherwise the two terms effectively mean the same thing.
I suspect that the OP was referring to a netbook anyway.

vuvuzela

macman wrote: »

I said that because I don't think I've ever seen a 17" laptop described as a 'notebook'. Otherwise the two terms effectively mean the same thing.
I suspect that the OP was referring to a netbook anyway.

You may well be right about the 'netbook' thing.
Many companies now sell 'notebooks' that are the entire range of sizes, eg Samsung http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/pc-peripherals/notebook-computers/high-performance/NP550P7C-S02UK

mardatha

That's very clear, thank you. I'm wary because I'm in audio classrooms and chats - and I know some people have probs getting in. Maybe they're on tablets or phones. TY techies :beer:

vuvuzela

mardatha wrote: »

That's very clear, thank you. I'm wary because I'm in audio classrooms and chats - and I know some people have probs getting in. Maybe they're on tablets or phones. TY techies :beer:

Possibly, or maybe they have old versions of software, eg Flash or Java. Keeping things up-to-date is half the battle

mardatha

OK thanks One more question ... this Asus doesn't have Bluetooth. Will that matter? I use it now to transfer pics from the phone... is there another way that can be done?

Lifeforms

Depends on the capabilities BUT you can always buy a blootooth USB dongle pretty cheaply anyway. Therefore if your new purchase doesn't have bluetooth, you can get something to give it. But you will find there will be other ways to transfer over, commonly usb (and perhaps mobile phone software) or if it's a card enabled phone (micro sd etc) then if pictures are stored on that, via usb and using it as a drive, or even the card in a reader via usb.

Best way to decide regarding suitability is to ask in the chat rooms. Ask if anyone connects on a tablet, and if so what do they use. Flash is available (convoluted process sometimes) on an android tablet, but it's not supported any more. Flash is simply not available on iOS (ipads) There are ways of getting around with apps, if an app is available for your chat sites for example, or on forums you can use TapTalk (aside this one, hah!) as long as it's enabled to make life on a tablet/phone easier.

Typing on a tablet is not the most comfortable, but you can always go down the route of buying a wireless keyboard for it.

There are also a combo of tablet and computer/laptop. Basically works as a laptop with a physically attached keyboard, but in addition to that it's got a detachable screen which then becomes a tablet out and about. HP do them, Dell do them, others do them, usually windoze software so basically if you need anything with flash or java which you can't get on a current stand alone tablet, would work on this.

Microsoft also do tablets which run on windoze software and may (i say may as i have no idea) allow flash/java to run like it would on a laptop.

mardatha

I have problems. I'm female, and I'm old. I have a mobile that's 13 yrs old and I know how to use it. Anything with a keyboard makes my brain hurt. I just want to sit here in my chair and teach/join in audio classes and chatrooms. I think I'll just get the laptop. Anything else feels like venturing up the Amazon in the wet season. TY so much for all help