Help I want to buy a Laptop or should it be a Notebook?

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:17

Hi can any body who is up on these things advise please? I need to get a new computer & thought I would go mobile, firstly what is the difference between a laptop & a notebook?

What minimum spec should I look for I do not want to download movies, watch TV or anything like that I just want to surf the internet, speak on Skype using Webcam, do spreadsheets, word docs & e-mail.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:22

The Notebook Computer

A standard notebook has the following features:



1. Ultralight. Less weight is better.



2. 4 - 5 hour battery life.



3. No internal floppy drive.



4. Minimal graphics subsystem.



5. No internal DVD or CD system.



6. 12" - 14" TFT screen.



7. Low profile (thin).



8. Integrated modem and network connection.



9. Smallest possible keyboard that retains functionality.



10. Low power consumption Celeron/Centrino or Sempron style processor.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:23

The Laptop Computer

Now for the laptop computer. Again look at the name. A laptop is designed to sit on your lap and you can therefore expect it to be quite large and loaded down with features and power. The



The standard laptop computer would have some ,if not all, of the following features:



1. 14" - 17" (widescreen) TFT screen.



2. Nvidia GeForce or ATI Radeon graphics subsystem.



3. Internal DVD-ROM or DVD-RW drive



4. Large full featured keyboard.



5. 3 hour+ battery life.



6. Upgradeable.



7. Integrated modem, network, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.



8. High quality integrate audio and speaker system.



9. Low power consumption, high performance Intel Centrino style processor.

catalkoykid


Joined: 15/02/2009
Posts: 1190

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:24

From reading the above information you'll see that the notebook is the exact opposite of the laptop. Notebooks offer reasonable power and extreme portability. Laptops are designed to be capable of replacing an entire desktop PC if necessary whilst still offering desktop performance in a mobile platform. Hopefully this article has helped clear up the differences between both classes of portable computers. As time and technology moves on the line between laptop and notebook will continue to blur but for right now it's still clearly defined and driven by the demands of the portable computer market

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:27

a laptop is bigger in every way keyboard screen etc. and more likely to have more programs, a note book ( or do you mean net book)is smaller and best for people who only want to check emails, surf the web etc there meant to be used for lots of use, if your planning on using the PC for work with laptop if its just for personal surfing etc you should be able to get away with the note/netbook just do a search compare x with x and see what the net says based on what your looking for

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:32

RE msg 1, Ozankoys: For your own good: consider a Macintosh PowerBook or iBook also. More expensive, but the best computing you can get. http://www.apple.com

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 09:37

If it is for home use then invest in a laptop. Only if you travel a lot should you consider the netbook as an option.



We have both, the laptop stays at home and we use the netbook on our frequent visits to the UK and elsewhere.



Paul

AllyTT


Joined: 13/09/2008
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 12:14

Dutch - the iBook and PowerBook were discontinued back in 2006 and replaced by the Macbook and Macbook Pro. More expensive than most, but worth every penny and more..

DutchCrusader



Joined: 19/05/2008
Posts: 11281

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 12:37

RE msg 8, AllyTT: Stupid me! You're right of course.

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
22/09/2010 12:42

Hi thanks for all your helpful input it's definitely a laptop then! Think the Apple will be out of my price range but if I buy in UK how much do you think I should spend to get something robust some of the ones I have seen are very light & tinny it is difficult ordering from the internet without actually seeing things.