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[screaminchickensrule]

I know this isn't motorcycle related but my wife wants a laptop computer for X-mas...  So my question is what is the difference between a laptop and a notebook...  All we need is a computer that allows us to get online and surf the web and stores alot of pictures, other than that we don't use our computer for much...  Does anyone know of any good deals or does anyone have a good used laptop they would like to sell?
Thanks in advance...

PS I'm not a computer guy so take it easy on me please.

[LRebel]

Hey, I'm not a computer geek either... but own about a dozen computer (business & home).

As far as I know, there is no difference between a laptop and a notebook computer... samething - just different names.

This is just my opinion.... for what you described, I wouldn't get too carried away with all the bells & whistles.  A basic computer will get you on the internet and as far as I know even the most basic new computer has a hard-drive big enough to handle all the pictures you will want to save.

Again, my opinion... for laptop computers, I like HP and Dell.  I own both and both are very good computers.  I suggest, if possible, that you try to buy a computer with the Windows XP operating system rather than Vista.  IMO, XP is more user friendly.

[sadunbar]

Laptops are larger than notebooks...  I use a laptop at home and a notebook at work.  The reason for the notebook at work is travel - it is lighter and easier to carry.  At work, I plug the notebook into a docking station - so I can use a large monitor and full size keyboard.  I have a HP at work and a Toshiba at home.  I like them both equally well - although the Toshiba does have a better screen...

[RedDevil]

For the most part Laptops are generally bigger in size then a notebook and are also sometimes referred to as desktop replacements.  They usually have all the whistles and bells and everything is built into the computer, such as DVD ROM drive, card readers, etc.  Notebooks tend to be the smaller, lighter computers that don't come with the DVD installed, but rather it's an external device that you plug in.  Notebooks won't have the 17" drive-in movie screens on them and normally will have slower processors because they don't use as much power and thus will have longer battery life then laptops.  Notebooks are more favored by frequent travellers because they are lighter and last longer on battery during flights.  But that's basically the difference between a laptop and notebook, size and functions.  Hope this helps.

  

[MontyB]

There's no difference.  People/companies just call them different names for any portable computer.

[RedDevil]

Did a google search:  "Laptop vs Notebook".  Came up with this:

http://www.whitecapcomputer.com/newsletter/articles/notebook_vs_laptop.htm

and

http://www.homeofficebuddy.com/officecomputer/diff-notebook-laptop.shtml

[Jock]

And there you have it...

 

[sportygordy]

I use an HP Pavilion TX 1420. Has a 10-in touch screen, great for photo editing and fantastic for travel. Fits in my saddle bag with lots of spare space left. Oh, the screen rotates 180 degrees and folds flat so you can use for a note pad if you wish. Picked it up at Sam's Club for less then $900. HP recently came out with an 8 inch model but to small for my preference.

[Dan_Lockwood]

I bought a new laptop a couple months ago, a HP Pavilion dv7z series 17" unit.

They call this series their desktop replacement or entrainment laptop.  It has a full keyboard with a separate 10-key pad for all the numbers etc on the right, just like a real desktop keyboard.

I've seen a lot of the new notebook PC's around work and traveling etc, but I travel so infrequently now that this 17" will still do great for me.  The problem with the new notebooks is that they cost as much as the regular laptops.

Anyway, with Blu-Ray/dual layer DVD burner with LightScribe, built in Wi-Fi a,b,g,n, 4gb ram/320gig hd, full keyboard, 4 USB ports, HDMI 1.3a port out, 7 type card reader, high end video standalone card for gaming performance graphics etc, this thing does it all, but at about $1,250.00.

I've hooked it up to stream a TV show I missed and plugged the HDMI cord into my 73" big screen and watched in great resolution.  I've also hooked up for some gaming on the big screen and all I can say is WOW, what a thrill.  I recently purchase a RealFlight G4 RC system from Stingboy and hooked it up to the big screen.  Being an old timer from the old RC plane flying days, this new system is just like flying the real RC plane, only when I crash all I have to do is hit the Reset button and go at it again.

Just slap me.... I'm rambling again.      

Back to the laptop/notebook question.  It all depends on what you want to do and how often you have to lug this thing around in your shoulder bag.  Believe me just a few pounds makes a big difference when you're walking through O'Hare, Detroit etc.  At that time you'll be glad you've got a 3 pounder instead of the 17" 7 to 10 pounders.

Also, I've had lots of issues with older laptops and the add-on Wi-Fi adapter cards, like Belkin etc.  I have to roam the hotels for hot spots, but with the newer laptops with built in Wi-Fi, they seem to be a lot better at connecting.  I've taken hours to reply to just a few emails connected to my desktop at work.  I'd type a few words and the words wouldn't appear on the screw for maybe 5 to 10 seconds.  Making corrections in emails were just way to frustrating after spending 12 to 14 hours at a plant, then come to the room and spend 3 to 4 hours doing work emails and answering customer emails.

Now just shoot me...    I'm really going to shut up now.

    

[Buffy]

For the most part Laptops are generally bigger in size then a notebook and are also sometimes referred to as desktop replacements.  They usually have all the whistles and bells and everything is built into the computer, such as DVD ROM drive, card readers, etc.  Notebooks tend to be the smaller, lighter computers that don't come with the DVD installed, but rather it's an external device that you plug in.  Notebooks won't have the 17" drive-in movie screens on them and normally will have slower processors because they don't use as much power and thus will have longer battery life then laptops.  Notebooks are more favored by frequent travellers because they are lighter and last longer on battery during flights.  But that's basically the difference between a laptop and notebook, size and functions.  Hope this helps.

  

Nice description, I agree.........

[Hugh Janis]

Nice description, I agree.........

Yup. 

I won't complicate this discussion by introducing a Tablet PC as an option.

[grandpadoc]

You will pay a couple hundred more but make sure you get the centrino cpu with the XP os.  Doc

[SPIDERMAN]

OK, here we go off topic (a spiderman first ) but related.

Does anyone know of a cell phone that you can use as an aircard for a laptop via a USB cord or something similar. Since being retired I miss my aircard, but it's $60/month and I was wondering if there's a way to do the same thing with a regular cell.

B B

[sportygordy]

OK, here we go off topic (a spiderman first ) but related.

Does anyone know of a cell phone that you can use as an aircard for a laptop via a USB cord or something similar. Since being retired I miss my aircard, but it's $60/month and I was wondering if there's a way to do the same thing with a regular cell.

B B

I use my Palm Treo with the special cord to link to my laptop. The Treo acts as an aircard. Not to bad for checking and exchanging emails not to good for browsing.

[SPIDERMAN]

I use my Palm Treo with the special cord to link to my laptop. The Treo acts as an aircard. Not to bad for checking and exchanging emails not to good for browsing.

So even if it works, it' burns up minutes ? 

The Verizon Aircard is $60/month for unlimited access.

Maybe I'll drop my high speed landline connection and just go with an aircard.

Thanks for the info

B B