When purchasing a portable computing device, the issue of whether to purchase a typical laptop or a notebook may naturally arise.
To make the best option, you must first understand the differences between a laptop and a notebook.
There is much confusion out there regarding the difference between laptops and notebooks. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but there is a significant distinction between the two. This article will closely examine them in more detail to help you make an informed decision.
What Is The Difference Between A Notebook And A Laptop?
The most apparent distinction is size; notebooks are smaller and lighter than laptops, they weigh less than 5 pounds. This makes them more portable, and they’re often a better option for travelers who need their computer on the road or in temporary places such as planes.
Laptops typically have more features than notebooks, including higher processing power, more storage, RAM, and better graphics capabilities. However, notebooks tend to be cheaper than laptops.
Laptops typically have a larger screen than notebooks, making them better suited for tasks like gaming and graphic design. Laptops are better for working on multiple documents simultaneously, while notebooks are more suited to lighter projects.
What Is A Notebook?
A notebook, also called a netbook, is a tiny, lightweight, low-powered portable personal laptop with a reduced feature set.
It has a smaller screen, fewer ports, a lower price tag than a laptop, and has a clamshell design. A notebook also usually lacks a CD/DVD drive and Ethernet port.
Some people might also describe ultraportable laptops as notebooks. They typically weigh less than five pounds (2.3 kg).
Pros Of Notebooks
- Perfect for on-the-go jobs
- Longer battery life
Cons
- Small resolution
What Is A Laptop?
A laptop is a portable computer that typically has an LCD screen, built-in keyboard, and mouse.
Laptops are heavier than notebooks and tend to have larger screens. The term laptop is sometimes used to describe a small desktop computer light enough to be carried around.
The keyboard and trackpad are usually protected by a unique cover when the laptop is not used.
Laptops usually have a built-in webcam, microphone, and speakers. Laptops are powered by mains electricity via an AC adapter or battery.
Pros of laptops
- High resolution
- More RAM
- Faster processing speed
- Handles large tasks, and you can multitask
Cons
- You can’t use it on the go; it has less battery life.
Critical Differences Between Notebooks And Laptops
Main Manufacturers
The leading manufacturers of notebooks are Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.
A broader range makes laptops of companies, including Apple, Asus, Acer, Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Alienware, Toshiba, Microsoft, Dell, and MSI.
Weight
The size and weight of laptops vary, but they are generally larger and heavier than notebooks.
A laptop typically weighs 3 to 12 pounds and is 1.5 to 2 inches thick (varies by model), but a notebook is significantly lighter, weighing less than 5 pounds and having a thickness of 0.5 to 1 inch.
It’s all about the scale. A pound of extra weight in a laptop or notebook may not seem like much, but you’ll notice the difference after balancing it on your lap or carrying it about in a briefcase.
Unfortunately, weight and price are frequently inversely proportionate. Heavier models are less expensive, whereas slimmer variants are more expensive.
Display Size
A laptop always has a larger screen size than a notebook. A laptop’s screen is typically between 13 and 17 inches, while a notebook’s screen is less than 12 inches. They can also be plugged into an external monitor for even more screen space.
The most common size for laptops is 13 inches, while the most common size for notebooks is 11 inches.
Resolution
Laptop screens usually have a higher resolution than notebook screens because laptops are designed for multimedia and gaming, while notebooks are not.
Laptops usually have a resolution of 1920×1080, while notebooks usually have a resolution of 1366×768.
The highest resolution on laptops is 4k, which suits most gamers.
Functionality
Laptops are larger and more potent than notebooks. They usually have a screen size of 13 inches or more, making them better for watching movies or working on projects.
They also have a built-in keyboard, making them more versatile for typing out more extended pieces of text.
On the other hand, notebooks are smaller and less powerful than laptops. Their screens typically range from 10 to 12 inches in size, making them more portable, and they are often used when traveling.
Notebooks are designed for lighter use, such as checking emails or browsing the internet. Laptops are larger and heavier but offer more features and performance than notebooks. They are generally used for more intensive gaming or graphic design tasks.
RAM and Processing Power
There is a big difference between a notebook and a laptop regarding RAM and processing power. A laptop has many more of these, so they are more expensive.
Laptops usually have between 2GB to 16GB of RAM are more powerful and have faster processing capability than their counterpart.
On the other hand, notebooks are meant for lighter uses; thus, their RAM is significantly less, ranging from 1 to 4GB (although 4GB is also very rare).
Cooling systems
One of the distinguishable differences between laptops and notebooks is that laptops have cooling systems, while notebooks don’t.
Laptops have a cooling fan inside that helps to keep the device cool by blowing air over the heat sink and CPU.
You’ll often see air vents on the sides or bottom of a laptop. It’s also why laptops tend to run a little hotter and noisier than notebooks.
DVD- DRIVES and other Accessories
While laptops have CD/DVD drives, notebooks do not. Although the need for CD/DVDs has dramatically reduced because of the rise and use of broadband WIFI.
Notebooks will have either 1 or 2 ports, while laptops will have twice as much between 2 and 4 ports.
Storage Space
Storage space will depend on the type of storage. There are two main types of computer storage devices: solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs).
Both disk drives have pros and cons, and it can be hard to decide which one to choose for your needs.
SSDs are newer than HDDs, and they use microchips instead of spinning disks; this makes them faster, quieter, and more durable.
They also use less power, making them great for laptops and mobile devices. However, SSDs are more expensive than HDDs, and they have a lower storage capacity.
SSDs have no moving parts so that data can be accessed quickly, making them ideal for booting up your computer and loading applications.
The average notebook has a hard drive of around 512 GB, with some models now having SSDs with capacities of up to 1 TB.
Most laptops also come with SSD with up to 1TB nowadays, but you can expect less storage. The most expensive ones come with HDD and more storage capabilities.
Meanwhile, notebooks nearly invariably come with SSD storage because of their compact size. Notebooks with SSDs benefit speed, weight, durability, and energy usage.
Battery Life
In this category, notebooks win over laptops. Notebooks have a more significant battery life than laptops. Typical notebooks will last you 5-14 hours while a laptop only 4,6 -10hours.
Battery lie will also depend on what you’re doing on the computer, but notebooks outdo laptops in this category because of the SSD disk drives.
Cost
The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the specific needs of the individual.
Laptops are generally more expensive than notebooks, but they offer more features and tend to be more robust; for people who need to do a lot of work while on the go, a laptop is the best option.
A typical laptop will cost you $ 500. Of course, if you’re looking for a more powerful option, you’ll spend between $100–$2500.
Notebooks are cheaper than laptops, and they are smaller and lighter. A typical notebook will cost you $ 150-$400 only. There are higher-priced options that can cost up to $800.
What Are The Similarities Between Laptops And Notebooks?
- They are both lightweight
- They are both portable and easy to carry
- Both are easy to use
Conclusion
A notebook will be perfect if you require a computer for essential use. You will want to go with a laptop if you need something that will be more powerful and handle more intense tasks, you will want to go with a laptop.
Notebooks are designed for portability, while laptops are better for multitasking and entertainment. Laptops typically have more RAM and faster processors than notebooks.
In addition, if you’re looking for a computer that you can take with you on the go, a notebook is the best option. They are the perfect choice for people who often travel for work.
