What’s the difference between laptop and notebook?

So difference between laptop and notebook? Firstly, there are many different definitions of a mini laptop computer. (Also referred to as notebooks, subnotebooks or netbooks). Generally, the screen size of a mini laptop (the diagonal measurement across the screen) is between 6.4 inches and around 15 and weighing approximately 1kg (or a little more than a small bottle of coke). So there really is no difference between laptop and notebook, it’s simply different terminology.

Wikipedia defines a laptop computer as:

A laptop computer, also known as a notebook computer, is a small personal computer designed for mobile use. A laptop integrates all of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a trackpad, or a pointing stick) and a battery into a single portable unit. The rechargeable battery is charged from an AC/DC adapter and has enough capacity to power the laptop for several hours, enabling it to be used virtually anywhere.

Mini laptops take these ideas further still, creating a new market above handheld computers, smartphones and personal digital assistants. The primary characteristic of this is size and weight, which are pretty similar to the average diary, as well as costing less than a standard laptop with prices starting at around £150, an excellent solution during the credit crunch!

New mini laptops are expected to sell in the region of 5.2 million units by the end of 2008, 8 million during 2009 and up to 50 million by 2012 – a ten fold growth. Industry analysts are torn whether or not subnotebooks will cannibalize the laptop market, some suggesting that a mere 10% market share will be taken. However, in this economic downturn, people will always look for cheaper products and with mini laptops available from £150-200, perhaps there is a big market after all.

So is it game over for the standard laptop and pc? Unlikely; whilst mini laptops can perform dozens of tasks to identical or similar standard of larger computers, they will (for the time being) be limited by battery size, processing power and storage space. Furthermore, when using a computer over a prolonged period of time, it would make sense to use a bigger screen and a faster processor of a desktop replacement laptop or a PC, particularly for demanding programs’ such as games. And finally, similarly priced but laptops, of varying quality, are available for around £200-300 leading some industry analysts to believe that the consumer focus will be on functionality and not merely size and weight.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, mobile phone manufacturers and operators are looking to make inroads into the mini laptop market, saving them from one of their worst trading periods in history. Korean giant, LG are looking to enter the fray with the high spec LG Netbook X110 hitting the shelves at £300 each in time for Christmas. Other mobile phone operators and retailers are also looking to buy into the emerging market including 3 and the Carphone Warehouse. Samsung are also developing a 10.2” mini laptop, although the specs remain “top-secret”. Still, it’s rumoured to have plenty of hard drive space and memory as well as 6 hours of battery, far better than existing netbooks. Return to homepage