What is the difference between a Laptop and a Notebook?
What is a Notebook computer?
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If you’re shopping for a new portable device, you’ve probably asked yourself what is the difference between a laptop and a notebook? These terms are frequently used interchangeably and it can be confusing to tell them apart. In fact, the definition of what a notebook is can be a bit nebulous.
So what is the difference between a laptop and a notebook, if any? Read below to find out.
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Notebook vs Laptop
The first thing to acknowledge is that there isn’t really a strict, technical definition for ‘notebook’, but it’s generally used to describe laptops that are 14-15 inches, thin-medium in thickness, fairly light, and typically used for general use studying/office work/creative purposes, rather than gaming or anything heavy duty (although the term gaming notebook is occasionally used to denote a thinner, more portable gaming laptop).
A laptop is the catch-all term for pretty much everything that comes in the traditional laptop form-factor (a hinged display with a fixed keyboard that can be opened or closed) – notebooks fall within this umbrella. As a result: all notebooks are laptops, but not all laptops are notebooks.
Notebook vs Ultrabook
The other term you may have seen knocking about is Ultrabook. Ultrabooks are basically Notebooks but more so – they tend to be smaller (13-inch to 14-inches in size) lighter and thinner, but nevertheless come with good battery life – perfectly designed to be portable working machines. As a result of their ultrathin nature, ultrabooks usually cost a premium.
What is the difference between a Laptop and a Notebook ? Final Word
We trust this has helped answer the question What is the difference between a Laptop and a Notebook? for you, and you now feel that bit more enlightened as to the mysterious ways of the laptop market. Whilst you’re here, do have a cheeky look at our various other laptop and gaming laptop guides in the top menu of the site, particularly if you’re looking for a device in a particular price range.
Laptop vs Notebook FAQs
Is a notebook and a laptop the same thing?
A notebook is a loose categorization of laptops that are relatively thin and portable, typically of 14″ or 15″ size, targeted towards general/office use, studying or non-demanding creative workflows.
Laptops that don’t meet this description aren’t notebooks.
Is a notebook the same as a Chromebook?
Notebooks can either be Windows laptops, MacBooks, or use Chrome OS.
In the case of the latter these are Chromebooks.
Most Chromebooks could either be described as notebooks or ultrabooks (for the particularly lightweight variants).
