Find out whether a laptop or a notebook is a better buy for you
Source: HP
Although you may see the terms “laptop” and “notebook” commonly used interchangeably amongst individuals who are not seasoned tech professionals, these two devices differ when it comes to functionality, but are actually quite similar when it comes to size. With modern-day advances in technology, the power integrated into a compact laptop becomes greater. The capacity of a notebook is also expanding as we move into a new decade.
Deciding which is better, depends on your needs. While a laptop can offer more storage and processing power to complete business projects or to complement heavy-duty gamers, a notebook can offer lightweight portability for students or personal use.
Size and weight
Source: HP
Typically, a laptop’s design is larger than a notebook and can support a screen display of above 15 inches. This is great for individuals who use their screens to perform tasks such as sharing ideas, editing media, or gaming. A larger laptop also means a larger keyboard, which makes typing easier. Because notebooks are generally smaller, their keyboards tend to be more compact. However, with that said, you can still find notebooks that are quite large as well. This emphasizes that although the two typically differ, they are becoming a lot more similar and the titles are becoming interchangeable amongst the two devices, according to a related post from HP
Powerful notebook
HP Elite Dragonfly Notebook
Lightweight and powerful notebook
This 2.2-pound notebook features 16 gigabits of RAM and an 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, much like a laptop.
Functionality
Source: HP
Sleek laptop
HP Spectre x360 Laptop 13t
Sleek laptop with powerful processor
This laptop is only 0.67-inches thick and weighs 2.88 pounds. It comes equipped with a 10th Generation Intel Core i5 processor.
You can customize both a notebook and a laptop to give you access to features that are higher quality and more power-intensive. This may not have been the case in the past; however, as technology advances, the line between a notebook and laptop becomes more blurred.
Customizable notebook
HP Elite x2 G4 Notebook PC
A highly customizable notebook
This notebook comes prepared to meet your needs with several customizable configurations.
Another feature to pay attention to when shopping for a laptop or notebook is whether or not it includes an ethernet port, HDMI port, or USB port. Older laptops usually come equipped with an ethernet port, but as the newer models become more sleek and lightweight, this port often gets bypassed. If you’re going to need access to a USB port, ensure that your notebook comes equipped with one as many notebooks don’t.
Gaming laptop
HP Omen 15 Laptop
Gaming laptop with lots of storage
This gaming laptop comes with a 9th Generation Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics with Max-Q design.
Storage space
Source: HP
A basic laptop will come prepared with approximately 128 gigabits of SSD storage on average. A standard notebook will start at about 64 gigabits of SSD storage. Both styles of computer are similar when it comes to RAM and typically have around 8 gigabits. If you’re looking for a lot more power and memory for gaming or for large media files, you can upgrade your laptop with up to 16 gigabits of RAM. This is something only a few notebooks can do.
Bottom line
When it comes to deciding whether a laptop or a notebook is better for you, you must first understand what your needs are. If you are a student who is looking for a computer that can handle basic web searches and applications like Microsoft Word, then a notebook is perfect for you. If you’re a heavy-duty gamer or a business professional who needs a large bandwith with crisp and clear graphics for presentations or gaming, then a customized laptop is a better choice for you.
Overall, laptops and notebooks are becoming more and more alike as technology advances. The lightweight appeal of a notebook can be found in most luxury laptops, while some notebooks compromise their lightweight characteristics in order to have a more powerful processor and greater bandwidth. When deciding which is better, you must first consider your needs.
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