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Laptop or Notebook?
The terms laptop and notebook
are used inter-changeably to describe systems. The truth is,
there is no consistent industry-wide definition of what is a
laptop computer and what is a notebook computer. Originally
there was some unofficial size differentiation between what
was considered a laptop versus what was considered a
notebook (the term notebook was used to describe an
arbitrarily smaller version of a laptop). However, more
recently that distinction has completely disappeared. So
what do we call these systems now? Are they laptops or
notebooks? Virtually all manufacturers now use the term
notebook to describe all their portable systems, from huge
desktop replacements down to ultra-slim or ultra-light
models. However, public call it laptop most of the time.
Defining the Portable Computer
Portables started out as
suitcase-sized systems that differed from desktops mainly in
that all the components, including a CRT-style monitor, were
installed into a single case. In the early 1980s, a small
Houston-based startup company named Compaq was among the
first to market portable computers such as these. Most
current portable systems are now approximately the size of
the paper-based notebook they are often named for and are
built using the clamshell design that has become an industry
standard. Inside these systems, nearly every component has
been developed specifically for use in mobile systems. Below
pictures show an incredible evolution of laptop.
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Evolution of Portable Computers (from left to right)
Who's SellinLaptops?g
Although there are many vendors of
notebooks, most vendors do not themselves manufacture
these devices. In fact, 65% of all notebooks in the world are
produced in China (before in Taiwan) by one of several
companies located there licensed under original vendors. These companies are not well known
because the notebooks they manufacture are usually labeled
not with their own name but with that of a notebook vendor.
Famous vendors for today laptop market are including
alphabetically Acer, Asus, Benq, Compaq, Dell,
Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, HP, IBM, NEC, Panasonic, Sharp,
Sony, Toshiba. However, there are some infamous vendors
alphabetically such as Alienware, Amrel, Everex,
Itronix, MicronPC, MicroPro, Athlon Digital, Casio, Chem
USA, Cybernet, Dolch, Electrovaya, FOSA, Northgate, Pelican,
Ruggednotebooks, Sager, Sceptre, Twinhead, ViewSonic,
WinBook, Xplore Technologies.
Difference between Laptop and
Desktop computer
Laptop is formed of two words: 1- LAP
which means human knee 2- TOP which means above. So
when an user working with his/her personal computer he/she
put that PC on top of his/her knee or lap. Thus, it's
named Laptop. Desktop
also is formed of two words: 1- DESK which means a small
table 2- TOP which means above. So when an user
working with his/her personal computer he/she put that PC on
top of his/her table or desk. Thus, it's named desktop. Whereas desktop computers have
not changed markedly in their form factor, portables have
shrunk from the size of a suitcase to the point where one
can fit one into a shirt pocket. The main differentiation
between laptop and desktop is upgrading options. Upgrading
components in laptops are so confined and not optional too
much. Whereas upgrading components in desktops are
relatively optional. Upgrading laptop VGA is mostly
impossible but in desktops as far as motherboards support,
it's possible. This story is true also about CPUs which is
so difficult or expensive and approximately impossible in
laptops. Other components are often easy to upgrade in
laptops like desktops. Even the best laptop
thermal-management design will still result in a substantial
quantity of heat being generated in a small space. Usually
this heat is more concentrated than that inside a desktop. To
cope with this problem, many notebook components are
designed not only to require little space and power but also
to be able to withstand high temperatures. Maintenance and
working conditions with laptop computers are so critical and
vital than desktops. Special maintenance procedures are
required to work and keep your laptop safe.
Ten Things You Should Never or Always Do
1- Never
work in Safe mode all the time
2- Never reinstall the operating system
3- Never reformat the hard drive
4- Never delete random files
5- Never let other people use your laptop
6- Never steal software
7- Always shut down Windows properly
8- Always back up
your data regularly
9- Always set Restore Points
10- Always scan for viruses
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IBM 5100, from 1975. This 50-pound device was the
first portable computer, and very nearly the first
personal computer. (Photo from
