The terms laptop and notebook are often used interchangeably, but notebooks were originally ultra-light and highly portable compared to bulky laptops. Today, ultraportables are the most portable and expensive, while mid-range laptops are essentially desktop replacements. Standard laptops balance features with portability, while netbooks are the smallest and most affordable. There are also additional classifications, such as rugged laptops and ultra-small subnetbooks. Models at the boundaries of classifications could be marketed as the most desirable classification.
The terms laptop and notebook are often used interchangeably to refer to any portable computer, and not everyone agrees on what the differences are, or if any, between these two terms. The conventional difference is that notebooks were so named to differentiate this class of mobiles as being ultra-light, ultra-thin and highly portable, as opposed to the original laptops which were relatively bulky. With the advancement of mobile technology, laptops have evolved into what was previously thought of as a notebook, explaining why the terms have become interchangeable.
Today’s ultralight portable computers that retain operating systems and full functionality are referred to as subnotebooks or ultraportables. Some models do not include a CD/DVD player and can be used with an optional docking station to enhance functionality. The specifications that qualify a notebook to fall into this category can be somewhat arbitrary, but in general, the machine will be significantly smaller and lighter than the average laptop. High-quality, energy-efficient components also ensure longer periods between battery charges. These favorable attributes make ultraportables two to three times more expensive than their larger and heavier counterparts.
Mid-range laptops typically weigh around 6 kg (2.72 lbs) with screens measuring 15-17 inches (approximately 38-43 cm) measured diagonally. The keyboards are spacious and the included DVD player could have Blu-ray capabilities. USB and Firewire® ports, built-in WiFi®, Ethernet, Bluetooth®, a webcam, and a flash card reader have become standard on nearly every cheaper machine. Computers in this class have essentially become desktop replacements, blurring another distinction previously made to classify desktop cellphones as extremely heavy models that are feature-oriented rather than portability-although some laptops are heavier.
At the lighter end of the middle-class line are the standard cell phones that balance middle-class features with the portability of subnotebooks. The standard laptop might have a 14-inch (35.56 cm) LCD and weigh 5 pounds (2.27 kg), although these parameters are only generally representative.
Netbooks (versus notebooks) are the smallest and most portable class, providing a low-cost alternative for online browsing and basic applications. They don’t come with a CD/DVD drive, but commonly include built-in WiFi®, Ethernet, USB ports, a flash card reader, a webcam, and headphone and microphone jacks. Most displays are 6 to 10 inches (15.24 to 25.40 cm).
Within each of these classes — ultraportables, standard, midrange, and netbooks — there are models that fall between adjacent classes. An ultraportable at the heavier end of its class, for example, or a netbook at the larger, sturdier end of its class, both might be considered standard laptops by some. Models at the boundaries of classifications could be marketed as the most desirable classification. There are also additional classifications, such as rugged laptops for military or field use and ultra-small subnetbooks, which can feature displays up to 2.8 inches (7.11 cm).
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