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A laptop is a small, portable computer. A notebook is essentially a synonym for laptop, but sometimes people use the term to mean smaller laptops. There are different classes of laptops, ranging from "ultraportables", (which may be less powerful but are very small and light) to "desktop replacements" (which have large screens and high performance but may be heavy and bulky). "Notebook" then, can be used as a term to describe the smaller range of laptops. However, in common use, "laptop" and "notebook" often mean the same exact thing and can be used interchangeably.
From Wikipedia:
"While the terms laptop and notebook are often used interchangeably, "laptop" is the older term, introduced in 1983 with the Gavilan SC. "Notebook computer" is a later coinage, which was used to differentiate smaller devices such as those of the NEC UltraLite and Compaq LTE series in 1989, which were, in contrast to previous laptops, the approximate size of an A4 paper sheet.[1] The terms are imprecise: due to heat and other issues, many laptops are inappropriate for use on one's lap, and most notebooks are not the size of typical A4 paper notebook. While the terms laptop and notebook are often used interchangeably, "laptop" is the older term, introduced in 1983 with the Gavilan SC. "Notebook computer" is a later coinage, which was used to differentiate smaller devices such as those of the NEC UltraLite and Compaq LTE series in 1989, which were, in contrast to previous laptops, the approximate size of an A4 paper sheet.[1] The terms are imprecise: due to heat and other issues, many laptops are inappropriate for use on one's lap, and most notebooks are not the size of typical A4 paper notebook."
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notebook_computer http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&oi=definer&q=define:notebook+computer
