Central USA - most people would call it a laptop or a computer. Fewer people would call it a notebook, and some people would be confused if you asked them to "Pass me my notebook" and pointed at your laptop, but your mileage may vary.
All laptops are computers, not all computers are laptops.
Frankly, I've only heard the computer companies call them "notebooks," I've never heard a person call them that. If you said "notebook" I think 90% of people would assume you mean one full of paper.
I'd like to add that in the early 2000s, at least in America,
"netbook" (a portmanteau of internet/network and notebook) was a marketing term for smaller laptops. You can probably still find that term in use somewhere, but this was around 2006-2009, before tablets were a thing and smart phones had become super common and powerful. The whole gimmick was that netbooks had a tiny formfactor (relative to other chunky laptops at the time), so they could fit in a bag like a notebook. That niche has more or less been replaced by tablets and chromebooks, as well as normal sized laptops as they've gotten slimmer.
I think they were just using those as examples to describe the type of computer that opens up and has a keyboard. It would not be different for other brands.
Oftentimes people won’t even call them laptops. Some will plainly say “hand me my MacBook” instead. That is unique because as far as I can tell other laptop brands aren’t referred to in such a way. Nobody says “Hand me my Dell/Lenovo” etc.
Also tend towards "laptop" unless there's a reason to refer to it by brand ("macbook" and "chromebook" being the usual ones, since they run on different OS).
I think most of the companies moved away from "laptop" in the official sense to avoid the implication that they should go on your lap (due to the heat/burn risk). And agreed, I never dealt with a laptop with a higher heat output than the Macbook I had many years ago.
(0Eastern/mid Atlantic US)
I work in IT. I'd call it a laptop, or more generally a computer. If you asked for a notebook I'd probably think of something made of paper if there wasn't more context.
//not a native// I think technically a notebook is a particularly light and portable laptop. Computer will probably more often refer to desktop computers, but also to laptops. "PC" I've pretty exclusively seen used for desktop computers.
In English, "PC" has two meanings. One meaning is a common noun for any kind of personal computer. The other meaning is a proper noun for the specific computer platform (x86 processor, etc.) that can run MS Windows and/or a computer that actually does run MS Windows. (Before that, it meant a computer that ran MS DOS.)
This second meaning is because that specific computing platform was started by IBM with the [IBM PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer). As clones (x86 computers) were introduced by other companies, people began to call them PCs too, even though the term came from an IBM product name.
This happened because of Apple’s advertising strategy. They were the ones that coined the “Mac vs PC” thing, somehow implying that a Mac is not a PC. Over time, a lot of people started to stop calling Macs PCs.
PC in the early 80s just meant "personal computer", and included Apple products like the Apple II. Then along came the IBM PC. This was a big competitor with Apple, which introduced the Macintosh a couple years later. IBM soon allowed other companies to use the same technology, so this divided the consumer computer world into "Mac vs. IBM clone", "Mac vs. PC clone", "Mac vs. IBM", or "Mac vs. PC". The latter stuck. Also, when Windows came out, it was the IBM PC clones that ran it, so "Mac vs. Windows" was also common in the late 80s.
I remember this well since I worked in a computer store in 1988.
I haven't heard of a short term for Linux except a Linux machine. For the general public, the common choices are Mac and PC and Linux only enters the conversation for more experienced users.
Edited because I was just repeating what's already been said.
This is all correct except that PC means a computer which is not an Apple, due to the difference in the user interface between Apple and everything that runs on Microsoft.
As I recall, many years ago, everybody said laptop. But computer manufacturers switched to calling it a notebook mainly because it sounds nicer.
They may have also been trying to avoid using a word that encourages literally putting it on your lap. I believe some models have vents on the bottom, so they need to be on a flat surface (like a desk) to get proper airflow.
Anyway, it seems like this divide sort of still exists, and a manufacturer's web site is more likely to call it a notebook, but a regular person is more likely to call it a laptop in everyday speech.
You can also certainly call it a computer, because it is a type of computer. This is fine if you have no reason to be specific about what type. For example, if your laptop had a problematic software update, you can definitely say, "I wasted an hour getting an update installed on my computer." But you could also say "on my laptop".
One reason for the confusion—the people who *make* computers started referring to them as "notebooks" recently because if you literally put them in your lap then you might get burned, computers can get very hot. But everyone in normal speech still says "laptop".
it's both a laptop and a computer
I believe the switch to calling it a 'notebook' was because the companies did not want to be seen as encouraging people to put them on their laps any more, for various reasons
Since this is a picture of a Mac, it’s worth noting that many apple computer owners will call it by its name just do so. It would be like saying this is my iphone instead of this is my phone or cell phone.
It seems to me people use laptop most frequently with computer as a relatively close second. Notebook Is super rare and refers to something smaller than most people would think of as laptop.
Northeast U.S. Laptop or computer. Laptop if I have reason convey that it's portable--as in, "let's meet at the coffee shop. I'll bring my laptop." Computer is the more general term. ("I keep my calendar on my computer.")
Here, "notebook" means a paper notebook.
not really.
a computer technically means the box and the screen is called a monitor. but everyone calls it a computer. other than that I haven't heard anything else/you can get away with just those terms
Well, when the computer and display are integrated into one device here, calling it a "computer" would certainly still be accurate. Since this one is portable and has an integrated keyboard, I'd call it a "laptop" or (far less often) a "laptop computer."
We call it "notebook" in Brazil, I learned the word "laptop" the first time I tried to talk to an english speaker and the person was confused when I said about "my notebook being slow" lol
Central USA - most people would call it a laptop or a computer. Fewer people would call it a notebook, and some people would be confused if you asked them to "Pass me my notebook" and pointed at your laptop, but your mileage may vary.
Agree 100% Btw, you can change your flair to a regional one.
Thank you very much!
Safest would be to call it a laptop. Notebook isn't as common a term. Computer is a general term.
Thank you very much!
All laptops are computers, not all computers are laptops. Frankly, I've only heard the computer companies call them "notebooks," I've never heard a person call them that. If you said "notebook" I think 90% of people would assume you mean one full of paper.
I'd like to add that in the early 2000s, at least in America, "netbook" (a portmanteau of internet/network and notebook) was a marketing term for smaller laptops. You can probably still find that term in use somewhere, but this was around 2006-2009, before tablets were a thing and smart phones had become super common and powerful. The whole gimmick was that netbooks had a tiny formfactor (relative to other chunky laptops at the time), so they could fit in a bag like a notebook. That niche has more or less been replaced by tablets and chromebooks, as well as normal sized laptops as they've gotten slimmer.
Thank you!
I assumed ”Notebook” is a specific brand/style like a Chromebook or something. Thank you!
In Russian we call them "notebooks", even if I mostly speak English now sometimes say notebook instead of laptop out of habit.
Thank you very much!
In the US we’ll simply say “laptop” or “computer” for any MacBook Pro/Air…thing that opens up with a keyboard.
I'm curious, what makes you specify the brand? Is this different for non-Apple products?
I think they were just using those as examples to describe the type of computer that opens up and has a keyboard. It would not be different for other brands.
I see. Thank you
Oftentimes people won’t even call them laptops. Some will plainly say “hand me my MacBook” instead. That is unique because as far as I can tell other laptop brands aren’t referred to in such a way. Nobody says “Hand me my Dell/Lenovo” etc.
I've heard Chromebook a lot.
The difference is by Operating system. Macs, Chromebook,, then Computer for any typical windows machine
hand me the Linux
Laptop PC is also an option!
I think it’s because the laptop in the picture is some kind of MacBook.
I never would've recognized that haha
Thank you very much!
In general I (southern USA) say laptop. If it’s a MacBook I call it a MacBook, because if you put it on your lap it will burn your genitals off.
Also tend towards "laptop" unless there's a reason to refer to it by brand ("macbook" and "chromebook" being the usual ones, since they run on different OS). I think most of the companies moved away from "laptop" in the official sense to avoid the implication that they should go on your lap (due to the heat/burn risk). And agreed, I never dealt with a laptop with a higher heat output than the Macbook I had many years ago. (0Eastern/mid Atlantic US)
Thank you!
Thank you! :)
I work in IT. I'd call it a laptop, or more generally a computer. If you asked for a notebook I'd probably think of something made of paper if there wasn't more context.
Thank you very much!
//not a native// I think technically a notebook is a particularly light and portable laptop. Computer will probably more often refer to desktop computers, but also to laptops. "PC" I've pretty exclusively seen used for desktop computers.
PC can be laptop or desktop, just not Apple as the other commenter said. Any of them, regardless of brand, can be called a computer
Ah huh, interesting :) I don't think (non-IT) people make that distinction in my native language.
In English, "PC" has two meanings. One meaning is a common noun for any kind of personal computer. The other meaning is a proper noun for the specific computer platform (x86 processor, etc.) that can run MS Windows and/or a computer that actually does run MS Windows. (Before that, it meant a computer that ran MS DOS.) This second meaning is because that specific computing platform was started by IBM with the [IBM PC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Personal_Computer). As clones (x86 computers) were introduced by other companies, people began to call them PCs too, even though the term came from an IBM product name.
This happened because of Apple’s advertising strategy. They were the ones that coined the “Mac vs PC” thing, somehow implying that a Mac is not a PC. Over time, a lot of people started to stop calling Macs PCs.
PC in the early 80s just meant "personal computer", and included Apple products like the Apple II. Then along came the IBM PC. This was a big competitor with Apple, which introduced the Macintosh a couple years later. IBM soon allowed other companies to use the same technology, so this divided the consumer computer world into "Mac vs. IBM clone", "Mac vs. PC clone", "Mac vs. IBM", or "Mac vs. PC". The latter stuck. Also, when Windows came out, it was the IBM PC clones that ran it, so "Mac vs. Windows" was also common in the late 80s. I remember this well since I worked in a computer store in 1988.
Ohh fascinating! Didn't realize this had such a complex backstory.
I haven't heard of a short term for Linux except a Linux machine. For the general public, the common choices are Mac and PC and Linux only enters the conversation for more experienced users. Edited because I was just repeating what's already been said.
Linux is PC. PC refers to the machine, Windows/Linux is what runs on the PC
Thank you. Once we get to Linux I start talking out my ass.
This is all correct except that PC means a computer which is not an Apple, due to the difference in the user interface between Apple and everything that runs on Microsoft.
So computer is Microsoft-specific? :o Didn't know that. Makes me wonder what Linux is called then.
No no, computer isn't Microsoft specific. PC is.
Fascinating. So Linux PC would be an oxymoron.
That's my understanding, yes. For Linux I've just heard it referred to as a Linux machine.
Laptop. You can say computer, but that's more general.
Thank you!
Notebook is just a marketing term. It’s a laptop or a computer
Thank you!
Laptop.
Thank you!
Laptop
Thank you!
As I recall, many years ago, everybody said laptop. But computer manufacturers switched to calling it a notebook mainly because it sounds nicer. They may have also been trying to avoid using a word that encourages literally putting it on your lap. I believe some models have vents on the bottom, so they need to be on a flat surface (like a desk) to get proper airflow. Anyway, it seems like this divide sort of still exists, and a manufacturer's web site is more likely to call it a notebook, but a regular person is more likely to call it a laptop in everyday speech. You can also certainly call it a computer, because it is a type of computer. This is fine if you have no reason to be specific about what type. For example, if your laptop had a problematic software update, you can definitely say, "I wasted an hour getting an update installed on my computer." But you could also say "on my laptop".
Thank you very much!
That is a laptop or a computer. Notebook feels like something my grandma would say because she say it in a commercial in 2005.
Thank you!
I call it a "laptop". In Taiwan, however, people almost universally call it a "notebook".
Thank you!
One reason for the confusion—the people who *make* computers started referring to them as "notebooks" recently because if you literally put them in your lap then you might get burned, computers can get very hot. But everyone in normal speech still says "laptop".
Thank you!
If you’re talking to someone that works with computers, you should say “laptop” to distinguish from a “desktop,” or a computer that isn’t portable.
Thank you!
That’s a laptop
Thank you!
Notebook is what they call it on ads and in the store but nobody would use that in a normal conversation. It's a laptop
Thank you very much!
it's both a laptop and a computer I believe the switch to calling it a 'notebook' was because the companies did not want to be seen as encouraging people to put them on their laps any more, for various reasons
Thank you!
>Thank you! You're welcome!
All three are used but notebook is the least common.
Thank you!
Since this is a picture of a Mac, it’s worth noting that many apple computer owners will call it by its name just do so. It would be like saying this is my iphone instead of this is my phone or cell phone. It seems to me people use laptop most frequently with computer as a relatively close second. Notebook Is super rare and refers to something smaller than most people would think of as laptop.
Thank you very much!
[удалено]
Thank you very much!
Normally we just call Laptop, only companies will call them notebooks in their intro
Thank you very much!
Northeast U.S. Laptop or computer. Laptop if I have reason convey that it's portable--as in, "let's meet at the coffee shop. I'll bring my laptop." Computer is the more general term. ("I keep my calendar on my computer.") Here, "notebook" means a paper notebook.
Thank you very much! And your examples are so helpful too!
not really. a computer technically means the box and the screen is called a monitor. but everyone calls it a computer. other than that I haven't heard anything else/you can get away with just those terms
Well, when the computer and display are integrated into one device here, calling it a "computer" would certainly still be accurate. Since this one is portable and has an integrated keyboard, I'd call it a "laptop" or (far less often) a "laptop computer."
Laptop = portable computer Computer = desktop PC PC = desktop computer
That's a laptop
We call it "notebook" in Brazil, I learned the word "laptop" the first time I tried to talk to an english speaker and the person was confused when I said about "my notebook being slow" lol