Due to certain advantages these have over desktop computers, laptops or notebooks can be the choice of many to satisfy their computing needs. In fact, in a 2008 study, people in the US have bough more of these than the desktop types. As manufacturers constantly upgrade their products to become more powerful, these are expected to become the dominant type of computers in market soon.

The most visible advantages that notebooks offer to its users are its lightness and small size. Therefore, these are portable enough to be taken anywhere, making it possible to do computer work outside the usual places. Normally, these weigh less than 6 pound with dimensions, at least, 10×8 inches. Some models can even be smaller.

This obvious advantage is a result of its very small electronic components and the flat-panel technology it employs for its display screen. However, notebooks have screens with VGA resolutions, which have limitations in terms of refresh speed. Desktop computers monitors may sometime have lesser sharpness but it refreshes much faster.

Batteries power notebooks. These batteries have to be charged through an AC adapter for it to function fully for an average of three hours. However, if a user adjusts the power settings to its minimum configuration, the batteries may be able to power one longer. This may limit some software applications though.

There are models that are designed to be replacements for desktop computers. These, basically, have the same capabilities of a desktop PC. This means that its performance, from processing speed to data storage capacity, is just as powerful. These have larger sizes and heavier weights though, sacrificing portability for power. Therefore, it may not be carried around as often as ordinary laptops.

Netbooks are very portable notebooks. Most of these do not have optical media drives but have raised the number of USB ports to accommodate external drives and other peripherals. Because of the very small components, and less power offered by the unit they are typically less expensive.

Netbooks have limitations in terms of use of powerful software. They are designed to use the internet and give access to your online applications.

To find notebooks that would suit a person's need, one should only determine what usual applications is he going to use and where is he going to work often with it. The answers would provide the bases for his choice of laptop computers. Otherwise, he might end up with a type that cannot meet his demands.