The technology is a funny thing. She has an innate ability to share thoughts, and create "experts" out of nowhere, at the risk of sexist, particularly among men.

Last week I announced casually friends that I thought of my laptop or notebook, but not yet quite figured out the exact difference between the two. The answer of "instant experts has been overwhelming, and suddenly the bottle of Pinot, we were about to be low priority.

"Do not worry,"said one, "there is absolutely no difference between them."

"It is absolutely," replied another, "there's a big difference. The internal memory for a start."

Glassy At this point, my eyes began to probable.

"Maybe size?" Said another.

Could Oh, this part of the interview I did. Follow Of all that I had found out what was the biggest difference between the two notebooks that were smaller, lighter portable. My confusion was only when I a boughtNotebook, I would miss, with my new toys like a "proper" computer.

"No, no, no." Another "expert" went the conversation. "It's just a branding thing - some companies call their" laptops "notebooks - that all it is."

"It's impossible," someone said, "a laptop functions as a small PC, a notebook for yourself do, even notes, and not much else."

"Yes, but the batteries on notebooks for longer." Quipped another.

Finally, it is far too much and I had to stop"Experts" - refilling my wine glass was an even greater priority. We agreed that we would not agree and I did not finish the conversation wiser.

Later I had some of my own research and it turned out to be one of those strange situations where some degree, nobody was there, right, and nobody was wrong.

Some companies do, it seems, simply call their laptops notebooks''- while other companies use the term notebook to refer to another product. Your version iseasy, enabling longer battery life, but has no DVD player and there are some techy difference "processors". Is confusing to say the least.

This left me with still no idea where I wanted. A visit to a large out-of-town computer shop, I was not clever either. A young man tried with doubtful skin, but not to explain the differences. He confuses finally over and I will find links to the manager. After waiting patiently, I also left.

These episodesled me to the conclusion that it does not really matter what I called my new computer until they are all things that I needed it. So I returned to the good old method of writing a list of my needs. Armed with this list, I hit the security of online stores, late into the night. It was wonderful to argue with me or anyone causing further confusion.

A few weeks later, I was sitting in a cafe with my brand new toy, came a few good friends come to me.

"Nice laptop." Saidone.

"Looks rather a. .."

He got no further than that.

Sarah Maple uses Shopping.com to compare to notebook computers and get the best prices

samsung.nc10.us ACER ASPIRE ONE REVIEW samsung.go-n310.us

Tags: Debate, Laptop, Notebook