Computers

I have a laptop at work as there are times I need to take the thing somewhere to do some work, see an employer, etc. But when in the world were they called a notebook computer? Laptop makes sense to me. It sits on your lap...and on top of it. When I think notebook, I think of scribbling pads, sounds of paper being ripped out because the person didn't like what they wrote. Why do we always try to invent new words for something? Seriously...how many synonyms do we need these days? I'm sure a geek will set me straight....