Foo - Is a processur for a laptop any different than a desktop?

I've just finished building my mom a computer, with all new and up to date components. So I am left with old hardware to dispose of somehow. This thing had a 2.8ghz P4 processor that still works fine, and I'd have to see it gone to waste. My dad's laptop, which he never uses, is a 5 or 6 year old Del Inspiron with a slower p4 than the 2.8. Would the 2.8 fit in his machine?

I don't really know. I have wondered myself.
If you can find a laptop motherboard that it will fit, maybe....

But you can't even spell processor.

well he did spell it properly in the body of the post....

Not the same and a laptop that old the pro will be perm attached.

Today's Dual Core Duo's processors can be changed in laptops...but not in the older ones...

haha, I need to stop posting when I just wake up; my spelling deteriorates.

Yes and no. Sometimes laptop processors are soldered on, sometimes the socket if different. However, without fail, they use more energy efficient processors which produce less heat. Sticking a heavy desktop P4 in a laptop is very likely to fry some components.

Conclusion: Don't do it

Secondary: Old P4's aren't worth the hassle, dump it.

Depends on the laptop motherboards. Some desktop replacements use the same processors as their desktop equivalents, while most power-efficient laptops use laptop-specific CPUs. Thus, some are replaceable while others aren't.

So far as I know, Intel Atom processors cannot be used on the desktop.

http://www.cpu-world.com
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php