Question about new laptop

I just bought a new laptop. I have a desktop. Before I start configuring the new laptop, is there anything different about it I should do differently than my desktop?
I have DSL, but when I got the laptop, I bought a wireless thingie to install.
I have Alltel dsl and AOL with Broadband. Do I have to set up a new account with AOL, like a new user name or can I use the same as my desktop?
Any little tidbit you can give me to help is very appreciated. I have never even touched a laptop before and not sure how or if they differ that much from a desktop computer.
Thanks for your help,
Brenda

 

P.S. I have Avast on my desktop pc. Is there any different precautions I should take with a laptop or can I install avast on it as well??
It comes with free trial offers for different things, like Norton, which I don't want.

 

The only difference is the layout and the hardware used, the software and OS should not be different in any way. Oh it may come with mouse driver software preloaded, for the touchpad but other than that they should be no different from desktops, I think...