What is the difference between installing Ubuntu on a USB device and a laptop hardisk? [duplicate]

Posted by Max on Ask Ubuntu See other posts from Ask Ubuntu or by Max
Published on 2013-10-02T18:49:11Z Indexed on 2013/10/31 22:18 UTC
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This question already has an answer here:

Difference between LiveCD, LiveUSB, full-install, and persistence? 1 answer

Now, I have a laptop with Windows 8. For various reasons, I want to install Ubuntu that I can carry with me on the various PCs I work with. The same installation so that I don't have to constantly take care of installing new things and dependencies.

Can I do a full installation of Ubuntu in a USB?
Can I install softwares and other things in the USB itself so that I can boot it anywhere I want?
What is the difference of this installation from full installation on a laptop harddisk?
What features will and will not work with the USB option?

Thanks!

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