Laser absorption, and hot electron emission and its energy spectrum are studied in the interaction between P-polarized femtosecond laser pulses at 8×1015 W/cm2 and solid-density plasmas. Comparison is made between th e different b ehaviours of metallic and dielectric slabs irradiated by femtosecond laser pulse s. It appears that there are less laser absorption, fewer hot electrons and high er hot electron temperature from dielectric slabs compared with metallic ones. T hese are concluded to be due to the lower conductivity and consequently lower ch arge separation potential of the dielectric slabs.