Where Did Laptop Originate?

Laptop is a kind of personal computer that is engineered for mobility and convenience. This computing system is small, portable and light which allows its user to put it on his lap. During the early part of 1970, personal computers emerged and few years after, a portable version was created. Alan Kay of Xerox PARC described it as a personal and portable information manipulating device. He called as Dynabook in his research paper. After a year, IBM Special Computer APL Machine Portable created a prototype using the Put All Logic In Microcode (PALM) processor. Few years after, IBM launched the IBM 5100. This was the first portable and compact computer available in the market.

As new developments emerged, more efficient and better versions of laptops became commercially available. During the 80’s, 8-bit CPU systems became popular and widely accepted by the consumers. Among the pioneer devices of this category were Osborne 1 and Epson HX-20. The former used Zilog Z80 and weighed approximately 23.5 pounds. It came with 5-inch CRT monitor and a dual 51/4 floppy drive.  The latter, on the other hand, used the LCD screen, rechargeable batteries and a small calculator sized printer.

In 1982, a laptop with flip form factor – GRiD Compass 1100 – was used by NASA and the military. Despite the existence of these portable devices, the term “laptop” was first used in Gavilan SC. From then on, more advanced and sophisticated forms were created.

Classification of Laptops

Desktop Replacement – This kind of laptop presents the same functions as your desktop computers. This type is normally larger than the standard laptop in the market as it comes with a large (15”) display. Compared to other laptops, desktop replacements are not portable. One good example of this is Dell XPS M140 laptop.

Subnotebook – this type of laptop is also referred as the ultraportable device since it is small, lightweight and has longer battery life. Subnotebooks are even smaller and lighter than the normal laptops sold in the market. It weighs around two to five pounds and its battery life can support its operation for more than 10 hours. Subnotebooks have high resolution and their screens are smaller – that is approximately 6.4 inches. This type of laptop uses Linux, Mac OS X, Windows operating systems instead of the Windows CE, Internet Tablet OS or Palm OS.

Rugged Laptops – This type of laptop is engineered to withstand harsh or rough conditions such as extreme temperatures, and dusty environment. Rugged laptops are heavy, bulky and more expensive than your regular laptops.

Components of Laptop

Laptops and desktop computers share the same main parts.

Motherboard – Laptops have motherboards that are highly modeled specific. Unlike the ones in desktops, motherboards in laptops have no expansion slots although external port such as USB can be used.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) – Laptops have more advanced CPU in terms of power-saving capability. Among the known CPU’s designed for laptops are Intel Pentium M, Celeron M, Core 2 Duo, VIA Technologies and AMD (Athlon and Sempron).

Other parts include the screen, memory (RAM), batteries, power supply, expansion cards, internal storage and input device.