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A laptop computer or simply '''laptop''' (also '''notebook computer''' or '''notebook''') is a small mobile Personal Computer , usually weighing from 1 to 3 kilograms, depending on size, materials and other factors. While the terms "laptop" and "notebook" are often used interchangeably, "laptop" is the older term, introduced in 1983 with the s, such as the Macintosh Portable or Zenith TurbosPort , were often inaccurately described as laptops although their size and weight were too high for this category. CATEGORIES Terms sometimes used for subtypes of laptop computers and alike include: ; Subnotebook s: laptops smaller than an A4 sheet of paper ; Desknote s: laptops that have the same physical size of a notebook (A4) or greater and don't feature a battery; as such they can be carried around but are not suitable for mobile computing ; performances (relatively to their life era) at the cost of bigger size and weight compared to normal laptops. With the exception of desknotes, laptops usually run on a single Battery or from an external AC/DC Adapter ("power brick") which can charge the battery while also supplying the computer itself. Laptops are capable of the same tasks which desktop computers perform, although they are typically less powerful for the same price. Notebooks contain components that are similar to those in their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions but are Miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption. Notebooks usually have Liquid Crystal Display s and use different memory modules for their RAM (for instance, SO-DIMM in lieu of the larger DIMM s). In addition to a built-in Keyboard , they may utilize a Touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a Pointing Stick for input, though an external keyboard or Mouse can usually be attached. HISTORY Before laptop/notebook computers were technically feasible, similar ideas had been proposed, most notably Alan Kay 's Dynabook concept, developed at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s . The first commercially available portable computer was the Osborne 1 in 1981 , which used the CP/M Operating System . Although it was large and heavy compared to today's laptops, with a tiny CRT monitor, it had a near-revolutionary impact on business, as professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for the first time. This and other "luggables" were inspired by what was probably the first portable computer, the Xerox NoteTaker , again developed at Xerox PARC, in 1976 ; however, only ten prototypes were built. The Osborne was about the size of a portable Sewing Machine , and importantly could be carried on a commercial aircraft. However, it was not possible to run the Osborne on batteries; it had to be plugged in. A more enduring success was the Compaq Portable , the first product from Compaq , introduced in 1983 , by which time the IBM Personal Computer had become the standard platform. Although scarcely more portable than the Osborne machines, and also requiring AC power to run, it ran MS-DOS and was the first true IBM Clone (IBM's own later Portable Computer, which arrived in 1984 , was notably less IBM PC-compatible than the Compaq). However, arguably the first true laptop was the GRiD Compass 1101, designed by Bill Moggridge in 1979 , and released in 1982 . Enclosed in a magnesium case, it introduced the now familiar Clamshell design, in which the flat display folded shut against the keyboard. The computer could be run from batteries, and was equipped with a 320×200-pixel Plasma Display and 384 Kilobyte Bubble Memory . It was not IBM-compatible, and its high price ( US$ 10,000) meant that it was limited to specialized applications. However, it was used heavily by the U.S. military, and was used on the Space Shuttle during the 1980s . The GRiD's manufacturer subsequently earned significant returns on its patent rights as its innovations became commonplace. GRiD Systems Corp. was later bought by Tandy ( RadioShack ). Two other noteworthy early laptops were the Sharp PC-5000 (1983) and the Gavilan SC , announced in 1983 but first sold in 1984 . The Gavilan was notably the first computer to be marketed as a "laptop". It was also equipped with a pioneering Touchpad -like Pointing Device , installed on a panel above the keyboard. Like the GriD Compass, the Gavilan and the Sharp were housed in clamshell cases, but they were partly IBM-compatible, although primarily running their own system software. Both had LCD displays, and could connect to optional external printers. The year 1983 also saw the launch of what was probably the biggest-selling early laptop, the . The Tandy's built-in programs, including a BASIC interpreter, a text editor, and a terminal program, were supplied by Microsoft , and are thought to have been written in part by Bill Gates himself. The computer was not a clamshell, but provided a tiltable 8×40-character LCD screen above a full-travel keyboard. With its internal modem, it was a highly portable communications terminal. Due to its portability, good battery life (and ease of replacement), reliability (it had no moving parts), and low price (as little as US$ 300), the model was highly regarded, becoming a favorite among journalists. It weighed less than 2 kg with dimensions of 30 × 21.5 × 4.5 cm (12 × 8.5 × 1.75 inches). Initial specifications included 8 Kilobyte of RAM (expandable to 24 kB) and a 3 MHz processor. The machine was in fact about the size of a paper notebook, but the term had yet to come into use and it was generally described as a "portable" computer. Among the first commercial IBM-compatible laptops were the IBM PC Convertible , introduced in 1986 , and two Toshiba models, the T1000 and T1200 , introduced in 1987 . Although limited floppy-based DOS machines, with the operating system stored in Read-only Memory , the Toshiba models were small and light enough to be carried in a backpack, and could be run off Lead-acid Batteries . These also introduced the now-standard "resume" feature to DOS-based machines: the computer could be paused between sessions, without having to be restarted each time. Another notable computer was the Cambridge Z88 , designed by Clive Sinclair , introduced in 1988 . About the size of an A4 sheet of paper as well, it ran on standard batteries, and contained basic Spreadsheet , Word Processing , and communications programs. It anticipated the future miniaturization of the portable computer; and, as a ROM-based machine with a small display, can — like the TRS-80 Model 100 — also be seen as a forerunner of the Personal Digital Assistant . By the end of the 1980s, laptop computers were becoming popular among business people. The NEC Ultralite , released in mid- 1989 , was perhaps the first notebook computer, weighing just over 2 kg; in lieu of a floppy or hard drive, it contained a 2-megabyte RAM Drive , but this reduced its utility as well as its size. The first notebook computers with standard drives were those of the Compaq LTE series, introduced toward the end of that year. Truly the size of a notebook, they had hard drives and standard-resolution screens. The first Apple Computer machine designed to be used on the go was the 1989 Macintosh Portable (although an LCD screen had been an option for the transportable Apple IIc in 1984). Another "luggable", the Mac Portable was praised for its clear Active Matrix Display and long battery life, but was a poor seller due to its bulk. In the absence of a true Apple laptop, several compatible machines such as the Outbound Laptop were available for Mac users; however, for copyright reasons, the user had to supply a set of Mac ROMs , which usually meant having to buy a new or used Macintosh as well. The Apple PowerBook series, introduced in 1991 , heralded many changes that are now standard on laptops, including Ergonomic improvements such as the placement of the keyboard at the back of the machine, thus creating a palm rest, and the inclusion of a built-in pointing device (a Trackball ). The following year, IBM released its Thinkpad series, offering similar miniaturization. Later PowerBook s introduced the first 256-color displays ( PowerBook 165c , 1993), and first true Touchpad and first built-in Ethernet Network Adapter ( PowerBook 500 , 1994). As technology improved during the 1990s , the usefulness and popularity of laptops increased and prices went down. Several developments specific to laptops were quickly implemented in their design, improving their usability and performance. Among them were:
In 2005 , faculty members from the MIT Media Lab including Nicholas Negroponte introduced the $100 Laptop as part of the One Laptop Per Child project. The aim is to design, manufacture, and distribute laptops that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide every child in the world access to knowledge and modern forms of education. The laptops are to be sold to governments and issued to children by schools on a basis of one laptop per child. These machines will be rugged, Linux -based, and so energy efficient that Hand-cranking alone will generate sufficient power for operation. Ad-hoc Wireless Mesh Networking may be used to allow many machines Internet access from one connection. PARTS Many parts for a notebook computer are smaller, lighter, or otherwise adapted from the corresponding part in a desktop computer:
Some parts for a modern laptop have no corresponding part in a desktop computer:
UPGRADABILITY Laptops' and Hard Drive can be replaced or upgraded; sometimes this applies to the CPU as well. The video subsystem is sometimes upgradeable, if hosted on a separate card like MXM module. Many laptops also include a MiniPCI slot inside, however it is usually not intended to be utilized by the end user. Because nearly all functions are integrated into the Proprietary -design Mainboard , to save space and power, laptops are difficult to repair and upgrade. Outright replacement of faulty parts can include the Display Screen , Drive s, Daughterboard s, Modem , Storage Device s and other components, but repair costs can be high, even when feasible. There is no standard Form Factor for laptops. PERFORMANCE Notebook performance has traditionally been inferior to desktops of the same price. Devices used in desktop computers tend to produce more and more heat, which a laptop would not be able to dissipate due to its smaller size and overall physical characteristics. While desktops continue to outperform notebooks at the high end, both types of systems generally offer sufficient performance for the mainstream. SECURITY Notebooks are generally prized targets of theft, and theft of laptops can often lead to much more serious problems such as Identity Theft . According to the FBI , 97 percent of stolen laptops are never recovered. Notebooks are mostly stolen from hotel rooms, automobiles, coffee shops, and other such places. MISCONCEPTIONS Despite their name, using a laptop on one's lap can, in addition to being unergonomic, be both unpleasant (due to heat from the computer) and possibly even dangerous to the laptop, as it may overheat. Some computer novices assume that laptops are constantly connected to the Internet , even (for example) while located on moving vehicles. This is untrue, but may not remain a misconception for long. The growth of Metropolitan Area Network s may render a constant connection possible in the future and most modern mid-range laptops have integrated WiFi, which means they only require access to a wireless Router to be able to connect to the Internet or a wireless Hotspot . Some newer notebooks, for example Sony VAIO ultraportables, come with GSM cellphone-based wireless networking capabilities, and it is possible to buy add-on PC card GSM modems which provide the same functionality for machines not so equipped. Unfortunately such services are frequently priced based on a typical Wap usage level and are prohibitively expensive for full scale web browsing. Similarly, it is often possible to wirelessly connect a notebook using a cellphone as a modem. Infra-red, USB and Bluetooth solutions are available. The same caveats regarding price of service apply. MANUFACTURERS
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