While looking at different laptop computer reviews, have you ever wondered how this portable came to be? Laptop computers are first replacing the common Desktop Personal Computers (PC). In fact, many people are predicting the death of the Desktop as modern laptops become more efficient, reliable and offer same or even better performance than their bulky counterpart. The popularity of laptops is fueled by improved technology, wider acceptance and its portability. The rising demand for this vital gadget has led to different types and brands and has made choosing the right type a daunting task for many people. This is why many prospective buyers first go through review sites so as to compare different variants and make a well-informed decision.
What is a Laptop Computer?
A laptop is a portable type of computer that ways much less than the ordinary desktop PC. Just as it name suggests this computer is designed to be placed on the laps though it may still be placed on a table or bench. People at times misspell it as lap top, lab top, or labtop but the right spelling is “Laptop.” This device features the same parts found on the normal computer which are the keyboard and screen but they are integrated into one unit. A laptop runs from the mains but can also operate in the absence of power. It comes with rechargeable batteries which include NiCad (Nickel-Cadminium), NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) or Li-ion (Lithium-ion) that store power for later use and can run for several hours. The term Laptop is generally used to refer to types with a display larger than 10 inches. Smaller types of laptops which usually have a screen/display or 10 inches are normally labeled as notebooks or net books depending on the manufacturer.
History of the Laptop Computer
The first portable computer was the IBM 5100 which was launched in September 1975. Compared to the modern type, it was quite bulky though considered portable in its days. It weighed approximately 55 pounds, featured a 5-inch CRT display, ran on a 1.9MHz PALM processor, and the RAM was 64KB. Modern portable laptops can weigh as little as 6 pounds, come with a 14, 15, 17-inch or even larger LCD/LED display and have a powerful processor (2 GHz or more). The RAM is also higher and is normally higher than 2GB and the laptop uses flash/USB drives and disk drives instead of tape drives. The IBM 5100 had an appearance similar to a small cash register or a big digital calculator. Despite the differences, the modern laptop computer is still designed based on the same concepts as the first laptop.
Though the IBM 5100 is regarded as the first portable computer, the Osborne I is considered as the original true laptop. It was designed and named after its inventor, Adam Osborne, and was launched into the market in April 1981. It was much smaller than the IBM 5100 and weighed 24.5 pounds, came with a 4-inch screen/display, two 5-1 /4 inch floppy drives, and 64 KB of RAM. The operating system (OS) was CP/M 2.2 and also has a built-in modem. During its launch, the Osborne I retailed at $ 1,795 which was a hefty price and this meant only a few could afford it.
In 1984, IBM portable Computer Division released a better and more improved portable computer. It was much lighter and weighed approximately 30 pounds and the processor speed and RAM memory was also faster. Two years later, the firm produced the PC Convertible which they termed as the laptop computer and weighed 12 pounds and came with a much bigger display. IBM in 1994 launched the IBM ThinkPad 775CD which is regarded as the first notebook. It had a larger color screen, was much faster, and had an integrated CD-ROM.
Today’s laptop computers are much smaller but deliver very high performance. They can work for long without needing to recharge the batteries too often, the displays are much larger and measure more than 15 inches, and also come with many extra features. Over time, the term ‘Ultrabooks’ has emerged and this defines laptop computers that are much slimmer and lighter but offer high-performance even for energy demanding tasks such as PC gaming. They are also able to compete with Tablets and smartphones. Some of the top choices in 2017 include Dell XPS 113, ASUS ZenBook UX 305, Macbook Air 13″, Toshiba Chromebook 2, Surface book, and Samsung Notebook 9 among others. Looking at the laptop computer reviews, the modern laptop has indeed come from far.