- In the early 1970s, Alan Kay had proposed the Dynabook concept, which was similar to a laptop. The concept was developed at Xerox but these computers weren't made available commercially. Laptops first made their appearance to the general public in the 1980s. The first true portable computer was called the Osborne 1. This laptop was created and distributed by Osborne Computer Corporation. It was bulky, heavy and had a very small 5-inch monitor. During this decade, a number of companies such as Kaypro, Compaq and Epson were releasing primitive versions of portable computers. In the next decade, as technology continued to improve, more advanced prototypes were being released. In the early 1990s, battery-powered laptops were designed and being commercialized. As the 1990s came to a close, the laptop was reformed with further improvements such as longer battery usage, more portability and enhanced operating systems.
- Currently, the consumer market is filled with a variety of laptops. Many of the major electronic manufacturers produce and sell laptops such as Sony, Apple, Dell, Compaq, Toshiba and others. Different laptops vary by aesthetics--size, color, screen size and weight. However, their specifications are the primary differences. You can choose a laptop for its RAM size, hard drive size and speed, CD/DVD writing drive capabilities, network adaptability, sound quality and graphic capabilities. Some brands have strong features that set them apart from the rest. For example, Apple laptops are known to be very good at creating and editing videos, images and sound, while Dell laptops are known for their customization options and the resulting economical price.
- Laptops include many of the same capabilities as desktops computers do. They can come equipped with standard operating systems, software programs, graphic cards and other components. However, they do differ. For example, laptops normally use a different mouse setup than a desktop. The mouse is built in directly on the laptop's keyboard and is controlled by touch action. If you aren't comfortable using the touch pad mouse on a laptop, a standard mouse can usually be plugged into the USB port. Additionally, the keyboard is generally smaller than that of a typical desktop.
- The portability of a laptop is its most unique and arguably its most enticing attribute. These compact computers are perfect for those who travel often or need to connect to the Internet on the go. Laptops equipped with a wireless Internet card have the ability to pick up a signal almost anywhere.
- While laptops are extremely popular, they do have their share of drawbacks. Firstly, their portability also makes them targets for thieves who are looking to get their hands on a valuable electronic device. Additionally, laptops are almost always more expensive than comparable desktops. If your budget is your top concern, you can get more bang for your buck with a desktop. Thirdly, laptops are also more expensive to repair than desktops and have shorter life expectancies.
