Laptop Origins Concept
The laptop concept emerged in 1970s with the Dynabook, but the first portable computer, Osborne 1, wasn't released until 1981. It weighed 24.5 pounds, which was considered portable at the time!
First True Laptop
The Epson HX-20, launched in 1982, is often regarded as the first true laptop. It featured a rechargeable battery, a miniature screen, and weighed just 3.5 pounds.
Powerhouse 'Luggables'
In the mid-1980s, 'luggables' like the Compaq Portable had the processing power of desktops. Despite their heft—up to 30 pounds—these machines were revolutionary for professionals on the move.
Clamshell Design Emerges
The now-familiar clamshell design appeared with the 1982 GRiD Compass. It wasn't commercially successful but was used in space missions. This design became the blueprint for future laptops.
Tech Advancements Fuel Growth
Advancements in LCD technology and energy-efficient processors during the late 1980s and 1990s facilitated a surge in laptop popularity, making them more practical and affordable for consumers.
Wireless Connectivity Milestone
In 1991, NEC released the UltraLite, considered the first notebook to embrace wireless connectivity, a forerunner to modern Wi-Fi. This feature was revolutionary, presaging today's always-connected laptops.
Laptops Overshadow Desktops
By 2005, laptops began to outsell desktop computers, marking a shift in consumer preference toward mobility. Battery life, screen quality, and processing power had evolved to meet most computing needs.
What inspired the laptop concept?
Epson HX-20's launch
1980s desktop computers
The Dynabook of 1970s
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