Laptop Computers; the History of a Dynamic Gadget!
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With all the advantages they offer, laptop computers have been very efficient and useful for many people especially for business purposes. Laptop computers feature great mobility and capability that many people have come to love about them. In fact, there are now thousands of laptop computers available in the market today. There are many different models and brands, features and specifications.
Have you ever wondered how this great invention came to life? How they evolved into the laptops that you’re using nowadays? And who really invented these ingenious creations?
These are just few questions that might be lingering in your mind. Laptop computers have been very crucial, especially to people like you who have jobs and businesses that demand mobility. Perhaps not all people know about the history and real roots of this wonderful gadget. Here you may find useful bits and pieces of information or even trivia (by today’s standards) that will give you an idea of how and where laptops actually begun.
The First Laptop Computers
Somehow, the very roots of laptop computers are vague; there are several manufacturers and engineers claiming the credits for creating the very first laptop computer. In the most basic sense, the first laptop didn’t so much look like the ones that you see today; not with the typical features available like folding designs and book-sized. They were, however, portable and could really be used on your lap.
The following are few of those considered as the first laptop computers;
- Grid Compass – this was said to be designed by William Moggridge, a British national. He designed the model with Grid Systems Corporation in 1979. In terms of specifications, Grid Compass laptop weighed only one-fifth of any equivalent model, had a bubble memory of 340K bytes, with case made from aluminum in die-cast features and had a folding display screen with electroluminescent graphics. This laptop model was said to be used in the early 80’s by NASA space shuttle programs.
- Gavilan Computer – this model was designed by Manny Fernandez to suit executives using computer. He introduced it in 1983, specifically in the month of May. The model was considered as the very first laptop computer with full functions.
- Osborne 1 – this laptop model was designed by Adam Osborne in 1981. The model had a weight of 24 pounds, a screen that measures five inches, with modem port, included two 5 ΒΌ floppy drives, battery pack and software programs. Although it was short-lived, the Osborne 1 was considered as the first true portable computer.
Aside from these three, lots of computer manufacturers like the IBM, Compaq, Sharp, Epson and Apple have introduced their own versions and models of laptop computers; each with a variation unique to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Laptop Computers in the 90’s
In the year 1990, along with the evolution of computer designs and technology, laptop computers became more famous; the popularity of laptop computers was attributed to its usefulness. Aside from that, computer manufacturers introduced several improvements and developments on their laptop models. Among the many improvements were as follows;
- Battery Technology – since laptop computers mostly rely on batteries as their power source, manufacturers improved them; heavy battery designs were replaced by lighter ones such as nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and lithium polymer.
- Processors – power-saving processors were introduced and integrated in the CPU of each model.
- LCD Display – liquid crystal display technology was improved as well. Designs such as active matrix were introduced.
- Hard Disks – these were introduced for high-capacity, higher reliability and other performance functions.
Many other technologies were introduced as well as years went by. Thus the laptops that we have today are far more efficient and reliable than those of past years. If you purchase one at a reasonable price (there are many available) you will gain great value and have a portable computer comparable to many desktop computers.
