History of laptops

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The history of laptops describes attempts in the 1970s and 1980s to build small, portable personal computers that combined the components, input, output and capabilities of desktop computers in a small chassis. Before laptops/notebook computers were technically feasible, similar ideas had been proposed, especially the Alan Kay Dynabook concept, developed at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s. One of the first portable computers was the Xerox NoteTaker, which was developed again at Xerox PARC, in 1976. However, only 10 prototypes were built.

Video History of laptops

Portal R2E CCMC

The portable computer "Portal" of the French company R2E Micral CCMC officially appeared in September 1980 at the Sicob exhibition in Paris. The portal is a portable microcomputer designed and marketed by the French study and development department R2E Micral in 1980 at the request of the CCMC company specializing in payroll and accounting. It is based on an Intel 8085, 8-bit, 2 MHz clock. It comes with 64K bytes of Ram center, a keyboard with 58 alpha numeric keys and 11 numeric keys (separate blocks), 32-character display, floppy disk: capacity = 140,000 characters, from thermal printer: speed = 28 characters/second, asynchronous channel, synchronous channel, 220V power supply. Designed for operating temperatures of 15 Â ° C to 35 Â ° C, weighs 12 kg and dimensions 45 cm x 45 cm x 15 cm. It provides total mobility. The operating system is Prolog.

Maps History of laptops

Osborne 1

Osborne 1 is considered the first true mobile computer by most historians. Adam Osborne founded Osborne Computer and formed Osborne 1 in 1981. Osborne 1 has a five-inch screen, equipped with a modem port, two 5 1/4 floppy drives, a large collection of bundled software applications, and battery packs. The computer company failed and did not last long. Although it's big and heavy compared to today's laptops, with a small 5 "CRT monitor, it has an almost revolutionary impact on business, as professionals are able to bring their computers and data for the first time.This and other" luggables "are inspired by what may be the first portable computer, the Xerox NoteTaker.Amarborne is about the size of a portable sewing machine, and can be carried on commercial aircraft.A Osborne 1 weighs close to 11kg and priced $ 1795.

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Bondwell 2

Although not released until 1985, after the decline in CP/M as the main operating system, Bondwell 2 is one of only a handful of CP/M. laptops. It uses Z-80 CPU running at 4 MHz, has 64 KBs of RAM, and 3.5 "floppy disk drive built in, unusual for CP/M laptops.Flip-up LCD screen resolution is 640x200 pixels.Bondwell 2 also includes a complete line of CP/M MicroPro software, including WordStar, The Bondwell 2 is capable of displaying bitmap graphics, Bondwell 2 prices are listed at $ 995.

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Compaq Portable

Compaq Portable was the first portable computer created in 1982 which was one of the first 100% compatible IBM PC systems. The first shipment was made in March 1983 and priced at $ 2,995. The Compaq Portable is folded into a shellable box the size of a portable sewing machine. The third model of this development, Compaq Portable II, displays high-resolution graphics on its tube screen. This is the first portable computer ready for use on the shop floor, and for CAD and diagrams viewing. It established Compaq as the premier brand in the market.

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Epson HX-20

Another important engine that was announced in 1981, although first widely sold in 1983, was the Epson HX-20. A simple handheld computer, it features a full 68-button transit keyboard, rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, small dot-matrix LCD (120 × 32 pixels) with 4 lines of text, 20 characters per line of text, 24 dot matrix printers column, Microsoft BASIC translator, and 16 KB RAM (can be increased up to 32 KB). Through at least the late 1980s Epson continued to release laptops like the L3s.

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Compass Grid

The first laptop in the modern form is the Grid Compass 1101, designed by Bill Moggridge in 1979-80, and released in 1983. Attached in a magnesium box, it introduces a now known clamshell design, where a flat screen folded closes the keyboard. The computer can run from the battery, and is equipped with electroluminescent screen 320ÃÆ'â € "200-pixel and 384 kilobytes of bubble memory. It's not IBM-compatible, and the high price (US $ 8,000-10,000) is limited to special applications. However, it was heavily used by the US military, and by NASA in the Space Shuttle during the 1980s. The GRiD manufacturer then obtained significant results on its patents because its innovation became commonplace. GRID Systems Corp was later purchased by the Tandy Corporation (now RadioShack). Dulmont Magnum/Kookaburra

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Another competitor for the first true laptop was Dulmont Magnum, designed by Barry Wilkinson and Terry Crews Engineering Manager at Dulmison in 1982 and released in Australia in 1983. This included an 80ÃÆ'-8 screen in a sealed cover against the keyboard. It is based on the MS-DOS operating system and applications stored in ROM (A :) and also supports removable modules in expansion slots (B: and C :) programmable specific EPROM or standard word processor and spreadsheet applications. However, Magnum does not have non-volatile memory, but can suspend and store memory in RAM, including RAM Disk (D :). A separate expansion box provides a 5.25-inch dual diskette or 10 MB hard disk storage. Dulmont was eventually taken over by Time Office Computers, which markets Magnum internationally in 16 and 25 lines of LCD versions, and also introduces the Kookaburra brand name to emphasize its origins in Australia.

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Ampere

The Ampere , a laptop with a sleek clamshell design by Ryu Oosake, was made in 1983. It offers a dedicated MC68008 microprocessor to run APL interpreters located in ROM. It was released as Ampere WS-1.

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Model Tandy 100

TRS-80 Model 100 was the earliest portable computer that was introduced in 1983. It is one of the first notebook-style computers, featuring a keyboard and LCD, battery-powered, in a package roughly the size and shape of a notepad or large Book.

It was made by Kyocera, and originally sold in Japan as Kyotronic 85. Although the seller was slow to Kyocera, the rights to the machine were bought by Tandy Corporation, and the computer was sold through Radio Shack stores in the United States and Canada as well as affiliate dealers in other countries, becoming one of the most popular models in the company, with over 6,000,000 units sold worldwide. Olivetti M-10 and NEC PC-8201 and PC-8300 are also built on the same Kyocera platform.

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Sharp and Gavilan

Two notable early laptops were the Sharp PC-5000 and Gavilan SC, which were announced in 1983 but first sold in 1984. Gavilan was the first computer to be marketed as a "laptop". It also comes with a pointing device like a pioneering touchpad, mounted on the panel above the keyboard. As with GRID Compass, Gavilan and Sharp are stored in clamshell cases, but they are partly compatible with IBM, although they mainly run their own system software. Both have an LCD, and can connect to an optional external printer. The Dulmont Magnum, launched internationally in 1984, is a similar Australian portable in layout for Gavilan, which uses the Intel 80186 processor.

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Kyotronic 85

1983 also saw the launch of what was probably the best-selling early laptop, Kyocera Kyotronic 85. Due to many designs from the previous Epson HX-20, and although initially a slow salesman in Japan, it was quickly licensed by Tandy Corporation, Olivetti, and NEC , which recognizes its potential and markets them as TRS-80 Model 100 (or Tandy 100), Olivetti M-10, and NEC PC-8201, respectively. The machines use standard AA batteries. Tandy's built-in program, including translator BASIC, text editor, and terminal program, supplied by Microsoft, and partly written by Bill Gates himself. The computer is not a clamshell, but it provides 8 lines of ÃÆ'â € "40-character LCD display over a full travel keyboard. With an internal modem, it is a highly portable communication terminal. Due to its portability, good battery life (and ease of replacement), reliability (no moving parts), and low prices (at least US $ 300), this model is highly appreciated, a favorite among journalists. Weighing less than 2 kg with dimensions of 30ÃÆ' â € "21.5ÃÆ' â €" 4.5 cm (12ÃÆ' â € "8Ã,½ÃÆ'â €" 1Ã,¾Ã, inside). Initial specifications include 8 kilobytes of RAM (can be increased up to 24 KB) and 3 MHz processor. The machine is actually about the size of a paper notebook, but the term has not been used and is generally described as a "portable" computer.

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Commodore SX-64

The Commodore SX-64, also known as Executive 64, or VIC-64 in Europe, is a portable, baggage or luggage-sized suitcase from the popular Commodore 64 home computer, and is the first full-color portable computer.

The SX-64 features a built-in five-inch composite monitor and built-in 1541 floppy drive. It weighs 20 pounds. The machine is carried by a sturdy handle, which is duplicated as an adjustable buffer. It was announced in January 1983 and released a year later, at $ 995 USD.

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Kaypro 2000

Perhaps the first commercially compatible laptop with IBM is the Kaypro 2000, which was introduced in 1985. With brushed aluminum shells, it's very similar in design to modern laptops. It features 25 lines with 80 character LCD, removable keyboard, and pop-up 90mm mm (3.5 inch) floppy drive.

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IBM PC Convertible

Also among IBM's first commercially compatible laptops was the IBM PC Convertible, which was introduced in 1986. It has a CGA compatible LCD and 2 floppy drives. It weighs 13 pounds (5.9 kg).

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Toshiba launched the Toshiba T1100 in 1985, and later described it as "the world's first mass-market laptop computer ." It does not have a hard drive, and runs completely from a floppy disk. The CPU is 4.77Ã, MHz Intel 80C88, a variation of the popular Intel 8088, and the screen is monochrome, only text 640x200 LCD. It was followed in 1987 by T1000 and T1200. Although floppy-based DOS engines are limited, with operating systems stored in ROM, the Toshiba model is small and light enough to carry in a backpack, and can be run from lead-acid batteries. They also introduce the standard "resume" feature now to a DOS-based machine: the computer can be paused between sessions without having to be restarted every time.

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US Air Force

The first successful large-scale laptop came largely because of Request For Proposals (RFP) by the US Air Force in 1987. This contract will ultimately lead to the purchase of over 200,000 laptops. The competition for supplying these contracts was fiercely contested and major PC companies at the time; IBM Corporation, To shins, Compaq, NEC, and Zenith Data Systems (ZDS), rushed to develop laptops in an effort to win this deal. ZDS, who had previously won an important deal with the IRS for the Z-171, was awarded this contract for its Supersport series. The SupersPort series was originally launched with Intel 8086 processors, dual floppy disk drives, blue and white STN LCD screens, and NiCd batteries. The next model features an Intel 80286 processor and a 20 MB hard disk drive. On the strength of this deal, ZDS became the largest laptop supplier in the world in 1987 and 1988. ZDS partnered with Tottori Sanyo in the design and manufacture of this laptop. This relationship is important because this is the first deal between major brands and original Asian equipment manufacturers.

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Hewlett-Packard Vectra Portable CS

In 1987, HP released a portable version of their Vectra CS computer. It has a classic laptop configuration (the keyboard and monitor closes the clam-shell style to carry), however, it's very heavy and big enough. It has a full-size keyboard (with separate numeric keypad) and a large amber LCD screen. While it is offered with dual 3.5-inch floppy disk drives, the most common configuration is a 20 MB hard drive and a single floppy drive. It is one of the first machines with a density of 1.44 MB 3.5 inch disk drive.

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Cambridge Z88

Another important computer is the Cambridge Z88, designed by Clive Sinclair, introduced in 1988. About the size of an A4 sheet of paper also, it runs on standard batteries, and contains basic spreadsheets, word processing, and communication programs. It anticipates future miniaturization of portable computers, and as ROM-based machines with small screens, can - like TRS-80 Model 100 - can also be seen as a pioneer of personal digital assistants.

Compaq SLT/286

In the late 1980s, laptop computers became popular among businesspeople. The COMPAQ SLT/286 debuted in October 1988, becoming the first battery-powered laptop to support internal hard disk drives and a compatible VGA LCD screen. It weighs  £ 14.

NEC UltraLite

NEC UltraLite, released in mid-1989, was probably the first "notebook" computer, weighing just 2 kg (4.4 pounds). Instead of a floppy or hard drive, it contains a 2 megabyte RAM drive, but this reduces its utility and size. Although a portable computer with a clamshell LCD screen already exists, Ultralite is the first computer in notebook-form factor. It was significantly smaller than all the portable computers that came before it. People really can carry-it's like a notebook and fold its clamshell LCD like a book cover throughout the rest of its body.

Apple

Macintosh Portable

The first Apple Computer machine designed for use on the move was the 1989 Macintosh Portable (though the LCD screen had been an option for the Apple IIc that could be transported in 1984). Unlike Compaq LTE laptops released early in the year, Macintosh Portable is actually "luggable" not a laptop, but Mac Portable is praised for its clear active matrix display and long battery life, but bad sellers because of their large size. In the absence of a true Apple laptop, some compatible machines such as Laptop Outbound are available for Mac users; however, for copyright reasons, the user must provide a set of Mac ROMs, which usually means having to buy a new or used Macintosh as well.

Powerbook

The Apple PowerBook series, introduced in October 1991, pioneered changes that are now standard on laptops, such as armrest space, and the inclusion of a trackball device. The following year, IBM released the ThinkPad 700C, which featured similar designs (albeit with different red TrackPoint pointing devices).

PowerBooks then displays an optional color display (PowerBook 165c, 1993), and the first true touchpad (PowerBook 500 series, 1994), the first 16-bit stereo audio, and the first built-in Ethernet network adapter (PowerBook 500, 1994).

IBM IBM RS/6000 N40

In 1994, IBM released the RS/6000 N40 laptop based on the PowerPC microprocessor that runs the AIX operating system, a variant of UNIX. It is manufactured by Tadpole Technology (now Tadpole Computer), which also manufactures laptops based on SPARC and Alpha microprocessors, SPARCbook and ALPHAbook lines, respectively.

Windows 95 operating system

The summer of 1995 was a significant turning point in the history of notebook computing. In August of that year Microsoft introduced Windows 95. This is the first time Microsoft has implemented a sophisticated power management specification with controls in the operating system. Prior to this point, each brand used a special BIOS, driver and in some cases, ASIC, to optimize its machine battery life. This step by Microsoft is controversial in the eyes of notebook designers because it greatly reduces their ability to innovate; However, it serves its role in simplifying and stabilizing certain aspects of notebook design.

Intel Pentium processor

Windows 95 also ushered in the importance of CD-ROM drives in mobile computing, and started shifting to Intel Pentium processors as the basic platform for notebooks. Gateway Solo is the first notebook to be introduced with Pentium processors and CD-ROM. Also featuring hard disk drives and removable floppy drives, Solo is the first three-spindle (optical, floppy and hard disk drive) notebook computer, and very successful in the consumer segment of the market. At approximately the same time period, Dell Latitude, Toshiba Satellite, and IBM ThinkPad achieved great success with a Pentium-based two-spindle (hard disk and floppy disk) system directed to the corporate market.

Upgraded technology

In June 2007, Asus announced the Eee PC 701 to be released in October, a small laptop powered 3586 Celeron-M ULV 353 with 4 GB SDHC disk and 7 inch screen. Despite previous attempts to launch small lightweight computers such as ultra-portable PCs, the Eee was the first success story largely due to low cost, small size, low weight and flexibility. The term 'Netbook' was later dubbed by Intel. Asus later expanded its Eee line with models with features like 9-inch screens and other brands, including Acer, MSI, and Dell following with similar devices, often built on low-power Intel Atom processors.

Smartbook

In 2009, Qualcomm introduced the new "smartbook" term, which is a hybrid device between smartphones and laptops.

See also

• Lengthy portable computer
• Portal laptop computer

References

External links

• "Laptop, 360 degree model", Russian Antique Garden Museum (museum)

Further reading

• Wilson, James E. (2006). Vintage Laptop Computers: First Decade: 1980-89 . Press Exit Outside. p.Ã, 132. ISBNÃ, 978-1-59800-489-2.

Source of the article : Wikipedia