The Laptop Has An Interesting History

The laptop computer has a long history which began in 1981 when a portable computer known as 'Osborne' was made. Although it was rather heavy and clumsy, with a tiny screen, it had a major impact on computer technology. For the first time, business people were able to transport data if they had to attend out of town meetings.

Two years later, along came the Compaq Portable. Although hardly portable by today's standards, and almost as heavy as the Osborne, it was the first IBM duplicate. This computer was able to run off MS-DOS but it required electricity.

The first computer that resembled the laptops of today was one designed by Bill Moggridge. Released in 1982, it was called the GriD Compass 1101. Its magnesium case even resembled the clam-shelled style of modern laptops.

It's worth mentioning two others that came out in the early 80s. These were the Sharp PC-5000 and the Gavilan SC. In fact, the Gavilan was the first computer that carried the name 'laptop' when it was marketed. However, the block-buster of that early era was the Kyocera 85. Perhaps this was the first genuine portable computer since it could run off batteries.

Then came three commercial IBM-compatible laptops. Two of these were made by Toshiba, the T1200 and the T1000, and the other was the IBM PC Convertible. The two Toshibas were released in 1987, and the IBM was released in 1986. Over the following few years there were major developments in computer technology and, by 1995, the word 'laptop' was a household name.

So here we are in the 21st Century, and laptops form an integral part of our lives. We just can't do without them! We often forget that in the not too distance past, a computer was considered a luxury item. These days, it is an essential component of modern society and the entire world is reliant on them.

We are no longer confined to operating our computers at homes or in our offices. We can take them anywhere we like. Just look around and you will see women, men and even kids engrossed in their laptops. They provide us with entertainment, a wealth of information and we can even talk to our loved ones, face-to-face, who are thousands of miles away.

The laptop computer has certainly caused a revolution. We can sit across town and pay our bills, order furniture, or chat face-to-face with our friends and family anywhere in the world. There are many accessories that can be purchased for laptops. These include battery packs, USB cables, webcams and even joysticks for playing games.

Andrew Johnson is an expert in electronic products. If you want more information about types of laptop computers or are looking for a trusted computer retailer please visit http://www.ebuyer.com

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