Small Notebook Computers
The modern world is practically based on and composed of a lot of technological inventions. We seem to be unable to do anything without technology. A clear example of the technical addiction is the use of the PC. So far laptops and notebooks are the latest achievements in the field of computers, and they are undeniably conquering more users every day. When discussing about laptops, which are also called small notebook computers, we actually imply small PCs for mobile use.
We can virtually retrieve all the basic components in laptops from desktops. Thus, laptops include the display, the keyboard, a pointing device – touchpad or pointing stick, and the battery. The advantage of laptops is that they make one single unit that comprises all the other items, allowing for easy maneuvers and lots of mobility. The rechargeable batteries of laptops get their power from an AC/DC adapter and their capacity enables them to be functional for several hours.
The very name of notebooks comes from the thin shape and small size of these computers. Laptops thickness seldom goes higher than 1.5 inches and their overall size specifics range from 10×8 inches (13 inch display) to 15×11 inches (17 inch display) or up. Furthermore, laptops are built light, weighing between 3 and 12 pounds. The design of most laptops as the flip form factor, is meant to protect the screen of the computer when it is closed.
Personal computers became feasible at the beginning of the 1970s and not long after that the laptops invention germs were there. The person who imagined this was Alan Kay of Xerox PARC. In 1972 he put his idea on paper under the name of Dynabook. The first laptops were available on the market only in 1981. The Osborne 1 and then, in the same year, the Epson HX-20 were the first portable computers available for public use. Since then laptops have gained a lot in terms of proficiency.
Unfortunately, besides the obvious advantages of laptops, there are also some disadvantages. First we need to see the good parts to be able to investigate the flaws. The main and most important good bit about laptops is evidently the flexible use they are suitable for. Moreover, laptops allow work continuation in case of accidental power outages. Laptop computers are also more economical and do not produce as much heat as desktop computers do. The disadvantages of laptops come from the standardization and compatibility issues. Despite of some accepted world standards for the making of the elements for the peripherals and add-in PC cards in desktop computers, the processor and hard driver manufacturing part does not fall subject to any international regulation yet.