| You see them everywhere; laptop computers used | | | | association with laptops toward the end of the |
| by consumers, regardless of their location - on the | | | | 1980's as the designs headed more for a folding |
| bus, train, at work and at home. But how did they | | | | book-like appearance. These laptops were still |
| actually come about? Who had the first idea to take | | | | incredibly expensive, however, with many only being |
| a large personal computer and turn it into a small, | | | | able to be afforded by top executives from large |
| compact, transportable device? | | | | companies. |
| The first recorded idea of a laptop computer was | | | | As demand increased for the new portable |
| penned by William Moggridge in 1979. He designed a | | | | computers, so did their design and function. |
| computer that was one fifth of the weight of a desk | | | | Technological advancements and innovations in |
| computer, and which was first used by NASA on the | | | | computer parts led to the ability to further reduce a |
| space shuttle program. It did not, however, appear | | | | laptop's size, therefore making them easier to |
| anything like the laptops we have today. This was | | | | transport for the daily commute. The newer laptops |
| largely due to the fact that smaller versions of the | | | | had improved their battery power, whilst more |
| components that are necessary to run a computer | | | | applications were available that allowed a user to |
| had not yet been invented. As such, this first effort | | | | simulate their office access, and environment almost |
| for a laptop was not surprisingly bulky, slow and had | | | | anywhere. |
| to be connected to a mains power supply. | | | | Of course the evolution of the internet has played a |
| Nevertheless, you could still use it on your lap. | | | | large role in the development of the laptop. Wireless |
| As the 1980's progressed, many other designers | | | | internet receivers are now a necessary component |
| came up with ideas for portable computers. Manny | | | | of any laptop, especially if you wish to take |
| Fernandez is believed to be the first to promote the | | | | advantage of the integration of wireless internet into |
| term 'laptop' for his 1983 Gavilan computer. | | | | public areas such as cafes and trains - an option that |
| Furthermore, Adam Osborne was the creator of | | | | has become very popular in recent times amongst |
| what is thought to be the first laptop to resemble | | | | individuals. Programs utilising this wireless technology |
| what we now have today, although it only had a five | | | | to create a secure connection with a fixed server in |
| inch screen and weighed twenty-four pounds. | | | | an office have also improved the ability to work |
| The term 'notebook computer' began being used in | | | | remotely. |