A
laptop computer, or simply 'laptop', is a small battery powered personal computer that usually weighs around 1 to 8 kilograms.
These days, many office workers use their
laptop
as their primary source for computing using an external mouse, keyboard
and monitor when in the office, and using the laptop's organic screen,
pointing device and keyboard when traveling.
Laptops usually run on a single main rechargeable battery, or from an
external AC/DC adapter that charges the battery while also supplying
power to the computer itself.
Laptop batteries
usually last from between 2 and 5 hours between recharges. New battery
technology due for release this year, is set to extend their useful
life by factors of 3 or 4 times.
Most laptops also have a button cell battery to run the clock and store
the computer's bios. In most cases, the laptop also holds an image of
the main operating system that can be used to restore full
functionality after a virus attack or other computing disaster.
Laptops contain components that are similar to their desktop
counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturised and
optimised for mobile use, low weight and efficient power consumption.
Typically the laptop gives less computing power per dollar because they
use customised components and propriety designs to lower weight and
give lower power consumption.
Laptops usually have colour liquid crystal displays, and most of them
use different memory modules than standard personal desktop computers .
In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may also offer users a
touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a track-ball for input, though
an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.
The first commercially available
portable computer
was the Osborne 1 in 1981, which used the CP/M operating system. The
Osborne 1 weighed 10.7 kgs, had a tiny 13cm CRT display, and a single
density floppy disk.
Although it was large, heavy and useless compared to today's laptops,
it had a revolutionary impact on business. Computing and engineering
professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for
the first time.
Since these early days the major developments in laptops have been
focused on processing power, weight reduction, price reduction, battery
life, and more recently, aesthetics.
It wasn't until the mid to late 1990s that laptop computers became
common place as prices reduced and they became less burdensome to
travel with. As far aesthetics are concerned, Apple's range of laptop
computers are examples of brilliant industrial design combined with
serious computing power.
Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the MacBook Air is less than .77
inches thick and will run for up to 5 hours on a single charge.
The future for laptops looks promising. As industrial design and
battery technology improves, laptops will get faster, smaller and
lighter. The laptop will become more of an industrial strength PDA than
a computer. It won't be too long until you will be able to get full
computing power in a handheld device 12 x 12 cms by 8mm thick. The
Apple iPhone is half-way there.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/
