February 20, 2010

Small Notebook Computers Are On the rise

Technical inventions represent the fundamental structure of our modern world. We seem to be unable to do anything without technology. A clear example of the technical addiction is the use of the PC. The latest developments in the field of computers have brought us the notebook computers. When talking about laptops, which are also referred to as small notebook computers, we actually imply small PCs for flexible use.

The typical components of desktop computers are all to be found in laptops. 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 are usually 0.7 – 1.5 inches thick 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 no more than twelve 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 those years the idea of portable PCs – laptops, appeared. 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 advantage of laptops is evidently the flexible use they are suitable for. Moreover, laptops allow work continuation in case of accidental power outages. Furthermore, the cheapest laptop computer will is more economical and will use less electricity and generate a lower amount of heat as compared to desktops. The disadvantages of laptops come from the standardization and compatibility issues. In spite of some accepted world standards for the manufacturing the elements for the peripherals and add-in PC cards in desktop computers, the internal components are a lot more difficult to standardize according to a unique international code.

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