Notebook, laptop, laptop and laptop are different terms for a small computer, which is mobile and weighs between 1 and 6 kg or between 2.2 and 18 pounds, depending on the model. In 1979-1980, Bill Moggridge of GRiD Systems Corp. designed one of the first portable computers and named it the GRiD Compass 1101. It featured the clamshell design where the flat panel display folded and closed over the keyboard. In May 1983, Gavilan Computer Corp. introduced and marketed it for the first time as a portable computer, known as the Gavilan SC. Around the same time, Sharp Corp. Ltd. announced its Sharp PC-5000 notebook computer.

In 1989, Compaq introduced the Compaq LTE, which was a portable computer of a smaller size, about the size of an A4 paper pad, and popularly came to be known as a laptop or notebook computer. From then on, the terms laptop and notebook began to be used interchangeably. However, the terms notebook and laptop are misnomers as many laptops cannot be placed on the lap due to heat and most notebooks are not the size of an A4 pad of paper. However, what manufacturers often call a notebook, end users prefer to call a laptop; hence both terms are used.

According to the features and models of laptops, they are generally classified as: Ultraportable (screen is less than 12 inches diagonally, weight is 1.7 kg or less); thin and light (screen is 12 to 14 inches diagonally, weight is 1.8 to 2.8 kg); mid-size laptops (display is 14 to 15.4 inches diagonally, weight is 3 to 3.5 kg); and replacement desktops (screen is 17 to 20 inches diagonal, weight is 4 to 6 kg).

The laptop concept was to make a device that could use the same software as a desktop computer, but in a much smaller size to allow mobility and support mobile computing (ability to use the computer while in transit). Thus, other innovations have introduced transportables (which can be moved from one place to another without supporting mobile computing); tablets (which have touch screens and are compatible with mobile computing); ultra-mobile PCs (which are very small and compact tablet PCs); Internet tablets (supporting the Internet and mobile computing); personal digital assistants (PDAs), which are pocket-sized and support mobile computing; handheld computers, which represent expensive tablets or PDAs; and smartphone, which is a PDA or handheld computer with cell phone integration. During the development phases, these classifications became blurred at times and many machines merged functionality from other categories.

Notebooks can be used for various purposes. Business purposes, such as taking phone calls, receiving and sending emails and faxes, writing and printing letters, making presentations with pie and bar charts, and moving data from one place to another, can be accomplished with any standard laptop. However, high flyers prefer thin and light notebooks, and for regular office work, ultraportable notebooks are preferred. Both are wireless laptops so they can be accessed remotely. Scientific purposes are best suited to a laptop that features fast computing speed, good 2D and 3D graphics display, and large memory, such as a desktop replacement laptop and thin and light laptop. Artistic purposes require animation, 2D and 3D drawings, interior and exterior design, musical composition arrangements, audio and video post-production work, etc., which can be fulfilled with desktop replacements, gaming laptops, and conventional laptops.

Educational institutions do not normally prefer laptops due to their high probability of theft. In addition, they prefer that their property not be moved within the premises in the hands of students who may be careless. However, to keep up with the times and be seen as tech savvy, they invest in laptops. The most suitable types of laptops for educational purposes are conventional laptops and desktop replacements. Students need a notebook to do projects, prepare study notes, and play some games in their spare time. They need to take the laptop with them wherever they go, so size and weight are important considerations. The type of notebook that meets the needs of students is a thin and light notebook with a locking mechanism so that they can lock it with their backpack. Most students report late turn in of projects due to theft of their notebooks.

So no matter what purpose one might have for using a laptop, it seems that mobility will always seem to be the main reason for buying such a product. Nowadays, with so many models being offered at affordable prices, it seems that laptops will always be a product in demand. After all, it’s been one of the best-selling computers for quite some time. And that says it all.

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