The laptop is called differently. What is a laptop
Ø What is a laptop?
Laptop(from English notebook- notepad PC) - portable Personal Computer, which houses typical PC components, including a display, keyboard, and batteries. Laptops run on a battery, but it is also possible to work through adapters that charge the laptop battery.
Compact computers containing all the necessary components (including a monitor) in one small case and, as a rule, folding like a book. Adapted for work on the road, on small free space. To achieve small sizes, they use special technologies: specially designed application-specific chips (ASICs), RAM and hard disks reduced dimensions, compact keyboard that does not contain a numeric field, external power supplies, a minimum of expansion slots.
As a rule, they contain advanced means of connecting to wired and wireless networks, built-in multimedia equipment (speakers, often a microphone and a webcam). IN Lately computing power laptops are not much inferior to desktop PCs, and sometimes even surpass them. Very compact models do not contain a CD/DVD drive.
Using special docks, laptops can turn into desktop PCs: by inserting a laptop into such a dock, the user connects an external computer to the laptop’s computing devices. big screen, full-size keyboard, mouse, speakers and connectivity ports.
What types of laptops are there?Ø First of all, laptops differ in their size.
Laptops are small in size and weight, while battery life laptops varies from 1 to 6-8 hours.
Netbook(from English Netbook) - a small laptop designed for accessing the Internet and working with office applications. Netbooks are distinguished by their compact size (screen diagonal 7-10 inches or 17.8-25.4 cm), light weight, low power consumption and relatively low cost.
Laptop sizes are classified based on the display diagonal size:
- 17 inches and more - “Desktop Replacement” 14 - 16 inches - mass-market laptops (there is no special name for this category of laptops) 11 - 13.3 inches - subnotebooks 7 - 10.2 inches - netbooks. Devices with a screen diagonal of less than 7 inches are allocated to a special category of “handheld computers”
Let's take a closer look at these classifications:
Desktop Replacement (display size 17 inches or more)
A Desktop Replacement (DTR) class laptop is designed to replace a desktop PC. Essentially this is a type of multimedia and business laptop that has one key feature- large screen (diagonal 17 inches or more). The dimensions and weight (3-5 kg) of such portable computers are quite significant, which makes them inconvenient to carry. However, relatively big size The display ensures more comfortable operation. The device body allows you to install powerful components and provide them with sufficient cooling. A number of manufacturers install 2 in large laptops hard drives, which are usually combined into a RAID array. DTR laptops, as a rule, have high performance, a discrete video card, a large set of connectors, a high-quality screen, and a comfortable keyboard with a separate numeric keypad. The cost of laptops in this class ranges from 18,000 to 120,000 rubles.
Subnotebooks – laptops with display sizes 11 - 13.3 inches
Such laptops are small in size and weight, but small size screen reduces the usability of such a device. The size of subnotebooks does not allow the installation of powerful components, since cooling problems arise, so they often use mobile processors with reduced energy consumption (LV or ULV models). Subnotebooks are rarely equipped with discrete graphics adapters, and some models do not have a disk drive installed optical disks.
Netbooks – sizes 7 - 10.2 inches
Term Netbook(netbook) is becoming as familiar as the words laptop, laptop. In fact, they are all used to refer to laptop computers. A netbook is an inferior laptop. The logic is simple Inter Net+ note Book = Netbook. Netbooks are aimed at browsing web pages, working with by email And office programs. Special energy-efficient Intel Atom processors have been developed for these laptops. The small screen size, small keyboard and low performance of such devices are compensated by their moderate price and relatively long battery life. Dimensions do not allow installing an optical drive in the netbook, but a Wi-Fi adapter is a required component.
Now the netbook market is growing rapidly and new models appear almost every week. In general, there is a noticeable tendency for netbooks to move closer to ordinary laptops in price, size, but unfortunately not in performance. So if you need a portable workhorse, then look towards ultraportable laptops. Yes, they are much more expensive, but they also have much more power. A netbook won't help you here.
And the smallest ones are -
PDA - Pocket personal computer (handheld).
The diagonal of such computers is less than 7 inches.
Pocket personal computer is the collective name for a class of portable electronic computing devices, initially proposed for use as electronic organizers. The English name Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) can be translated into Russian as “personal digital secretary.” A PDA is often called a handheld. handheld) due to its small size. They are usually controlled using a screen that is small in size and resolution, pressure-sensitive with a finger or a special pen (stylus), and there is no keyboard or mouse. Some models, however, contain a miniature fixed or retractable keyboard.
And so we looked at the classification of laptops by size, their next feature is their internal filling.
Ø Classification of laptops by technical characteristics.
According to technical characteristics, laptops are classified into:
- Budget laptops Mid-range laptops Business laptops Multimedia laptops Gaming laptops Mobile workstation Luxury laptops Rugged laptops Touchscreen laptops
So let's look at this category.
Budget laptops
The screen diagonal of a budget laptop is usually 14-15", although a number of manufacturers offer models with a diagonal of 17".
Budget laptops are laptops with a low price and limited features. Such laptops are based on cheap processors Intel Celeron M and AMD Mobile Sempron, as well as junior Intel models Core 2 Duo and AMD Turion, VIA C7 processors are sometimes used. Budget processors often do not have the best energy efficiency, which negatively affects the battery life of laptops. A number of ultra-budget models do not have a Wi-Fi adapter.
A special position among budget laptops is occupied by netbooks with a screen diagonal of 7 - 10.2 inches. These devices were originally developed for lower price segment, however, their performance and operating comfort are poor, and many models cost comparable to regular budget laptops, making them not the best choice for the role of a main computer.
In order to reduce the cost budget laptops often supplied without a pre-installed operating system, or with FreeDOS or GNU/Linux-based OS pre-installed.
Mid-range laptops
The screen diagonal of such a device can be any.
Mid-range laptops are the broadest and rather vague category of laptops. Laptops in this category do not have outstanding performance, the video adapter is built-in or discrete of the lower series, the processor is entry-level or mid-level. The body of such laptop computers is usually made of plastic, the design is simple and does not stand out. The operating system in most cases is Windows Vista Home Basic or Windows Vista Home Premium, but Windows XP Home Edition is also found.
Manufacturers usually classify middle-class models as office and mainstream series, sometimes laptop computers positioned as “economy-class multimedia laptops” or even as “economy-class gaming laptops” (in this case, the laptop has a mid-range graphics card and an inexpensive processor). Most of the laptops in the DTR category (desktop replacement) can also be classified as mid-class laptops.
Business class laptops.
Business class - these are laptops for business people. In terms of their technical characteristics, business laptops are almost similar to middle-class laptops and differ from them mainly in their strict and laconic design, as well as the use of more expensive materials. Business laptops quite often fall into the category of subnotebooks (intended primarily for those who often travel on business trips), rarely - into the DTR (desktop PC replacement) category (for those who do not need to take the laptop out of the office). Some models are equipped with professional Quadro NVS video cards, designed to display information on multiple external displays (these video adapters are certified for enterprise applications). There are even business netbooks (HP 2133 Mini-Note PC). Business laptops typically come pre-installed with Windows XP Professional Edition or Windows Vista Business.
Multimedia laptopsMultimedia laptops are also a rather vague category of laptops.
The screen diagonal size of multimedia laptops is 15 - 17 inches; multimedia laptops with a smaller diagonal are almost never found, since the small size of the display makes it difficult to perform multimedia functions. Simple multimedia laptops are practically no different from mid-range laptops. Sometimes you can find a small screen on the back of the lid that allows you to view images and video clips without opening the laptop. Quite often there is the opportunity to watch films and other multimedia files no download operating system. Advanced multimedia laptops are equipped with a TV tuner and remote control. The OS is usually Windows XP Media Center Edition or Windows Vista Home Premium.
Positioning a laptop PC as a “multimedia” PC depends on the manufacturer. Typically, multimedia laptops include laptops with mid-range video cards and processors, which allows you to use the laptop for almost any purpose, including most computer games.
Gaming laptopsGaming laptops are designed for computer games. The main difference between a gaming laptop is a powerful processor and a powerful graphics card. Despite the fact that mobile versions of video cards are inferior to desktop ones, they are able to provide fairly comfortable conditions for playing modern demanding games. Some manufacturers offer laptops with two graphics adapters operating in SLI/Crossfire mode (of course, in Desktop Replacement class models). Often gaming laptops have an aggressive design, such models can be classified as Fashion laptops.
Mobile workstationLaptops of the mobile workstation class are designed for professional work in 3D modeling and CAD programs. Key difference mobile workstation from other laptops is the use mobile versions professional NVidia video cards Quadro FX or ATI FireGL. Typically, such laptops have a powerful processor, and the display has a high resolution (up to 1920x1200 on models with a screen diagonal size of 15.4 - 17 inches).
Fashion laptops
Fashion laptops stand out among others with their bright and memorable design. For the manufacture of fashion laptop cases, materials such as steel, aluminum, carbon and other unusual materials are often used. There are models decorated with Swarovski crystals. A typical fashion laptop belongs to the class of subnotebooks, but fashion models are found among models of all sizes. Some models of gaming and business laptops are sometimes classified as fashion laptops. The performance of fashion laptops can be very low (compact models), or it can be very high ( MacBook Pro, gaming Asus laptops Lamborgini, Acer Ferrari, etc.)
Rugged laptops
Rugged laptops (“SUVs”) are designed to work in extreme conditions. They have increased resistance to vibration, shock, heavy dust and humidity, aggressive chemical environments, and can operate at extreme temperatures. Manufacturers offer models with different protection classes. Such laptops are used in the army, emergency services (EMERCOM, firefighters, etc.), can serve as industrial computers, etc. Often, such devices are developed on special orders from government organizations (mainly the armed forces). Rugged laptops use special components resistant to external influences. Solid-state hard drives (SSDs) are widely used. The widespread use of rugged laptops is hampered by their high price and heavy weight.
Touch screen laptops (tablet laptops)Touchscreen laptops are a hybrid of a tablet PC and a laptop, which is why they are also called tablet laptops. From tablet PCs they got a touch screen, and from a laptop a case with a full keyboard. The positioning of such portable computers depends on the manufacturer, some classify these devices as laptops, others as tablet computers. As a rule, the display on such laptops is made rotatable, which significantly expands the functionality of the device and allows it to be used both as a laptop and as a full-fledged tablet computer. The screen diagonal of tablet laptops usually does not exceed 15 inches, performance is quite average. These features are associated with the high cost and relatively high power consumption of touch panels.
The advantage of such laptops over other categories of laptop computers is the ability to enter information directly on the screen, and over tablet PCs - a full-fledged keyboard that allows you to type large amounts of text without any problems. The main disadvantages are the high cost and relatively low performance of such devices. Disadvantages also include the lower reliability of the swivel joint (compared to traditional
The history of the emergence of laptops is briefly described. I was interested in who it was
first and what monitors were like at a time when flat-panel monitors were not even dreamed of, and TFT transistors were just a side experiment of “mad scientists”
NoteTacker Xerox
The very first laptop was created in 1976, at the PARC Center in California, by a research team: Larry Tesler, Adel Goldberg, Douglas Fairbairn and the head of the group and research laboratory of the Xerox campaign, Alan Kay. NoteTaker (that was the name of the very first laptop) was not put into production, but about 10 working prototypes were assembled. Its configuration included a monochrome display, a keyboard built into the hinged lid, a floppy drive and a mouse. NoteTaker's RAM was 128 KB, and the processor clock speed was 1 MHz. The operating system used was one written for the Xerox Alto computer (the first PC with graphical interface) Smalltalk version. The world's first laptop weighed 22 kilograms (for example, the thinnest laptop of 2011 ASUS Zenbook weighs only 1.7 kg) and could work autonomously, from a battery. According to Alan Kay, some Xerox employees turned on NoteTaker on a flying plane. When the world's very first laptop saw the light of day, the market was virtually ripe for portable computing. Therefore, it is surprising that Xerox did not put NoteTaker into production and failed to make money from it.
Apparently, as usual, the decision to release a product was made by “managers”, for whom the capitalization indicator per share and their market price are more important.
GRID Compass
A follow-up to the NoteTaker, the GRiD Compass 1101 was developed by William Moggridge for NASA. Its creator, William Moggridge, became the first person to try to translate the ideas of Alan Kay (founder of Intel Corporation) into the final product as accurately as the technology of the time allowed. Alan Kay tried to “invent the future”: he puts forward the idea of a portable computer, which should have the size of a notepad, be stored on internal media all necessary for the user information. The Grid Compass contained a cylindrical storage device. magnetic disks, which had a capacity of 340 kilobytes (huge for that time). The body of the device was made of magnesium alloy; the display, which was a hinged lid, was electroluminescent. The heart of Grid Compass was an Intel 8086 processor operating at a clock frequency of 8 megahertz. His mass production was established in 1982, but due to the lack of a power supply, it was not in great demand.
Osborn 1
Computer electronics enthusiast Adam Osborne attended the same Californian computer club (Homebrew Computer Club) as the founders of Apple Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Osborne was one of the first in the industry to realize that the bulk of computer consumers were not computer enthusiasts, but home and business users. At that time, this was a significant insight, because even IBM, which was oriented towards big business, sold computers almost as spare parts, not to mention pre-installed on computers application programs. Osborne created the company, which released the first commercial laptop computer in 1981. The Osborne 1 laptop began to be in great demand, which can be considered the very first laptop to become widespread. It was created a little later than GRiD, but it became available to everyone earlier. Its price was $1795. Of course, it’s not the most expensive laptop in the history of portable computers, but if you consider what year it was, the price is very, very decent. And the configuration included: a five-inch display, keyboard, two floppy drives, a mouse and a built-in battery. Osborne 1 RAM was 64 KB, and the processor frequency was 4 MHz. In its heyday, Osborne Computer Corporation sold up to 10,000 Osborne 1 laptops a month. Although Osborne's idea was absorbed by the industry, the company itself faced bankruptcy. In 1983, Adam is said to have boasted a lot about two of the most advanced new computer models his company was developing. This virtually destroyed demand for the Osborne 1. Since then, this marketing effect, where leaks about new developments hurt sales of current products, has been called the “Osborne effect.”
z.y. On my own behalf, I would like to add that the story of the life and development of Adam Osborne is undeservedly not noticed by Hollywood, when I know for sure that there are 3-4 films about the same Jobs. (well, I don’t like APPLE, sorry)
Epson HX-20
Epson released the world's first laptop equipped with an LCD display in 1982. With the advent of the Epson HX-20, the development of an alternative direction of portable computers began, primarily aimed at compactness and lightness. Such systems were inferior in characteristics to “suitcases”, but, due to the use of LCD matrices, they were immeasurably lighter, ran on batteries for several hours and were quite suitable for work on trips. The Epson HX-20 was a dual-processor system (Hitachi 6301), weighed a little over one and a half kilograms, had a serial port and a built-in tape drive. Minicassettes with magnetic tape were used as removable storage. A 30-minute tape could hold up to 50 KB of information, and the recording speed was a ridiculous 1.3 kbit/s by today's standards. A pair of RS-232 ports operated at speeds of 38.4 and 4.8 kbit/s, respectively. Optional equipment that could be connected to the Epson HX-20 was a barcode scanner and a cassette recorder as a magnetic tape drive. The monochrome LCD display displayed four lines of text of 20 characters each. The Epson HX-20 ROM was loaded with Microsoft BASIC. The manufacturer continued selling its ultramobile PC until 1987.
MSI GT680
And here is my laptop of the 21st century... How obvious the progress with the first products can be judged at least by appearance. After 6 years of use, it has long ago turned from mobile to desktop due to the 7200 mAh battery that has passed into another world. 3.5 years after purchase. I couldn't find a replacement. So the advice is off topic - when you take a laptop, immediately buy an “original” spare battery.
Laptop- a laptop computer that combines the usual components of a PC, including a screen, keyboard and pointing device (usually a touchpad or touchpad), and batteries. Laptops are small in size and weight; the battery life of laptops varies from 1 to 6-8 hours.
Comparison of laptops and desktops
Advantages of laptops over desktop PCs:
Source of material Internet site
The idea of creating a portable computing machine “about the size of a notepad, with a flat-panel monitor and the ability to connect to networks wirelessly” was put forward by Alan Key, head of the Xerox research laboratory in the city.
The first civilian model Osborne 1 (weight 11 kg, RAM 64 KB, Zilog Z80A processor with clock frequency 4 MHz, two 5.25-inch drives, three ports, including one for connecting a modem, monochrome display 8.75x6.6 cm, containing 24 lines of 52 characters; 69 keys) was created by inventor Adam Osborne in 1981 and released to the market for $1,795. Due to a marketing mistake, which consisted in the fact that the start of sales of the subsequent Osborne Vixen model was announced long before the machines went on sale (and this hit sales of Osborne 1), the company went bankrupt.
Functions
Laptop computers can perform all the same tasks as desktop computers, although at the same price, the performance of a laptop will be significantly lower. Laptops contain components similar to those found in desktop computers and perform the same functions, but are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient energy consumption.
Also, by connecting a laptop (with a TV output or HDMI connector) to a TV and/or audio system, you can use it as a multimedia home entertainment center (multimedia station). For this purpose, some of them are equipped with remote controls (for example, the Pavillion series).
Comparison of laptops and desktops
Advantages laptops before desktops:
- Light weight and dimensions. Even laptops category desktop replacement can be easily moved to another location. You can take a laptop on a business trip, to the country, or on vacation. Moving a desktop computer to another room/office is often a hassle, let alone moving it to another city.
- It is not necessary to connect external devices to work. A laptop includes a built-in display, keyboard, and pointing device (usually a touchpad), but a desktop computer requires all of these devices to be connected separately.
- Possibility of autonomous operation. The presence of a battery allows the laptop to work in conditions where the electrical network is not available (on a train, plane, car, cafe, or just on the street). A desktop computer can work autonomously for a very short time and only if available.
- Possibility of connecting to wireless networks. Almost everything modern laptops(with the exception of some ultra-budget models) are equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, which allows you to connect to the Internet wirelessly. Wi-Fi hotspots are available in many cafes, entertainment centers, airports, hotels. There are also city Wi-Fi networks that allow you to connect to a wireless network in many areas of the city. Desktop computers usually do not contain a built-in Wi-Fi adapter (with the exception of some expensive models and most nettops), however, for desktop computers this disadvantage insignificant.
In total, all the advantages of laptops over desktop computers make up the main quality of laptops: mobility .
But, in addition to advantages, laptops also have flaws:
- High price. Perhaps the most important drawback of laptops. A fully equipped desktop computer (complete with monitor, input devices - keyboard and mouse - and speaker system) of the same cost as a laptop will be more productive. It should be noted that with the constant development of technology, the difference in prices is gradually decreasing and today is no longer so fundamental.
- Low maximum performance . Compact dimensions laptops are presented special requirements to cooling, therefore the components used in laptops have strict limitations on heat generation, and, consequently, power. Even powerful gaming laptops and mobile workstations cannot compare to powerful desktop PCs designed for demanding tasks such as computer games, 3D modeling and design, rendering, engineering calculations, etc. Few desktops They cannot correct the situation, since they have the same restrictions on size and heat dissipation as other laptops. Therefore in desktops not the most productive desktop processors are installed and mobile versions of video cards are used.
- Limitations of modernization. Unlike desktop computers, the ability to upgrade laptops is very limited. Laptop computers usually have the ability to self-replacement RAM and hard drive. Upgrading the video card in most laptops is not provided, although there are models that allow you to replace the graphics adapter. If you need to replace other components, including the processor and optical drive, we recommend that you contact qualified service personnel. Mobile versions of processors and video cards are practically never found in retail sales.
- Compatibility issues with various operating systems. Laptop manufacturers rarely support a family of operating systems other than the one preinstalled on a given laptop model. In addition, laptops often use specific components, so compatibility issues with other operating systems arise much more often than for desktop computers.
Disadvantages of laptops resulting from the mobility of laptop computers:
- Quality of built-in components. Unlike desktop computers, a laptop has a built-in display and input devices (keyboard and touchpad). This is an undoubted advantage of laptops, but at the same time the quality and ease of use of the built-in components are often low. Laptop keyboards typically have fewer keys than desktop keyboards (due to the combined numeric keypad), and the key sizes, especially on subnotebooks and netbooks, can be very small and uncomfortable for some users. The touchpad is less convenient than a computer mouse. The viewing angle and color gamut of laptop monitors are low, which makes them practically unsuitable for photo processing; the screen size in most models is quite small. It should be noted that the listed disadvantages of built-in elements are quite natural for mobile devices, and they can be easily compensated for by connecting external components (monitor, keyboard, computer mouse), however, this increases the final cost of the laptop and somewhat reduces the mobility of the laptop.
- Cooling system electronic components The laptop often does not provide adequate heat dissipation, and the fan speeds, due to their small size, are very high, which generates strong high-frequency noise that cannot be eliminated. Laptop chips more often overheat to degradation temperatures and fail - especially if users, neglecting this factor, place the switched-on laptop on a pillow. In desktop computers, organizing adequate cooling is usually not difficult, especially in the case of modern cases with the power supply located at the bottom.
- Increased likelihood of failure. The mobility of laptops gives rise to another problem, which is also sometimes included in the disadvantages of laptop computers - a greater likelihood of failure compared to a desktop PC. Laptops are more likely to be dropped. There is a possibility of breaking the laptop display when closing the lid (if a foreign object gets between the keyboard and the display). If you fill the laptop keyboard with any liquid, then there is a high probability that the laptop computer will fail (while only the keyboard will fail on a desktop computer). However, the likelihood of breakdown Protected laptops typically much lower than desktop computers and comparable to industrial computers.
- Difficulty of repair. The compact layout, fragility of parts, and the presence of very small components make disassembly and repair very difficult, especially in inappropriate conditions. Some time ago, laptop repairs were quite cost-effective; However, now, when the cost of components and products is inevitably falling, and the cost of manual labor of a qualified craftsman, on the contrary, has increased, there are increasingly cases where it is easier to purchase a new product. In contrast, repairing regular desktop computers is usually not a problem.
Laptop device
A laptop is essentially a full-fledged computer. But to ensure mobility, portability and energy independence, all components have unique features.
Frame The laptop is usually made of high-strength plastic. Inside, it is covered with a special thin metal foil to isolate the electronic filling from the effects of external electromagnetic fields. A metal cord is sometimes inserted around the perimeter of the case, which gives additional strength to the case.
Inside the top cover of the laptop there is everything that is necessary for its full operation - the display matrix itself, its cables that transmit data, an inverter to ensure the operation of the backlight and some additional devices(for example: webcam, speakers, microphone, antennas wireless modules Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
Cooling system The laptop consists of a cooler, which takes air from the ventilation holes on the bottom of the laptop (which is why the laptop can only be used on a hard, flat surface, otherwise cooling is impaired) and blows it through a radiator, which is connected to the processor (and sometimes the chipset) by copper heat pipes. motherboard by blowing it out through a hole in the back or side wall.
Memory Input/Output Devices
The laptop keyboard is made using special technology and consists of several layers of thin plastic with contact pads, which allows you to reduce the thickness to a few millimeters.
The so-called touchpad, a touch panel that responds to the touch of a finger, is widely used as a pointing device in laptops.
Classification of laptops
There are 2 main laptop classification systems that complement each other
|
Classification based on display diagonal size:
|
Classification based on the purpose of the laptop and the technical characteristics of the device:
|
Classification by screen diagonal size is very arbitrary. Screens with the same diagonal but different aspect ratios have different areas.
|
Diagonal |
Screen area at aspect ratio: |
Loss of area on a wide-format screen in cm2. |
||||
Modern laptops are mainly produced with an aspect ratio of 16/10. This means that the usable screen area of such laptops is 11% lower than the usable screen area of earlier models with a 4/3 aspect ratio. Thus, a screen with an aspect ratio of 16/10 and a diagonal of 21 inches is smaller than its predecessor with the same diagonal but an aspect ratio of 4/3 - by the entire screen area with a diagonal of 7 inches. However, screens with aspect ratios of 16/9 and 16/10 are less convenient in cases where vertical space is valuable (working with text, programming, etc.), but are more convenient when watching movies and playing computer games. Market conditions forced laptop manufacturers to make just such a choice.
Desktop Replacement
Laptops with a screen diagonal of 15 inches and above are usually positioned as a replacement for a desktop PC. The dimensions and weight of such portable computers are quite significant, which makes them inconvenient to carry, but the relatively large size of the display provides more comfortable work, and the voluminous body allows you to install powerful components and provide them with sufficient cooling. Sometimes laptops use desktop versions of processors and system logic; such devices are called desktops(from English: DESKtop+NOTEbook=desknote). A number of manufacturers install 2 hard drives in large laptops, which are usually combined into a RAID array.
Laptops with screen diagonal 14 - 16 inches
For laptops with a screen diagonal of 14 - 16 inches special designation. Laptops in this category are the most common. They have acceptable dimensions and weight while maintaining a decent level of performance.
Subnotebooks
Subnotebooks are laptops with a screen diagonal of 11 - 13.3 inches. Such laptops are small in size and weight, but the small screen size reduces the usability of working with such a device. The size of subnotebooks does not allow for the installation of powerful components due to cooling problems, so they often use mobile processors with reduced power consumption (LV or ULV models). Subnotebooks are rarely equipped with discrete graphics adapters, and some models do not have an optical drive.
Ultraportable laptops
Ultraportable laptop- the most mobile laptop, perfect for working on the road (for example, ASUS Eee and S-series, Sony VAIO TZ, Samsung Series 4).
Ultraportable laptops have very compact dimensions and a weight of about 1 kg, usually based on a processor with low power consumption (CULV, e.g. Atom, AMD Fusion), which allows them to achieve one of their advantages - record (4-7 hours) battery life. However, this is combined with a higher cost with average performance and equipment. Also, a screen with a small diagonal (9-12 inches) is uncomfortable for long-term work or entertainment. Can use Windows, Linux, Android, Chrome OS.
Netbooks
Netbooks, as a separate category of laptops, were spun off from the subnotebook category in the first quarter of 2008 by Intel. Netbook diagonal sizes range from 7 to 12.1 inches. Netbooks are aimed at browsing the web, working with email and office programs. Special energy-efficient processors Intel Atom, VIA C7, VIA Nano, AMD Geode have been developed for these laptops. The small screen size, small keyboard and low performance of such devices are compensated by their moderate price and relatively long battery life. Dimensions usually do not allow installing an optical drive in a netbook, but a Wi-Fi adapter is a required component.
Budget laptops
Budget laptop iRU Intro 3114
Budget laptops are laptops with a low price and limited features. Such laptops are based on cheap Intel Celeron M and AMD Mobile Sempron processors, as well as lower-end Intel Core 2 Duo and AMD Turion processors, and sometimes VIA C7 processors are used. Budget processors often do not have the best energy efficiency, which negatively affects the battery life of laptops. A number of ultra-budget models do not have a Wi-Fi adapter. The screen diagonal of a budget laptop is usually 14-15", although a number of manufacturers offer models with a diagonal of 17".
A special position among budget laptops is occupied by netbooks with a screen diagonal of 7 - 10.2 inches. These devices were originally designed for the lower price segment, but their performance and operating comfort are low, and the cost of many models is comparable to regular budget laptops, which makes them not the best choice for the role of a main computer.
In order to reduce cost, budget laptops are often supplied without a pre-installed operating system, or with FreeDOS or GNU/Linux-based OS pre-installed.
Mid-range laptops
Mid-range laptops are the broadest and rather vague category of laptops. The screen diagonal of such a device can be any. Laptops in this category do not have outstanding performance, the video adapter is built-in or discrete of the lower series, the processor is entry-level or mid-level. The body of such laptop computers is usually made of plastic, the design is simple and does not stand out. Mid-range laptops usually come pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Basic.
Manufacturers, as a rule, classify middle-class models as office and mainstream series; sometimes such portable computers are positioned as “economy-class multimedia laptops” or even as “economy-class gaming laptops” (in this case, the laptop has a mid-level video card and inexpensive processor). Most laptops in the desktop replacement category can also be classified as mid-range laptops.
Business laptops
Business laptops are designed for business people. In terms of their technical characteristics, business laptops are almost similar to middle-class laptops and differ from them mainly in their strict and laconic design, as well as the use of more expensive materials. Business laptops quite often belong to the category of subnotebooks (intended primarily for those who often travel on business trips), rarely - to the category of “desktop PC replacement” (for those who do not need to take the laptop out of the office). Some models are equipped with professional Quadro NVS video cards, designed to display information on multiple external displays (these video adapters are certified for enterprise applications). There are even business netbooks (HP 2133 Mini-Note PC). Business laptops typically come pre-installed with Windows 7 Enterprise.
Multimedia laptops
Multimedia laptops are another rather vague category of laptops. Positioning a laptop PC as a “multimedia” PC depends on the manufacturer. Typically, multimedia laptops include laptops with mid-range video cards and processors, which allows you to use the laptop for almost any purpose, including most computer games.
The screen diagonal size of multimedia laptops is 15.6 - 18.4 inches; multimedia laptops with a smaller diagonal are almost never found, since the small size of the display makes it difficult to perform multimedia functions. Simple multimedia laptops are practically no different from mid-range laptops. Sometimes you can find a small screen on the back of the lid that allows you to view images and video clips without opening the laptop. It is quite common to be able to watch movies and other multimedia files without loading the operating system. Advanced multimedia laptops are equipped with a TV tuner and remote control. The OS on laptops in this category is usually Windows versions 7 containing the Windows Media Center component (Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate).
Gaming laptops
Gaming laptops are designed for particularly resource-intensive tasks, such as computer games. The main difference between a gaming laptop is a powerful processor and a powerful graphics card. Despite the fact that mobile versions of video cards are inferior to desktop ones, they are able to provide fairly comfortable conditions even in the most demanding games. Some manufacturers offer laptops with two graphics adapters operating in SLI/Crossfire mode (of course, in Desktop Replacement class models); the most expensive models can be equipped with a full-fledged desktop processor and have an effective cooling system. Often, gaming laptops have an aggressive, sometimes simply charming design.
Mobile workstation
Laptops of the mobile workstation class are designed for professional work in programs 3D modeling and CAD. The key difference between a mobile workstation and other laptops is the use of mobile versions of professional video cards NVidia Quadro FX or ATI FireGL. Typically, such laptops have a powerful processor, and the display has a high resolution (up to 1920x1200 on models with a screen diagonal size of 15.4 - 17 inches).
Fashion laptops
Fashion laptops stand out among others with their bright and memorable design. Steel, aluminum, carbon and other unusual materials are often used to make cases for fashion laptops. There are models decorated with some kind of jewelry. A typical fashion laptop belongs to the class of subnotebooks, but fashion models are found among models of all sizes. Some models of gaming and business laptops are sometimes classified as fashion laptops. The performance of fashion laptops can be very low (compact models), or it can be very high (Dell Adamo, Asus Lamborghini, Asus G-series gaming laptops, Toshiba Qosmio, etc.)
Rugged laptops
Rugged laptops (“SUVs”) are designed to work in extreme conditions. They have increased resistance to vibration, shock, heavy dust and humidity, aggressive chemical environments, and can operate at extreme temperatures. Manufacturers offer models with different protection classes. Such laptops are used in the army, emergency services (EMERCOM, firefighters, etc.), can serve as industrial computers, etc. Often, such devices are developed on special orders from government organizations (mainly the armed forces). Rugged laptops use special components that are resistant to external influences. Solid-state hard drives (SSDs) are widely used. The widespread use of rugged laptops is hampered by their high price and heavy weight.
Touch screen laptops (tablet laptops)
Touchscreen laptops are a hybrid
The laptop is increasingly being replaced desktop computer in our homes. Its mobility and ability to connect to the wireless Internet significantly expands the boundaries of its use. However, the very first laptop appeared a little over 30 years ago, and its dimensions were not much different from modern analogues.
Who invented the laptop
The creation of the first laptop in the world was carried out by the ubiquitous Americans. In the mid-twentieth century, the average computer was the size of an entire room filled with equipment. At the same time, an uninitiated person could not easily use it, as now.
While solving other problems facing developers, specialists struggled with the problem of bringing computers closer to the average consumer, which in those days was considered very difficult. In 1968, laptop creator Alan Kay put forward a very bold idea; he proposed creating a portable device that would be no more than a notepad. At the same time, its capabilities should be no less than those of huge machines, and the user-friendly interface should be understandable to any user.
In 1978, a device as close as possible to Kay’s ideas was presented by William Mogridge commissioned by NASA. It was called “Grid Compass”.
“What was the first laptop?” you ask. Its body was made of magnesium alloy, and the display was located on a hinged lid and was luminescent. Information was stored on cylindrical magnetic disks. In the year of its creation, it had a huge capacity for those times - 340 kilobytes.
However, ordinary users believe that we should consider 1981, the time when the first laptop was created. After all, it was this year that Adam Osborne presented his creation to the public. His brainchild had a name consonant with the name of the creator and was called Osborne 1.
Domestic computer industry
In the Soviet Union there was also a laptop, its price was much higher than the average salary, but even for a lot of money it was not possible to buy it. That is why data on the domestic model can only be obtained as reference information, since it was not available to the general public.
The first domestic laptop had the simple name “Electronics,” like all products in the country, under the casing of which capacitors or transistors were hidden. The MC 1504 model entered mass production in 1991. Her appearance and specifications a complete copy of the flagship model T1100 Plus from Toshiba.
Naturally, the parameters of "Electronics" differed significantly from the American pioneer. The RAM was already 640 kilobytes, and the CGA video adapter was capable of a resolution of 650x200 pixels.