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. So far laptops and notebooks are the latest achievements in the field of computers, and they are undeniably conquering more users every day. When talking about laptops, which are also referred to as notebooks, we actually imply small PCs for flexible use.

We can virtually retrieve all the basic components in laptops from desktops. 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 10x8 inches (13 inch display) to 15x11 inches (17 inch display) or up. Furthermore, laptops are built light, weighing no more than twelve pounds. Last but not least, the flipping feature allows for a good protection of the screen and makes portability possible.

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 took shape as a project under the name of Dynabook. By 1981, the first laptops were introduced on the market. The Epson HX-20 and Osborne 1 models were the first portable computers available for public use. Since then they have gained a lot in terms of proficiency and laptop sales are ascending.

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. More often than not the choice laptop computers are also more economical and do not produce as much heat as desktop computers do. The disadvantages of laptops come from the standardization and compatibility issues. Despite of some international 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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