Computers on the Go: Laptops
combing the logistical function of mobility with the power and specifications of a desktop computer, a laptop computer is an excellent resource for individuals that need technology wherever, and whenever they want. Additionally, today’s laptops provide more than just power on the go, as they have swarmed the computing market with wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that always keep them connected.
As the big brother of netbooks, laptops are generally packed with much more features, hardware, and software. They offer screen sizes from 10″ to 19″, and can be as thin as a fraction of an inch when closed. The average processor speed is around 2.2 GHz, however, is generally a “dual-core processor” which delivers approximately 4.4 GHz. Memory can range from 1 GB to 8 GB, but 3-4 GB seems to be the average.
There a variety of laptop manufacturing companies including Acer, Apple, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Sony, and Toshiba, however, there are many more. Microsoft has provided Windows operating systems on the majority of laptops, as Apple’s unique platform only spreads to around 11% of the computer using population. Although PC-based laptops offer a variety of models to target various markets, Apple is known for high-end, high-priced computers that have developed record-breaking earnings in a recessional time period.
Laptops have evolved quite a bit since the 1975, IBM 5100 portable computer. Offering hard drive options of up to 64 KB, these machines ranged in cost between $9,000 and $20,000. Today’s 200 GB laptops can be purchased for as low as a few hundred dollars. Furthermore, the 5100 weighed about 55 pounds, while today’s laptops can weigh as little as a pound. Although IBM’s masterpiece seems like an anchor today, in 1975 the machine was a marvel of technology as computers at the time generally weighed around 1,000 pounds.
A sister to the laptop line of products includes “Tablets” which are slightly different than the “fold out” laptops. Tablets enable the user to turn the computer screen into a touch-screen with use of a special pen-like device called a stylus. With no mouse or track-pad, tablets work by the user physically touching the screen as the input device. Furthermore, tablets have a unique feature of recognizing handwriting that is written across the screen by the stylus. This is a convenient technology for note-takers or professionals that need to quickly input information on the go.
The market for laptops has drastically changed over the past decade, as the number individuals going to college have increased. Laptop manufacturers have met the demand of their college population with glossy, high-resolution screens, enhanced speakers, and even blu-ray disc players in addition to meeting their academic needs. Once a business and corporation driven product, is now found in homes, dormitories, and the workplace.
Laptops have given consumers more than just mobile computing power, but also mobile Internet power. With the introduction of wireless network cards, laptop users are able to connect to the Internet without the use of any wires from virtually any location. Today’s laptops allow users to connect to the Internet from anywhere in the world to communicate with anyone in the world.