Notebook or laptop is a small mobile PC used to perform similar tasks done by PCs. A laptop has all the necessary parts of a general personal computer, the monitor, keyboard, CPU, etc. but compact in a much smaller space, done by using a lot of microchips. Since it can be used while on the move; hence, it has got a rechargeable battery inside it. Generally it has a thickness of 1.7 to 4 cm.

The first portable computer, Osborne 1 came in the market in the year 1981.With a small 5“ CRT screen. It was a massive device as compared to the present day laptop. GRiD Compass 1100, was the first laptop which used the clamshell design, produced in 1982. Just the following year the Gavilan SC came in the market, which was the first notebook to use the term laptop.

On the basis of purpose, laptops are generally being classified as follows:

Subnotebook laptops, which have been built keeping the portability, factor in mind. Hence, they are not very big in size and have a maximum of 13“ screen, with less features and ports and quite a long battery life, even as long as 10 hours. They are made by using the latest technology and advanced materials. They generally use the desktop operating systems like Linux, Windows or Mac OSX.

An inferior and smaller version of the Subnotebook is the Netbook laptop, which also keeps portability as the main building feature. They generally have a screen size of 10“ or less. For saving power consumption, some models use SSD drives instead of the normal HDDs. Netbooks are generally used for performing basic office tasks and surfing the net.

Table PCs are laptops having a touch screen interface, with or without a keyboard. They are generally used for performing certain specific functional tasks only.

Desktop replacement laptops keep performance as the major feature over portability and have a screen of 17“, with many ports. They can be called as a miniature form of PC, which can perform almost all the functions of a PC. Generally the batteries of such laptops can supply power for lesser amount of time, as their large sized screen consumes huge amount of power.

Standard laptops are those laptops which keep a balance between the performance and portability. They generally have a 13-15“ screen, having a moderate battery life.

Apple, HP, Dell, Sony, Lenovo, Toshiba, Acer, Panasonic and Samsung are some of the renowned brands manufacturing laptops.

The basic hardware components of a laptop are similar to the desktop`s counterpart, but are miniature variants of the one used in the later. The areas where laptop scores above the normal desktop computers are; they can be used as mobile devices; they can also be used during power cut offs, as they are powered by chargeable battery. Moreover they consume less energy than the usual desktop computers.

However, there are certain disadvantages of laptops too. The major problem being: upgradability, due to the compact design of the laptop. Again due to the compact design, they cannot be cleaned properly and it leads to improper functioning due to accumulation of dust inside. Researchers have shown heat generated from laptop decreases the sperm count in male users.

Though laptops have a few disadvantages, but they are here to stay with us. In a recent market survey the results revealed a rise in laptop sales as compared to the number of PCs sold, in the recent year. Hence, in this twenty first century, we can say we need mobility and laptops are here to meet the bill.

Notebook or laptop computer is a portable computer that can be easily carried around, and is capable of performing all possible functions of a computer. Notebook, that usually weighs around 2.2 to about 18 pounds, comes in various sizes and varied possible features.

Unlike most other electronic goods, learning how to use a notebook is no big deal. People, who are used to working on computers, find notebooks almost as convenient to use as they have been using it already. However, the touchpad or the trackpads (that are used in place of the mouse), or the pointing sticks might pose slight difficulty for the beginners, though they can conveniently attach a mouse externally. Nevertheless, the fact that notebooks bear such great resemblance to computers surely serves as a great advantage to the users.

These days notebook can also read as well as write CDs and DVDs. They are also capable of copying and transferring data using Bluetooth devices. Most of the times, these are built in the notebooks, though one may need to attach them externally if the features have not been already provided beforehand. Pen drives, etc, can also be used on notebooks for exchanging data. Notebooks also allow the benefits of using internet connection after proper configuration has been done. Microphones and web cameras can also be used with the notebooks these days.

These days there are various kinds of notebooks that are available in the market. These can be broadly classified as Ultra-Mobile PCs (or the UMPCs), the desktop replacement computers and the ultraportables. While the Ultra-Mobile PCs are laptops that can be easily carried around owing to their extra small size, the powerful desktop replacement computers are mostly to be used in a fixed place. They are more bulky and weigh more as compared to the expensive ultraportables that are specifically meant for those business travelers who need small as well as light weight notebooks that can be easily carried around, while traveling around.

Notebooks are especially useful to those who have to work on computers for long hours, or are heavily depended on computers for their work. Though notebooks may not be as powerful as computers tend to be for the same price range, they are capable of performing all the functions that any computer would perform. There are a number of varieties one can choose from and the special features, included in each notebook, vary from one model to another. Much it depends on the price range and the manufacturer.

The main source of power for a notebook is its main battery, and the external adapter, that is used for charging the battery, from time to time. This allows the user to work on his or her laptop for hours together, without having to connect it with any wires, till the battery exhausts. The time taken for charging the battery varies from one notebook to another, though usually it does not take more than a few hours to charge them.

With each passing day, and new developments in technology, notebooks are becoming more and more popular among the people all over the world. Though these were initially meant for the business class, who had grown dependent on their computers, these days notebooks are being used by almost anybody and everybody.

The falling prices, reducing sizes and growing features are surely making notebooks one of the most sought after electronic devices of the new millennium. Hence in today`s world having a notebook has become a necessity, no one can stay without one. After all who can deny the luxury/necessity of owing a notebook in today`s world?!

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