A laptop computer, or simply ‘laptop’, is a small battery powered personal computer that usually weighs around 1 to 8 kilograms.

These days, many office workers use their laptop as their primary source for computing using an external mouse, keyboard and monitor when in the office, and using the laptop’s organic screen, pointing device and keyboard when traveling.

Laptops usually run on a single main rechargeable battery, or from an external AC/DC adapter that charges the battery while also supplying power to the computer itself.

Laptop batteries usually last from between 2 and 5 hours between recharges. New battery technology due for release this year, is set to extend their useful life by factors of 3 or 4 times.

Most laptops also have a button cell battery to run the clock and store the computer’s bios. In most cases, the laptop also holds an image of the main operating system that can be used to restore full functionality after a virus attack or other computing disaster.

Laptops contain components that are similar to their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions, but are miniaturised and optimised for mobile use, low weight and efficient power consumption.

Typically the laptop gives less computing power per dollar because they use customised components and propriety designs to lower weight and give lower power consumption.

Laptops usually have colour liquid crystal displays, and most of them use different memory modules than standard personal desktop computers .

In addition to a built-in keyboard, they may also offer users a touchpad (also known as a trackpad) or a track-ball for input, though an external keyboard or mouse can usually be attached.

The first commercially available portable computer was the Osborne 1 in 1981, which used the CP/M operating system. The Osborne 1 weighed 10.7 kgs, had a tiny 13cm CRT display, and a single density floppy disk.

Although it was large, heavy and useless compared to today’s laptops, it had a revolutionary impact on business. Computing and engineering professionals were able to take their computer and data with them for the first time.

Since these early days the major developments in laptops have been focused on processing power, weight reduction, price reduction, battery life, and more recently, aesthetics.

It wasn’t until the mid to late 1990s that laptop computers became common place as prices reduced and they became less burdensome to travel with. As far aesthetics are concerned, Apple’s range of laptop computers are examples of brilliant industrial design combined with serious computing power.

Weighing in at less than 3 pounds, the MacBook Air is less than .77 inches thick and will run for up to 5 hours on a single charge.

The future for laptops looks promising. As industrial design and battery technology improves, laptops will get faster, smaller and lighter. The laptop will become more of an industrial strength PDA than a computer. It won’t be too long until you will be able to get full computing power in a handheld device 12 x 12 cms by 8mm thick. The Apple iPhone is half-way there.

Computers have now become best friends of man. This magical technologically advanced device provides us with those facilities which otherwise would have been possible only in our dreams.

Computers come in two forms: desktop and laptop/notebook. The second type is a more stylish, handy, and slick form of the first type. It is also known as notebook computer or simply notebook. It is considered as a small mobile computer. Its weight is somewhat around 1-6 kilograms (2-18 pounds), which varies with size materials and other factors. They are also available in different beautiful colors.

Apart from being stylish and slick it is also portable as it is much smaller in size than a desktop. Unlike desktops a notebook more often than not operates on a single main battery and with the help of an external AC/DC adapter, which assists in charging up the battery along with sourcing power to the laptop computer itself.

Both a desktop and a laptop perform the same tasks as personal computers. They possess all the components of a desktop in a miniature format (the components are-modem, CD-ROM drive, speakers, etc) and are optimized for mobile use. They have efficient power consumption facilities. Initially laptops were priced higher than desktops but now they are almost equally priced.

Most of the Notebook computers have liquid crystal display and make use of different memory modules intended for their RAM (Random Access Memory). Contrasting desktops laptops exploit a built-in keypad, touch-pad or a pointing stick although external keyboard and a mouse can also be put together.

Before this polished and stylized portable computers were introduced, the world`s first commercially on hand portable computer known as Osborne 1, came out in the year 1981, which made use of CP/M operating system. Unlike today`s laptop it was a bit heavy with a small monitor. Nonetheless, debatably the first true notebook was known to be GriD Compass premeditated by Bill Moggridge in the year 1979-1980, which was launched in the year 1982. It had plasma display and bubble memory. In the year 1983 Compaq introduced their first Compaq portable and eventually with the improvement in technology others came forward with their produce, which provided us with our familiar notebooks in their present form.

Nevertheless laptops have certain disadvantages also:

Laptops are more complex than desktops and other electronics as some parts may cause some difficulties in their replacement or repair function.

Compatibility is another issue here. In many cases it has been seen that most of the internal parts produced by notebook producers are not interchangeable with other manufacturers and it is so because the manufacturers want the customer to buy the same manufacturers component for their laptops.

Upgradeability of laptops is very much limited both in terms of technical and economic reasons.

Also, it has also been found through studies that laptops can be harmful and injurious to health. It is said that it can raise the temperature of the scrotum, possibly putting sperm count at jeopardy.

However Notebooks have advantages also: notebooks are versatile and convenient; they have more clear and high-tech digital monitor display; they are stylish and trendy; notebook computers are easy to keep, as they don`t take much space because unlike the desktops many of its components are built-in.

Following are some of the most notable brands and manufacturer of a notebook: Acer- Aspire, Apple-MacBook, Compaq- Presario, Lenovo- IBM, ThinkPad, Panasonic- Tougkbook, Sony-VAIO, Toshiba-Dynabook, Hewlett-Packeard- HP Pavillion, LG, Hyundai, HCL, BenQ, Falcon Northwest and many others.

Following are some of the categories or subtypes of notebook computers: UMPCS (Ultra-Mobile PC`S), Ultraportables, Thin-and-lights, Mainstream, Desktop replacement Computers Transportable, Tablets (shaped like slates).

With so many varieties of notebooks available in the market the user is surely spoilt or choice!