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the lAptop revolution

A look At lAptop history

>1968
Alan Kay defines the Dynabook, the basis for all pen/tablet computers. Inventor Doug Engelbart introduces the mouse, e-mail, hypertext, collaborative editing, bitmapped graphics.

>1989
Macintosh Portable has a clamshell, active matrix display. GRiD Systems launches first commercial tablet-type portable computer with operating system based on MS-DOS.

>2000
Windows 2000 gains industrial-strength reputation for robustness and security for corporate users. Global laptop sales reach 28.5 million units.

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>1990
Windows 3.0 introduced. Worldwide laptop sales reach 2.4 million. Intel introduces 80386SL processor which uses low power; quickly incorporated into many laptops.

>2001
Mac OS X debuts. Windows XP debuts.

>1979
Bill Moggridge designs the clamshell notebook computer, the GRiD Compass.

>1980
IBM contracts with Microsoft to build an operating system, DOS, for its forthcoming personal computer.

>1991
Apple PowerBook introduces palm rest keyboard layout, a breakthrough in clamshell design. First laptop Ethernet port. Modem speeds reach 14,400 bits/sec.

>1982
GRiD Compass enters production. Not PC-compatible, but sleek, rugged, expensive. Intel introduces 80286 processor; too hot, too much power consumption for laptops. Hayes Smartmodem 1200 dominates dial-up communications.

>1992
First IBM ThinkPad: 700C is a tour de force in basic black. Pointing stick and touchpad; first TFT (thin-film transistor) color display. Windows 3.1 introduced. Gateway HandBook halves the size of the subnotebook, creates prototype for todays netbooks.
Fujitsu Lifebook

>2002
Tablet PCs from Compaq, Toshiba, HP Acer, Fujitsu, , NEC, Panasonic, others. Virtually all are convertibles, with keyboards. Toshiba Portege 2000 is worlds thinnest, lightest laptop to date, less than 3/4 inch at its thickest point. First 1.8 inch (20GB) hard disk. Fujitsu Lifebook P series is smallest machine with a CD-ROM; uses TransMeta Crusoe chip, another step towards modern netbooks.

>1993
Intel introduces the Pentium processor.

>1994
Netscape Navigator introduced. Web traffic rises 300,000 percent as sites come online. Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100

>1983
Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 100. Not PC-compatible, but under four pounds with 20-hour battery life from four AA batteries. Estimated six million units of the Model 100 and its descendents were sold. Data General DG One: PC-compatible notebook introduces 3.5 inch floppies. Gavilan SC is the first machine marketed as a laptop.

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>1995
Intel announces introduction of Universal Serial Bus, USB 1.0 Windows 95 incorporates advanced power management for laptops to conserve battery life. Worldwide laptop sales reach 10 million units. IBM ThinkPad 701, the Butterfly. Innovative keyboard expands keys beyond the body; keyboard folds in when lid closes. New Yorks Museum of Modern Art includes it in its design collection.

>2003
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Toshiba Portege M100 is first to adopt super-slim DVD drive. WiFi adapter/access point sales exceed 20 million per year.

>2005
Lenovo ThinkPad

>1984
Apple introduces the Macintosh.

>1996
First hardware with USB, not fully supported by Windows. Gateway Solo 2100: First Pentium laptop, first three spindle machine, with floppy, hard disk, CD-ROM. USRobotics introduces 56 kilobit modem.

>1985
Toshiba T1100 solidifies acceptance of 3.5 inch floppies. Microsoft introduces Windows 1.0. Kaypro 2000 is PC-compatible with removable keyboard in sleek clamshell case and pop-up disk drive.

>1997
First Toshiba Portege, the 300CT, has Pentium power, color screen, hard disk, good battery life in 3.25 pound package.

Laptop computers outsell desktops for the first time. Worldwide laptop sales reach 66.3 million units. Lenovo purchases ThinkPad line from IBM.

>1986
Introduction of IBM PC Convertible: 2 floppy drives with CGA-compatible LCD display, weighing 13 pounds.

>2006
Gateway Solo 9100 WiFi adapter/access point sales exceed 50 million per year. Apple switches to Intel processors.

>1987
Zenith SupersPort laptop sells especially well to the government and military in competitive bidding.

>2007
MacBook Air viewed by many as the first netbook. Worldwide laptop sales reach 126 million units.

NEC UltraLite

>2008 >1998
Windows 98 supports USB; has automatic device recognition. Gateway Solo 9100: Heavy, rugged multimedia Pentium notebook with universal bays for CD, hard drive, floppy, batteries. HP unveils the TouchSmart tx2 Notebook, first multi-touch notebook and tablet PC for consumers.

>2010
HDMI ports become common on laptops. Worldwide laptop sales projected at 170 million units. Apple iPad introduced.

>1988
NEC UltraLite: 4.4 pounds, diskless, first subnotebook with DOS in ROM and 2 megabyte RAM drive. First lithium-ion battery (NEC) requires special FAA ruling for airplane use. Compaq SLT/286 has internal hard drive with detachable keyboard; weighs 12 pounds, is battery powered.

>1999
WiFi consortium creates standard. Laptop manufacturers use PCI slot to enable WiFi connectivity.

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Apple brands WiFi as AirPort, incorporates a slot into all of its laptops.