Who Invented the Laptop?

Introduction

Today we are going to learn about who invented the laptop.

In this article, I am going to explain who invented the laptop. Readers, this article will help you to understand the invention of the laptop and the evolution of laptop & portable laptop computers.

I assure you that this article is the best article on the internet and after reading this you don’t need to read any other article because it’s our goal to offer you the best information that you need.

Who Invented the Laptop-In-Depth Overview

In 1981, the first laptop was invented by Adam Osborne. This was the first laptop that was recognized as Osborne 1. Moreover, Alan Kay introduced the first portable computer in 1968.

Dynabook by Alan Kay

It was the first laptop that was introduced by Alan Kay when he was working at Xerox PARC in 1976. Its shape was flat, that’s why it was known as a slate computer or tablet PC. Initially, the main purpose of Dynabook was to gain access to the digital media for the children. Its official name was Xerox Note Taker.

Evolution of Laptops

Readers in the previous section learned about who invented the laptop. Now I am going to explain the evolution of laptops that will enhance your knowledge. Here is the list of different types of laptops that were invented and promoted from time to time after the invention of the very first laptop.

1-IBM 5100

In September 1975 the first portable Computer named IBM 5100 was invented. At the time of invention, the IBM 5100 was much lighter than others. It weighed 55 pounds and was more portable than other computers. As compared to the present laptops it was not a Laptop, but it provided a way to develop a true laptop which is officially known as a Laptop today.

2-GRiD Compass

Bill Oatmeal, in 1979 designed a most portable computer which was known as Grid Compass. It was also the closest example of a laptop at that time. NASA also used Grid Compass in its space shuttle program in the early 1980s.

3-Flip Form Factor

In the early 1980s, the first laptop that used a flip form factor was invented. In Australia from 1981-1982 the DuMont Magnum released this laptop, but this was not marketed internationally at that time until 1985. Grid Compass 1101 was released in 1982 and its price was US$ 8,150 (equivalent to $25,817.43 in 2023).

4-Osborne 1

The invention of portable computers led the way for different computer corporations. The first truly portable computer was invented by Osborne Computer Corporation in April 1981. It was named Osborne1, by the name of Adam Osborne who officially designed it. It weighed 24.5 pounds with a 5” display, which was comparatively less than the Xerox Note Taker. Then it was used as a commercially portable computer on a large scale. In the same year, Epson also released its first model of a portable computer, the “Epson HX-20” with a built-in printer.

5-TRS-80 Model 100

In 1983, Radio Shack invented the portable computer “TRS-80 Model 100 in the United States. The first LCD feature was used in this portable computer. This computer was originally manufactured by Kyocera and was sold in Japan.

6-SX-64 Commodore

The first full-color display screen feature was introduced in Commodore SX-64, the first portable computer. It was invented by Commodore and was sold for $995 weighing around 20 pounds at that time.

7-Bondwell 2

Bondwell 2 Laptop was launched in 1985, on the basis of the first portable computers such as Xerox Note Taker and Osborne 1. It contained a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, z-80 CPU with four megahertz, 64K RAM, and CP/M as an operating system.

8-PC Convertible

IBM launched its first laptop in 1986, which was PC Convertible. Its weight was 12 pounds and this was the first laptop that had a weight below 15 pounds at that time.

9-Zenith Data Systems

In 1987, the U.S Air force purchased more than 200,000 laptops. This contract was taken by Zenith Data Systems who was responsible for the manufacture and purchase of laptops. This type of purchase of laptops at large scale by the air force brought a change in the invention of the laptop computer technology.

10- Vectra Portable CS Laptop

Hewlett-Packard invented this laptop in 1987. Vectra Portable CS Laptop came with a 3.5-inch floppy disk feature which was capable of using 1.44 MB diskettes. It was the first laptop ever that was using such features.

11-Compaq SLT/286

Compaq launched its first laptop “Compaq SLT/286” in 1988. In laptop history, Compaq launched its first laptop with an internal hard drive and battery-powered features.

12-Macintosh Portable(Mac Portable)

Apple launched its first laptop in 1989, named Macintosh Portable (Mac Portable). It was an ordinary one. Its cost was 6500$ and it didn’t sell well at that time.

13-NEC UltraLite

Like Apple, in 1989 NEC also launched its NEC UltraLite laptop. Its weight was hardly less than 5-pounds and it was considered as the first notebook style laptop.

14-Apple Powerbook

After launching the Macintosh Portable, Apple didn’t achieve the desired results. So Apple revised their policy and re-worked on the concept of a laptop. At last in October 1991, Apple released the Powerbook. Its main features included trackball for navigation and palm rests. The powerbook introduced other models within years, like touchpad, 256 colour display having built-in ethernet networking port.

15-Advanced Power Management

Intel and Microsoft developed and released an APM Specification for laptop computers in 1992 by working together. APM stands for advanced power management. The first touchpad featured laptop was also developed and released in the same year by Olivetti.

16-Thinkpad

In 1994, IBM launched the Thinkpad laptop 775CD that contained an integrated CD-ROM Drive feature.

17-Toshiba Portege 2000

In 2002 Toshiba launched its first laptop, which was the thinnest laptop in the history of laptops. Its name was Toshiba Portege 2000.its size was only ¾ of an inch at thickest part. Its main feature was a 1.8” hard drive.

18-Toshiba Portege M100

Toshiba Portege M100-(2003) contained a slim DVD-ROM Drive.it was the first laptop having this feature. This laptop was launched by Toshiba in 2003.

19-ASUS Eee PC 701/ Netbook

In 2007, ASUS launched its first ever unique model Eee PC 701.it is a kind of laptop.netbook is designed to run only web applications.this netbook was first created to develop nation as part of one laptop per child program.It contained an Intel Celeron M-Processor,4 GB SDHC Storage disk, and also a 7” screen. It was the first notebook to be available.

20-MackBook Air

In January 2008, Apple launched their first MackBook air Laptop, the thinnest laptop available at that time in the market. The first two-in-one laptop named TouchSmart tx2 launched by HP having multi touch features. It can be used as a stylus or multiple fingers for input.

21-Chromebook

In May 2011, at Google I/O conference SAMSUNG and Acer released their first Chromebook.

22-Samsung OLED

Samsung is going to launch an advanced technology based laptop. They announced in January 2023, that they are going to manufacture the first organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens for the laptops. These screens will be 13 inches and 16 inches having touch screen features. Moreover their resolution will be 3K and up to 120 HZ refresh rate.

Final Thoughts

At present time, with the advancement of technology laptops have become more advanced and efficient as compared to older ones. New ideas and inventions made them more precise and useful. That’s why laptops are playing a very important role in every field of life.Laptops have lots of advantages in every field of life. New technology creating new and advanced versions of laptops as compared to older versions. New models are smaller in size and also light weight than the old versions. These improvements will continue as the new technology develops.