Do It Yourself

, we actually imply small PCs for mobile use.

We can virtually retrieve all the basic components in laptops from desktops. Thus, laptops have a display screen, a built in keyboard, a pointing device replacing the mouse and a battery power source. The difference lies in the fact that all these components are to be found into one single unit that is also portable. The rechargeable batteries of laptops get their power from an AC/DC adapter and their capacity enables them to be functional for several hours.

The thin shape of the devices definitely led to their being called notebook computers. Laptops are usually 0.7 – 1.5 inches thick and their dimensions range from 10×8 inches (13 inch display) to 15×11 inches (17 inch display) or up. Furthermore, laptops are built light, weighing no more than twelve pounds. Last but not least, the flipping feature allows for a good protection of the screen and makes portability possible.

Personal computers were produced for the first time at the beginning of the 1970s and not long after those years the idea of portable PCs – laptops, appeared. The person who imagined the transformation was Alan Kay of Xerox PARC. In 1972 he put his idea on paper under the name of Dynabook. The first laptops were available on the market only in 1981. The Epson HX-20 and Osborne 1 models were the first portable computers available for public use. Since then laptops have developed and become more and more proficient.

Unfortunately, besides the obvious advantages of laptops, there are also some disadvantages. First we need to see the good parts to be able to investigate the flaws. The main and most important advantage of laptops is evidently the flexible use they are suitable for. Moreover, laptops have the ability to work on battery power in the event of a power outage. Furthermore, the computer will is more economical and will use less electricity and generate a lower amount of heat as compared to desktops. The disadvantages of laptops come from the standardization and compatibility issues. Despite of some international standards for the making of the elements for the peripherals and add-in PC cards in desktop computers, the processor and hard driver manufacturing part does not fall subject to any international regulation yet.