Friday, November 6, 2009

Laptops: The Mobile Computers

By Matthew Kerridge

combing the logistical function of mobility with the power and specifications of a desktop computer, a laptop computer is an excellent resource for individuals that need technology wherever, and whenever they want. Additionally, today's laptops provide more than just power on the go, as they have swarmed the computing market with wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that always keep them connected.

With processing speeds averaging around 2.2 GHz with recently introduced "dual-core processors", laptops are far superior to their younger sibling the netbook. Laptops range in size from 10" to 19", allowing room for much more powerful hardware, software, and features. Furthermore, memory for laptops can range from 1 GB to 8 GB, as compared to the 512 MB to 2 GB netbooks.

There a variety of laptop manufacturing companies including Acer, Apple, Compaq, Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Sony, and Toshiba, however, there are many more. Microsoft has provided Windows operating systems on the majority of laptops, as Apple's unique platform only spreads to around 11% of the computer using population. Although PC-based laptops offer a variety of models to target various markets, Apple is known for high-end, high-priced computers that have developed record-breaking earnings in a recessional time period.

Laptops have evolved quite a bit since the 1975, IBM 5100 portable computer. Offering hard drive options of up to 64 KB, these machines ranged in cost between $9,000 and $20,000. Today's 200 GB laptops can be purchased for as low as a few hundred dollars. Furthermore, the 5100 weighed about 55 pounds, while today's laptops can weigh as little as a pound. Although IBM's masterpiece seems like an anchor today, in 1975 the machine was a marvel of technology as computers at the time generally weighed around 1,000 pounds.

Most laptops open by flipping the screen up from the closed position, however a sister laptop called "Tablets" are also of the laptop family. A tablet requires a pen-like object called a stylus to navigate, as opposed to a mouse or track pad. The stylus works much like a mouse, but the user physically touches the screen with it to give commands to the computer. Tablets are also capable of interpreting handwriting when written on the screen with the stylus.

The market for laptops has drastically changed over the past decade, as the number individuals going to college have increased. Laptop manufacturers have met the demand of their college population with glossy, high-resolution screens, enhanced speakers, and even blu-ray disc players in addition to meeting their academic needs. Once a business and corporation driven product, is now found in homes, dormitories, and the workplace.

Laptops have given consumers more than just mobile computing power, but also mobile Internet power. With the introduction of wireless network cards, laptop users are able to connect to the Internet without the use of any wires from virtually any location. Today's laptops allow users to connect to the Internet from anywhere in the world to communicate with anyone in the world. - 22787

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