Noting The Notebook’s Development

Also called a laptop computer, the Notebook is smaller than the desktop computer. With components assembled compactly and shaped like a digital display box, it is portable. Its weight ranges from 1 to 8 kilograms, depending on its content makeup.

A singular battery from an external AC/DC adapter usually powers the notebook. This adaptor charges the battery as it supplies power to the laptop. A 3-volt backup cell is usually present in many notebooks. For many notebooks, this supplies power when no steady power supply is available.

Although notebooks can do the same work as desktop computers, they are less powerful than the latter at the same price, as most parts in notebooks are miniaturized versions of those in desktop computer.

Usually, Notebooks have LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and they use separate memory modules for their RAM. They also have a touchpad (or trackpad) for a mouse and an in-built keyboard. External installments of these can also be attached.

Commercially, the first laptop (the name notebook was not feasible at that time as they were much bigger than the versions available now) was the Osborne I in 1981. The name ‘notebook’ was not given to it, as it was bigger than current versions. Still, despite being heavier and having a tiny CRT monitor, it revolutionised the business and industrial sectors.

Then in 1983, a better installment of the laptop or the `notebook` came - the Compaq Portable, a notebook version of the IBM Personal Computer then, which was Compaq’s first tech-product. It became popular, as it was more IBM-compatible and portable than previous laptops.

But arguably, the first notebook was the GRiD Compass 1101 released in 1982 by Bill Moggridge. It introduced the `clamshell` or the `notebook` design, where the LCD monitor remained shut against the keypad. Enclosed in a magnesium case, it could run on batteries.

The first Systems (ZDS), which competed with several other companies such as IBM, Toshiba, Compaq and others to notch up a deal with the U.S. Air Force for a contract of supplying commercially successful notebooks were from the SupersPort series from Zenith Data 200,000 notebooks in 1987. This made the laptop popular and penetrative to the business and affordable price ranges to the common consumers.

Although the notebook might seem powerful and mobile, it has its fallacies. Because parts of notebooks are miniaturized, compared with their equivalents in desktop computers, the notebooks are weaker. This miniaturisation also increases the prices of notebooks, which are generally more expensive than their desktop counterparts.
For good performance, notebooks require steady power supply despite their mobility.

In addition, the notebooks’ portability, makeup, integrated composite structure and design make them more vulnerable to shock, wear and physical damage than desktop computers. The purchase value of a new LCD screen or motherboard, if damaged, is more than the purchasing value of the entire notebook.

Generally, given the same price range, desktop computers perform more highly than notebooks. But with the advent of technology, this may not be true any longer, as consumers demand better use of energy and portability for their notebooks. As such, the use of desktop computers may be outmoded in the future.