Laptops

A laptop computer which is also known as a notebook computer is a small easily portable computer which typically weighs between 3 to 12 pounds. Laptops are essentially mini versions of desktop computers which give people the opportunity to work and communicate from basically anywhere in the world.

These laptops are powered by a single main rechargeable battery or an external AC/DC adapter. Some of these batteries in recent times have received a bad rap as they have exploded and caught fire due to overheating but generally most laptops function quite efficiently with battery power and these batteries are very useful in the event of a power failure or if you want to use your laptop and are not located anywhere near a power outlet.

Laptops are made up of similar components as desktops but they are miniaturized versions of desktop computers and are usually equipped with liquid crystal displays and built in keyboards and touch pads. However you can attach a regular mouse and an external keyboard to a laptop as well. These devices often plug into one of the USB ports which are located on the laptop.

The earliest forms of laptops were called the Luggables and the first luggable was produced in the US by GM research in the mid 1970s. The luggable was a clunky contraption which was an all- in- one system. This luggable was not battery powered and extremely heavy as it had a full size motherboard located within its folds. As the liquid crystal and plasma displays were gradually developed over the years along with the internal batteries and the CD/DVD drives the Luggables gradually evolved into the modern sleek machine that is the laptop today.

Companies like Toshiba, Lenovo, Sony and Apple all manufacture various types of laptops. These laptops are available in a wide range of prices as well. Again the type and specifications of the laptop that you choose to buy depends on the use that you will have for your machine. Other factors that usually determine an individual's choice of the laptop are screen size, weight, battery life and communications ports.

The recently launched MacBook Air which weighs in at 3 pounds is one of the lightest laptops, that is available on the market today. This sleek ultra thin machine which is almost as wide as your index finger comes equipped with a 13.3 inch wide screen LED display and a full size keyboard and a multi track pad as well. It is also equipped with a slimmer hard drive and is wireless enabled to be fully compatible with modern day multimedia and online needs and seems to be trend setter in the new generation of ultra compact and weightless laptops.