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Published: September 25, 2006
Children, pets and food items have all found their way onto them: our laps, that is. They have each left their indelible impression on them (still laps). And, of course, many of those impressions have been negative.
But, whether a guacamole stain or biological excretion, none have left any stronger impression on us than the laptop computer.
When we think of laptops today, we think of efficiency, convenience, sleekness and performance. However, before getting into those particulars, we should take a quick glimpse into the laptop's history.
The first laptop released to the general public was as large as the decade that begot it. The Osborne 1 debuted in 1981 and was primarily used by corporate professionals. This laptop was spawned from the Xerox Note Taker (circa. 1976). At this time, early laptops were heavy and rather awkward. The Osborne 1 had a CRT monitor and a case similar to a small suitcase, "about the size of a portable sewing machine," not at all the way we now think of portability.
Phew! Thank, the God of Technology, the "size matters" principle does not apply to gadgets.
Like infants, we like our laptops to be small, cute, portable and easily manipulated. With all the same major components as a desktop – except smaller – laptops have a motherboard, processor, graphics and sound chips, heat sink and fan, card slots, and an LCD (liquid crystal display). However, laptop design is less geared toward handling large-scale tasks customary for desktops; laptops are mostly designed with energy efficiency (hence the compact batteries, usually Lithium Ion) and specific software functions.
Since, there are no real manufacturing standards or universal specifications, laptops are not easily upgraded, whereas desktops offer more flexibility and greater capacity. Despite this limitation, laptops are still on the cutting edge of multimedia with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies and interchangeable drives.
Laptops are another means of enslaving us to our work; no matter where we go – even if it's on vacation – there will be no excuse for leaving things undone, ever perpetuating the viciously combative cycle of work and rest.
Aside from energy and space economy, we consumers prefer our laptops to be much like our food and our dates: fast and cheap.
The tech market provides many more brands and models than ever before. This fact has affected pricing; top-of-the-line models remain priced in the thousands of dollars, but most now start in the $500 range, which is much cheaper and more appealing. Still, the leading laptop manufacturer, Apple, remains the most expensive because of its reputation for quality and edginess. Consumers are less likely to find a MacBook priced under $1099.99, unless it is a refurbished model.
For school, work or personal use, the laptop sits on us, like a heavy stone, pressing the very souls out of our bodies – but doing it conveniently and efficiently.
It defies conventional wisdom, saying, "You [can] take it with you!" But, for the workers of the Modern Age, the fearsome question rears: "Will I have to take it beyond this life?" Perhaps...
Sources:
Apple Store. 22 September 2006. .
HowStuffWorks. 22 September 2006. .
Tiger Direct. 22 September 2006. .
Wikipedia. 22 September 2006. .
But, whether a guacamole stain or biological excretion, none have left any stronger impression on us than the laptop computer.
When we think of laptops today, we think of efficiency, convenience, sleekness and performance. However, before getting into those particulars, we should take a quick glimpse into the laptop's history.
The first laptop released to the general public was as large as the decade that begot it. The Osborne 1 debuted in 1981 and was primarily used by corporate professionals. This laptop was spawned from the Xerox Note Taker (circa. 1976). At this time, early laptops were heavy and rather awkward. The Osborne 1 had a CRT monitor and a case similar to a small suitcase, "about the size of a portable sewing machine," not at all the way we now think of portability.
Phew! Thank, the God of Technology, the "size matters" principle does not apply to gadgets.
Like infants, we like our laptops to be small, cute, portable and easily manipulated. With all the same major components as a desktop – except smaller – laptops have a motherboard, processor, graphics and sound chips, heat sink and fan, card slots, and an LCD (liquid crystal display). However, laptop design is less geared toward handling large-scale tasks customary for desktops; laptops are mostly designed with energy efficiency (hence the compact batteries, usually Lithium Ion) and specific software functions.
Since, there are no real manufacturing standards or universal specifications, laptops are not easily upgraded, whereas desktops offer more flexibility and greater capacity. Despite this limitation, laptops are still on the cutting edge of multimedia with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies and interchangeable drives.
Laptops are another means of enslaving us to our work; no matter where we go – even if it's on vacation – there will be no excuse for leaving things undone, ever perpetuating the viciously combative cycle of work and rest.
Aside from energy and space economy, we consumers prefer our laptops to be much like our food and our dates: fast and cheap.
The tech market provides many more brands and models than ever before. This fact has affected pricing; top-of-the-line models remain priced in the thousands of dollars, but most now start in the $500 range, which is much cheaper and more appealing. Still, the leading laptop manufacturer, Apple, remains the most expensive because of its reputation for quality and edginess. Consumers are less likely to find a MacBook priced under $1099.99, unless it is a refurbished model.
For school, work or personal use, the laptop sits on us, like a heavy stone, pressing the very souls out of our bodies – but doing it conveniently and efficiently.
It defies conventional wisdom, saying, "You [can] take it with you!" But, for the workers of the Modern Age, the fearsome question rears: "Will I have to take it beyond this life?" Perhaps...
Sources:
Apple Store. 22 September 2006. .
HowStuffWorks. 22 September 2006. .
Tiger Direct. 22 September 2006. .
Wikipedia. 22 September 2006. .
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