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Laptop

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A typical laptop computer

A laptop computer (also known as notebook computer) is a small mobile personal computer, usually weighing around from 1 to 3 kilograms (2 to 7 pounds). Notebooks smaller than a DIN A4 sheet of paper and weighing around 1 kg are termed subnotebook and those weighing around 5 kg a desknote (desktop/notebook). They essentially contain the same components as their desktop counterparts, but miniaturized and optimized for mobile applications.

Predecessors of the laptop include the Osborne 1 and the Macintosh portable, both of which weighed 20-30 pounds but offered a mobile computing platform. The purchase cost of weight is mostly low in desktop computers and high in cheap laptops. Laptops are capable of similar tasks to desktop computers, they have many of the same components but are miniaturized. Laptops usually have LCDs for their screens and smaller SODIMM (Small Outline DIMM) chips for their RAM. They often have a touchpad or a pointing stick, but an additional computer mouse or keyboard can be attached.

Laptops are popular among students, travellers, and telecommuters. They replace a full, traditional computer. Most modern laptops use an active matrix display, with screen sizes 14 inches or larger. Many have PCMCIA expansion bays for expansion cards. Internal hard disks are smaller (2.5" compared to desktop computers which have 3.5"). Display adapters and sound cards are integrated. Laptop batteries usually last about 2-5 hours. Docking stations are used for expanding connectors and quickly connecting many components to the laptop. Modern laptops can handle games but can be limited by their display adapter type.

NiMH or LiIon batteries are used for the power supply and reach running times between 2 and 6 hours, depending upon current consumption of the equipment and the manufacture of the battery.

The desknote machine does without current saving technology for mobile use, has higher capacity batteries and more powerful components (from the desktop range) built into larger housings. The resulting products can be used like a laptop, however they were not built especially for mobility. Some desknotes do not use batteries at all and are used solely for portability and not mobile use.

See also

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