Chapter 1
The Portable Computing Quest
In This Chapter
Understanding portable computing
Reviewing laptop history
Discovering modern laptops
Getting to know the subnotebooks
Recognizing the tablet PC
It was Eugene’s idea. One summer day, in his 42nd year, he noted how pleasant the weather was outside. He was inspired to attach wheels to the room-size, vacuum tube computer. Then he and the other three computer scientists, despite their utter lack of muscle tone, pushed the 17-ton beast out of the lab to work outside. It was this crazy notion that sparked the portable computer revolution.
Today the revolution continues. Computers are not only shrinking — they’re becoming more portable. Their names represent a pantheon of portable PC potential, including portables, laptops, notebooks, netbooks, Ultrabooks, convertibles, and tablets. Indeed, portable computing has a rich history, from the first dreams and desires to the multitudinous options now available.
The History of Portable ...
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