Laptops

In this section we define what are laptops and explore their present popularity in society.

What??

When we hear the term "desktop computerAn independent personal computer which fits conveniently onto desks and individual work spaces.", we imagine lots of cables and a huge bulky monitor and computer system box, but what comes to our minds when we hear the term "laptop"?

A laptop, also known as a notebook, is a portable version of the personal computer small enough to fit directly into our laps! No cables, no wires, no fuss! Just take a quick glace at the backside of your desktop PC. What do you see? A maze of wires everywhere!

Everything in the laptops is built in, like the keyboard, mouse, processor, memory, hard drive and batteries, minimizing the complexity of cords and connections present in the desktop computer.

Popularity

Laptops are to desktops as cordless phones are to landlines. Their mobility is the main reason why they are so popular.

With increasing processing power, wireless technology, longer battery life and an advantage of mobility and flexibility, laptops are replacing desktop computers at an alarming rate. According to a market research conducted by iSuppli, global laptop shipments have overtook that of desktops for the first time in the third quarter of 2008.

Made as a convenient fill-in for times we could not use a desktop model, they were so versatile and handy, that many people, especially those who were often on the go, chose to replace their old desktop models for laptops.

By the look of it, the popularity of laptops are definitely set to increase, as they allow us to fully utilize technology for not only work and education purposes, but also for leisure across all age groups.

What is more, the prices are decreasing while functions improving every year, making them more affordable for the masses and an ever greater influence in our everyday life.

Acknowledgements:

1. Marcin Wichary for the image. (28th March 2009)