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T h e La p t o p R e v o l u t i o n
>1968
Alan Kay defines the Dynabook, the basis for all
pen/tablet computers.
>1989
>
>
A look at
laptop
history
Macintosh Portable has a
clamshell, active matrix display.
Windows 2000 gains industrial-strength reputation
for robustness and security for corporate users.
GRiD Systems launches first commercial tablet-type
portable computer with operating system based on
MS-DOS.
Global laptop sales reach 28.5 million units.
>2001
>1990
Inventor Doug Engelbart introduces the mouse,
e-mail, hypertext, collaborative editing,
bitmapped graphics.
>2000
Mac OS X debuts.
Windows 3.0 introduced.
Windows XP debuts.
Worldwide laptop sales reach
2.4 million.
>1979
Intel introduces 80386SL processor which uses low
power; quickly incorporated into many laptops.
Bill Moggridge designs the clamshell notebook
computer, the GRiD Compass.
>1991
>1980
Apple PowerBook introduces palm rest keyboard
layout, a breakthrough in clamshell design.
IBM contracts with Microsoft to build an
operating system, DOS, for its forthcoming personal
computer.
First laptop Ethernet port.
Modem speeds reach 14,400 bits/sec.
>1982
GRiD Compass enters production. Not PC-compatible, but sleek, rugged, expensive.
>1992
Intel introduces 80286 processor; too hot, too
much power consumption for laptops.
First IBM ThinkPad: 700C is a tour de force in basic black. Pointing stick and touchpad; first TFT
(thin-film transistor) color display.
Hayes Smartmodem 1200 dominates dial-up
communications.
Windows 3.1 introduced.
Fujitsu Lifebook
>2002
Gateway HandBook halves the size of the subnotebook, creates prototype for today’s netbooks.
Tablet PCs from Compaq, Toshiba, HP, Acer, Fujitsu,
NEC, Panasonic, others. Virtually all are convertibles,
with keyboards.
>1993
Toshiba Portege 2000 is world’s thinnest, lightest
laptop to date, less than 3/4 inch at its thickest point.
First 1.8 inch (20GB) hard disk.
Intel introduces the Pentium processor.
>1994
Fujitsu Lifebook P series is smallest machine with a
CD-ROM; uses TransMeta Crusoe chip, another step
towards modern netbooks.
Netscape Navigator introduced. Web traffic rises
300,000 percent as sites come online.
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100
>
>1983
>1995
>2003
>
Intel announces introduction of Universal Serial Bus,
USB 1.0
Radio Shack introduces the TRS-80 Model 100. Not
PC-compatible, but under four pounds with 20-hour
battery life from four AA batteries. Estimated six million
units of the Model 100 and its descendents were sold.
WiFi adapter/access point sales exceed 20 million
per year.
Windows 95 incorporates advanced power management for laptops to conserve battery life.
>2005
Worldwide laptop sales reach 10 million units.
Data General DG One: PC-compatible notebook introduces 3.5 inch floppies.
Toshiba Portege M100 is first to adopt super-slim
DVD drive.
IBM ThinkPad 701, the “Butterfly.” Innovative
keyboard expands keys beyond the body; keyboard
folds in when lid closes. New York’s Museum of Modern Art includes it in its design collection.
Gavilan SC is the first machine marketed as a “laptop.”
>1984
Lenovo ThinkPad
>1996
Apple introduces the Macintosh.
First hardware with USB, not fully supported by
Windows.
>1985
Gateway Solo 2100: First Pentium laptop, first “three
spindle” machine, with floppy, hard disk, CD-ROM.
Toshiba T1100 solidifies acceptance of 3.5 inch
floppies.
USRobotics introduces 56 kilobit modem.
Microsoft introduces Windows 1.0.
Kaypro 2000 is PC-compatible with removable keyboard in sleek clamshell case and pop-up disk drive.
>1986
>1997
Laptop computers outsell desktops for the first time.
First Toshiba Portege, the 300CT, has Pentium
power, color screen, hard disk, good battery life in
3.25 pound package.
Lenovo purchases ThinkPad line from IBM.
Worldwide laptop sales reach 66.3 million units.
>2006
Introduction of IBM PC Convertible: 2 floppy
drives with CGA-compatible LCD display, weighing
13 pounds.
WiFi adapter/access point sales exceed 50 million
per year.
Gateway Solo 9100
Apple switches to Intel processors.
>1987
>2007
Zenith SupersPort laptop sells especially well to the
government and military in competitive bidding.
MacBook Air viewed by many as the first netbook.
Worldwide laptop sales reach 126 million units.
NEC UltraLite
>2008
>1998
HP unveils the TouchSmart tx2 Notebook, first
multi-touch notebook and tablet PC for consumers.
Windows 98 supports USB; has automatic device
recognition.
>2010
Gateway Solo 9100: Heavy, rugged multimedia Pentium
notebook with universal bays for CD, hard drive, floppy,
batteries.
>1988
>1999
NEC UltraLite: 4.4 pounds, diskless, first subnotebook with DOS in ROM and 2 megabyte RAM drive.
WiFi consortium creates standard.
Worldwide laptop sales projected at 170 million
units.
Apple iPad introduced.
Laptop manufacturers use PCI slot to enable WiFi
connectivity.
First lithium-ion battery (NEC) requires special FAA
ruling for airplane use.
Compaq SLT/286 has internal hard drive with detachable keyboard; weighs 12 pounds, is battery powered.
HDMI ports become common on laptops.
>
Apple brands WiFi as AirPort, incorporates a slot into
all of its laptops.
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