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The creation of the modern laptop

arstechnica.com

1–10 of 26 posts

Re: The creation of the modern laptop

#2
How can you have a history of portable computing and not say a single thing about LCDs? The innovation that contributed most to adoption of notebook computers was the TFT screens with wider viewing angle and better colors. The article talks about the CNC used to make the sleek computers of today. But it wasn't any deficiency of manufacturing that made old laptops look boxy. They had to build the frames to block as much light as possible from interfering with the display.

Re: The creation of the modern laptop

#3

How can you have a history of portable computing and not say a single thing about LCDs? The innovation that contributed most to adoption of notebook computers was the TFT screens with wider viewing angle and better colors. The article talks about the CNC used to make the sleek computers of today. But it wasn't any deficiency of manufacturing that made old laptops look boxy. They had to build the frames to block as mu…

There were laptops with plasma screens (grid compass 2 = turret from 'Aliens'), or EL. At least plasma ones had no trouble with direct sunlight.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/rugrid-laptop

Re: The creation of the modern laptop

#8
post #7

> It is the result of trillions of hours of R&D over tens of thousands of years. Wow, I did not know that Ars was so much into hyperbole. That claim is just ridiculous.

It's not hyperbole but you could probably say the same about any modern computing device. Think about all the hours spent by the countless engineers designing all the individual components in a modern laptop. Now think about all the hours spent developing / iterating on previous versions of those components to get them to the point they are now.

It's very impressive.

Re: The creation of the modern laptop

#10
This article is a bit lacking in details. The GRiD Compass is not given credit for being the first computer with a clamshell case (also a plasma screen). Also, not mentioning the Tandy TRS-80 Model 100 is a crime in a discussion of how the modern laptop came to be.
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