Monday, September 13, 2010

Concept Laptops

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/31/slick-laptop-designs-and-concepts/


This laptop looks really sleek and professional. The screen stretches right to the edges to utilize space and the keyboard is touch screen which also adds to the professional look.

http://portal.cdn.erodov.net/news/news/Rolltop%20Vertical%20copy.jpg


This looks like quite a small laptop, but I like the way the edges have been cut to give it more of a geometric feel.


http://www.devicedaily.com/laptops/smartbook-the-mobility-computing-device-of-the-future.html


I really like how the keyboard has cut out shapes, it makes it visually interesting. I also like the curved edges and the slight bit of bright colour.

http://ssubzzero.multiply.com/journal/item/517


The way the screen stands up by utilizing the base of the laptop is a good idea, however you would have to make sure it was quite light so it wouldn't be damaged if it fell over.

http://www.yousaytoo.com/15-future-laptop-concepts-part-3/258199


I like the shape of this laptop however I think it would make viewing things difficult because of the split screen.

http://www.yousaytoo.com/15-future-laptop-concepts-part-3/258199


The screen on this laptop slides out to reveal a touch screen keyboard. I like the way it curves slighty, it makes the form look more interesting.

http://www.gizmowatch.com/entry/concept-laptop-that-s-classic-valentine-typewriter-of-today/


This laptop looks like an old typewriter. Although it would be quite bulky I think it is quite interesting because of the way the keyboard pulls out like a drawer and the screen pulls up.


http://smart-parts.net/blog/?tag=asus


This is a gaming laptop that pulls out to make the screen bigger so your gaming experience is enhanced.


http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/31/slick-laptop-designs-and-concepts/


The colour of this laptop makes it look very professional and I like the way that the screen and the keyboard can seperate. The keyboard is really flat which makes it more portable and the stand feature for the screen is a really good idea. You could stand it up to display pictures or slideshows for meetings.


http://ssubzzero.multiply.com/journal/item/517


I like the colour of this laptop, I think the white and grey makes it look very clean. I also like how the screen folds over to make it a tablet.

http://ssubzzero.multiply.com/journal/item/517


This is a travel laptop, It is extremely compact and folds up into a small bag that has a map on it. I also like the way the screen has a small curve in it.

http://smart-parts.net/blog/?tag=asus


This laptop has a screen that when turned off looks like just a glass panel. This makes it look really interesting and visually appealing.

http://smart-parts.net/blog/?tag=asus


This is more of a desktop concept but I like the way the screen is framed on the sides and then left open at the top.


http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/31/slick-laptop-designs-and-concepts/


In regards to the first laptop, the screen swivels and with the second laptop, the screen pulls up and out. Both of these make it extremely easy to show people your screen and share your work, and makes it more versatile.


http://smart-parts.net/blog/?tag=asus


'Canvas' can be used as a tablet and a laptop - you pull the screen out and up. Looks really simple to use however the layout is very typical of your everyday laptop (not very original).


http://smart-parts.net/blog/?tag=asus


The 'B-membrane' is operated by a touch keyboard which lights up a turquoise colour when turned on. The overall design is very alien-like. Instead of using an actual screen it projects a screen onto any flat surface.

http://ssubzzero.multiply.com/journal/item/517


The 'Siafu' concept notebook is designed for the blind. It uses brail and images are converted into 3D shapes on the laptop.


http://www.concept-phones.com/wtwp/phones-wtwp-episode-ii-droll-laptop-concept/


This is called the d-roll laptop, it's a really unique concept that has been thought about a lot. The screen is pulled out of the tube and the keyboard is a really interesting shape. It also has a handle to carry it around.

Feminine Concept Laptops

This 'HP' laptop concept is an oval shaped, bright pink laptop which immediately reminds you of femininity. The makeup and nail compartment also reinforces the idea. The screen even switches to a mirror when turned off. However the layout is still very standard.

The colours of this 'HP' laptop make it quite youthful. I don't think it would be very good for serious business meetings, although it folds up to look like a briefcase, which is a bit contradicting.

The clear plastic allows this HP concept laptop to very customizable because when you change the lights on the screen/keyboard it looks like the whole laptop is a different colour.

The floral patterns on this laptop make it feminine and accompanied with the green colour, gives it a very earthy feel.

The floral pattern, the curved design and the petite size is what gives this laptop its feminine feel. The shape almost makes it feel like a CD case.

Photos from:
http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2010/06/03/petill-laptop-concept-_02_THKy5_17621.jpg

http://jaipurithub.blogspot.com/2010/01/hp-concepts-laptop-for-women.html


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Current Types of Laptop Computers

Laptops are usually notebook-shaped and are usually designed in the flip form factor to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed.

http://www.cyberindian.net/wp-content/uploads/compaq-presario-cq40-108tu-notebook.jpg




Modern tablet laptops have touch screens which allow you to draw on it with a compatible pen. They have a complex joint between the keyboard housing the display permitting the screen to swivel and then lie flat on the keyboard.


http://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Fujitsu-LifeBook-P1610-Tablet-PC.jpg




Netbooks are smaller, lighter, more portable laptops. They are usually cheaper than a full-size laptop, but have fewer features and less computing power. Smaller keyboards can be more difficult to operate.


http://smart-parts.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/dell-netbook.jpg



Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop

Size & Weight

Typical dimensions: between 27x22cm (13"display) and 39x28cm, (17" display)

Typical thickness: ranges from about 18mm - 38mm

Typical weight: modern laptops weigh between 1.4 and 5.4 kg


Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop



The Laptop Computer History Timeline

1981: Osborn 1 system created. The Osborn 1 wasn't tiny; it

was similar in size to a sewing machine and required a power outlet to run. Early business adapters were intrigued, but ultimately it failed due to unwieldy size and an inability to run on battery power.


http://inventors.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://oldcomputers.net/osborne.html


1982: GRID Compass debuted. The first real laptop, the GRID Compass was truly portable, with the folding design we know today and the ability to operate on battery alone. The GRID Compass was expensive and incompatible with IBM, so it was therefore used almost solely by NASA. Nevertheless, it was pivotal in the history of the laptop computer.


http://augmentedrealitywiki.com/images/d/d4/Grid-Compass.jpg



1983: Compaq Portable and Epson HX-20 introduced. The Compaq Portable was the first laptop compatible with the IBM operating system and MS-DOS, making it easy to switch data back and forth between laptops and desktop computers. However, the Epson HX-20 had an edge in that it operated on rechargeable batteries, whereas the Compaq Portable required a power outlet. These were the first commercially successful laptops.



http://www.cedmagic.com/history/compaq-portable.jpg


1983: Kyocera Kyotronic 85 released. One of the most wildly popular early laptops, the Kyocera Kyotronic 85 was small and inexpensive, running on AA batteries and measuring about the size of a paper notebook. With some of the first commercial Microsoft programs and an internal modem, the Kyotronic set the tone for laptops to come, although it lacked the traditional laptop clamshell case.


http://oldcomputers.net/pics/trs80-100.jpg


1986: IBM launches its first laptop. IBM was the standard for desktop computers, so laptops had to be IBM compatible to be viable in the marketplace. IBM launched the IBM PC Convertible in 1986 to moderate success.


http://www.computercloset.org/IBM_PC_Convertible.jpg


1987: Toshiba laptop introduced. Like the IBM portable, the Toshiba T1000 and T1200 included IBM compatibility and MS-DOS. These laptops were lightweight and small, but still not commercially successful.

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/toshiba_t1000_from-toshiba_1.jpg


1987: Zenith Data Systems won an important US Air Force contract. ZDS won a bid to produce 200,000 laptops for the US Air Force in 1987. This was a noteworthy development because ZDS partnered with Japanese manufacturers to produce hardware and reduce costs.


http://www.nadbor.pwr.wroc.pl/yesterpc/Hardware/Heathkit%20SupersportSX/slideshow/IMG_1151.JPG



1988: Compaq SLT/286 introduced VGA graphics. Compaq was the first laptop manufacturer to produce a machine that could display VGA graphics. It was lightweight and battery-powered with an internal hard drive.


http://www.obsolete-tears.com/photos/Compaq-SLT286-Ouvert.jpg


1989: Macintosh Portable was the first Apple laptop. The first Apple laptops were large and bulky and not particularly successful, but marked Apple's foray into the laptop market.


http://www.newlaunches.com/entry_images/0307/22/macintosh_portable.jpg


1991: Apple PowerBook brought Apple into the laptop age. Unlike the Macintosh Portable, the PowerBook was truly portable. The PowerBook also included a palm rest and a pointing device, which became the standard for future laptop designs.


http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2008/10/powerbook100.jpg




Information from: http://www.life123.com/technology/computer-hardware/laptop/laptop-computer-history.shtml