INTRODUCTION TO PORTABLE COMPUTERS

Portable Computers

Portable computers are fully functioning computers designed to be carried around easily.
This portability makes them very flexible. They can be used at home or in the office;
they can also be used at school, while on vacation, at off-site meetings, and other locations.
Like mobile devices, portable computers are designed to be powered by rechargeable
batteries so they can be used while on the go. While portable computers are essential
for many workers, such as salespeople who need to make presentations or take orders
from clients off-site, agents who need to collect data at remote locations, and managers
who need computing and communications resources as they travel, they are typically also
the computer of choice today for students and for individuals buying a new home computer.
In fact, portable computers now outsell desktop computers in the United States.

Portable computers are available in a variety of configurations.

Tablets are expected to outsell
laptops by 2016.

Notebook computers (also called laptop computers) are about the size of a
paper notebook and open to reveal a screen on the top half of the computer and a
keyboard on the bottom. They are typically comparable to desktop computers in
features and capabilities. Very thin and very light notebooks are often referred to as
sub-notebooks or ultra-portables; ultra-portables conforming to Intel’s standards can

be marketed as Ultra-books.

Computers that allow pen or touch
input—such as tablet computers—are
convenient in crowded situations, as
well as in places where the clicking
of a keyboard would be annoying to

others.

Tablet computers are typically about the size of a notebook computer and are designed
to be used with a digital pen/stylus or touch input. Unlike notebooks, they don’t have
a physical keyboard but they typically can use an on-screen or attached keyboard as

needed.

Portable computers (typically
netbooks) that run the Chrome
operating system are often referred

to as Chromebooks.

Hybrid notebook-tablet computers (also called convertible tablets) can function as
either a notebook or a tablet computer. Some have a display screen that folds shut to resemble a tablet; others are designed to separate the display from the keyboard when a tablet is needed.

Netbooks are similar to notebook computers but are smaller and have more limited
features, such as relying on cloud software and external DVD drives.

It is important to realize that while a portable computer offers the convenience of
mobility, it typically isn’t as comfortable to use for a primary home or work computer
as a desktop computer is, without additional hardware. For instance, many individuals
find it more convenient to connect and use a conventional monitor, keyboard, and mouse when using a notebook computer at a desk for a long computer session. This hardware can be connected individually to many portable computers via a wired or wireless connection; there are also docking stations and USB hubs that can be used to connect a portable computer easily to the hardware
devices that are attached to the docking station or USB hub.

>Portable computer. A small personal computer, such as a notebook or tablet, that is designed to be carried around easily.
>Notebook computer. A fully functioning portable computer that opens to reveal a screen and keyboard; also called a laptop computer.
>Tablet computer. A portable computer about the size of a notebook that is designed to be used with a digital pen. >Hybrid notebook-tablet
computer. A portable computer designed to function as both a notebook and a tablet PC. >Netbook. A computer that is smaller and has more
limited features than a notebook computer.

ASK TH E EXPERT

Martin Smekal, President and Founder, Tablet-Kiosk

Will tablet computers ever replace notebooks?

While we have seen a tremendous rise in awareness
and popularity of the tablet computer, we believe
that traditional notebook PCs will still have a place in
the mobile device market going forward. Tablets and
tablet PCs are incredibly effective and ergonomically
advantageous for mobility purposes, but there will
still be certain applications where a more traditional
computer with an integrated keyboard makes sense.
In the end, it will come down to what is the right
tool for the application. That said, there will likely be
applications where it makes sense to replace today’s
notebook with a more mobile-friendly tablet computing
solution. We see some portion of market share
held today by notebooks shifting in favor of the tablet

and tablet PC market over time.