When was the laptop invented?

Answer 1

The first laptop concept that can be found was the "Dynabook" concept (not to be confused with Toshiba's Dynabook laptop line) developed by Alan Kay in 1968. No actual laptop was ever created however, it was simply the laptop concept that was thought up and described.

The first mass-produced portable computer was the "Osborne 1" which became available in 1981. This was a large and heavy machine about the size of a sewing machine, and had a 5" text only monitor. It used the CP/M operating system. It was not sold in large numbers at all.

Arguably the first true laptop made it's appearance in 1982. This was the GRiD Compass 1101. It introduced the familiar clamshell design with it's closing top, and it ran on batteries. It was not an IBM compatible computer, however, and its initial price was between $8 - 10k. Because of it's high price, it was not really a consumer product, but was used by the military and NASA on their work on the space shuttle during the 1980's. GRiD Systems was later bought by Tandy corporation (Radioshack).

Also released in 1982 another contender for the title of the first true laptop was the Dulmont Magnum, which made its appearance in Australia. This was the only laptop ever to be produced in Australia. It also had a clamshell design, and although it had a MS DOS 2.1 operating system, it wasn't really IBM compatible.

By 1983, many other manufacturers such as HP, Sharp, Sanyo, etc. began producing laptops and making them available on the consumer market.

The first IBM PC-compatable laptop made its appearance in 1983, as well. This was the Compaq Portable. It was still rather large and was not battery powered, but required AC power to run.

Answer 2

What is defined as a 'laptop' makes this question especially difficult.

Recent evolutions in mobile computing with the introduction of the 'Netbook', Tablet, and Ultrabooks further complicate the situation.

Mobile computing was a Palm Pilot or 'electronic organizer' before it was a laptop.

At the core of the question, the modern laptop can be traced back to the electronic calculator. The calculator dating back to it's invention at Texas Instruments in 1967.

Answer 3

The first laptop computer was created by Xerox Notetaker as a prototype in 1976. The first commercially available laptop was the Osborne 1, released in 1981.

Answer 4

The first laptop/portable computer was invented in 1981 by Adam Osborne. It was named the Osborne 1.

Answer 5

The laptop was invented by Adam Osborne in 1981.

1968

Answer 6

Laptops was invented in 1998
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