Was the desktop PC invented first then the laptop?

Answer 1

Computers have successively shrunk in size as miniaturized electronics improved.

1. the earliest computers (vacuum tube) occupied several large equipment racks and weighed several tons.
2. the transistorized computers of the late 1950s and early 1960s rapidly reduced this.
3. the original DEC PDP-8 transistorized computer introduced in 1965 can be considered the first desktop computer, it was roughly the size of a compact refrigerator and weighed over 150 pound, but would fit on a desktop or table.
4. the introduction of simple integrated circuits made it possible for many minicomputers of the late 1960s and 1970s to be built as desktop computers.
5. the introduction of microprocessors in 1971 made microcomputers possible, but initially all were desktop computers.
6. the first attempts at portable computers (e.g. Osborn 1) had problems with display (i.e. small heavy CRTs) and powersupply technology (i.e. had to be plugged in) and heavy weight (e.g. at least 30 pounds).
7. the first true laptop was the GRiD Compass 1101 was released in 1983. With a price of almost $10000 it of course had a limited market at the time.

Therefor the desktop computer was made 18 years before the laptop computer.

Answer 2

Actually, I think the laptop was invented when man first learned to sit down. Oh, you mean the laptop computer!

Yes, the desktop computer came out first with the miniaturization of electronics eventually leading to the "luggable" computer such as a friend's Compaq computer that I saw when back in junior high. This was a unit that had a built-in green monochrome CRT screen, a 5-1/4" floppy drive (or was it two?), and a keyboard. The keyboard folded up in front of the screen and floppy drive(s) for transport. All together, this thing weighed about 30 pounds. Fortunately, it had a nice, strong carrying handle mounted atop its outer steel shell. Still, this was by no means something you wanted to cast about very often.

Laptops started appearing on the scene a few years later and something more like what we know today started making their way into the market around 25 years ago with color video being introduced in LCD panels around 22-23 years ago...but at a very high price tag. (The first one that I sold was to a doctor in Las Vegas and that was sold for no less than $10,000.)

If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a line. I am always glad to help.