American computer magazine mentioned in 1996 that Compaq introduced a notebook computer in 1982+065438+ 10, which weighs 28 pounds (about 14 kg), and should be regarded as the earliest prototype of notebook computer. However, IBM refuses to accept this statement, insisting that a notebook computer named PC Convertible developed in 1985 is the real "originator" of notebook computers.
Americans quarrel endlessly, and the Japanese on the other side of the ocean are not happy. Because they think that the first real notebook computer in the world is Toshiba T 1000, which was introduced in 1985. It uses Intel 8086 CPU, 5 12KB RAM, 9-inch monochrome display, no hard disk and can run MS-DOS operating system.
In fact, the key to the dispute over who made the first notebook computer lies in the different understanding of the predecessor of notebook computer between Japanese and Americans. In the early 1980s, after IBM developed personal computers, people dreamed of developing a portable computer product. 1983, the concept of "notebook computer" was first put forward by National Electronic Magazine and later evolved into "notebook computer". At that time, companies including Apple, IBM and Compaq all launched this product. In the eyes of Americans, it is the development of "notebook computer" that gives birth to notebook computer.
At the same time, in Japan, Toshiba, Panasonic and Sony are keen to develop a product called "Mobile PC", which is based on IBMPS/2 system and uses external power supply. Strictly speaking, the "mobile PC" developed by the Japanese at that time was closer to today's notebook computers. In particular, Japanese manufacturers emphasize portability in the process of developing "mobile PC", which is in stark contrast to the "notebook computer" designed by Americans. More importantly, it was after the launch of Toshiba T 1000 that various new technologies and products related to notebook computers appeared one after another, and the market began to develop rapidly.
In 200 1 year, the Journal of American Computer Association wrote in a report commemorating the 20th anniversary of the birth of PC, "1985, Toshiba introduced T 1000, which brought the concept of' notebook computer' to people for the first time."
Time of Heroes
Throughout the 1990s, heroes emerged in the field of notebook computers.
At the beginning of its birth, due to the limitation of technology, most notebook computers were huge and unstable, and this market was in a state of stagnation for a long time.
1989, the hero who saved the notebook computer finally appeared, that is, Intel Corporation, which mainly developed chips. 1989 introduced 386SL low-power CPU, and the startup frequency was 16MHz, which was the first dedicated CPU for notebook computers in history, effectively reducing the calorific value and volume of notebook computers. Since 1994, Intel has successively developed some special technologies for notebook CPU, such as VoltageReduction, ClockGating and Quickstart. Later, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, said in a TV interview that Intel's decision to divide the notebook product line accelerated the development of notebook computers for at least ten years.
The second hero is Toshiba of Japan. 1990, when people were still arguing about the existence value of notebook computers, Toshiba successfully developed the first color screen notebook computer T5200C, but this move did not win much applause at that time. In the new year's science and technology outlook, Nihon Keizai Shimbun commented on the new T5200C: "Will people favor this computer product with a display screen smaller than 10 inch? Its prospects are hard to say. "
However, Toshiba has a firm commitment to notebook computers. A year later, T3200SXC notebook computer was launched, which was the first commercial notebook computer with color TFT display. Although today's Toshiba has no advantage in the notebook computer market, for a long time, it was Toshiba that continuously introduced its own products in this field, which led to the continuous development of the entire notebook computer market.
There is another hero in the field of notebook computers, and that is IBM, the "father of PC". In fact, IBM has been involved in the field of notebook computers for a long time, but it has never launched an influential product throughout the 1980s. This situation continued until 1994. In June 5438+10, IBM launched the world's first notebook computer ThinkPad 755cd with optical drive, which became a watershed in the development history of notebook computers. Taking this as a starting point, notebook computers have moved from pure commercial use to a broader diversified market.
1995, IBM introduced ThinkPad 70 1C, which is called "art classic". This notebook computer weighs only 4 Jin, and the whole model is like a butterfly with its wings spread. Due to the perfect combination of artistry and high technology, ThinkPad 70 1C was later permanently collected by new york Museum of Modern Art. ..
Smaller and faster development trend
Since the late 1990s, notebook computers have shown a smaller and faster development trend.
From 65438 to 0996, XGA screens began to appear in a large number of notebook computers, which greatly improved the popularity of notebook computers and maintained their slim figure.
The development of hard disk has also promoted the "slimming" of notebook computers. 1985 Toshiba's T 1000 is not equipped with a hard disk, which is very inconvenient to use. For a long time after that, the hard disk capacity of notebook computers has been hovering between 500 MB and 800 MB. In the 1990s, IBM applied MR head technology to hard disks, which made the hard disks of individual users exceed 1gb, and the capacity of notebook computers also increased. 1995, IBM ThinkPad 760 laptop was equipped with 1.2GB hard disk.
With the increasing capacity, the size of notebook computer hard disk is getting smaller and smaller. At first, the hard disk thickness of notebook computer exceeded 17mm, which made the notebook computer basically have no compression space; At the end of 1990s, the manufacturer reduced the thickness to12.5 mm; ; At the beginning of this century, 9.5mm hard disk gradually became popular. At the same time, the diameter of the hard disk is also shrinking quietly. The diameter of the hard disk of a traditional notebook computer is 2.5 inches. By the beginning of 2002, Toshiba had introduced two epoch-making 1.8 inch internal hard disk products: MK 1003GAL and MK2003GAH. The capacity of MK 1003GAL is 10GB, and a disk is only 5 mm thick. Subsequently, other manufacturers also produced their own 1.8 inch products.
200 1 notebook computer has finally made a breakthrough in 3D display. ATi and NVIDIA, two graphics chip giants, began to set foot in the field of notebook computer graphics cards, and notebook computers entered the high-performance 3D era. NVIDIA GeForce 2 Go display chip enables notebook computers to display 3D effects more smoothly, and the power consumption is only about 0.5W, which is about half the size of desktop computers. In March 2003, Centrino mobile computing technology came out, which once again pushed the notebook computer into a new era of wireless communication. While enhancing portability, it has more powerful functions.
In addition, the development of ultra-thin optical drive, TFT LCD screen, lithium battery and wireless communication technology has also promoted the development of notebook computers in a lighter and thinner direction.