In today’s era of feather-light laptops and sleek ultrabooks, it’s easy to forget the hefty history that portable computers carry. Have you ever wondered how much your first laptop weighed compared to the sleek machines of today? In this journey down memory lane, we’ll explore the evolution of portable computing and uncover the weighty truth about those pioneering laptops.
1. The Dawn of Portable Computing
Early Portable Computers
Before laptops became a household name, portable computing took various forms. Devices like the Osborne 1 and Kaypro II set the stage for what was to come. These “luggable” computers resembled small suitcases, and while they were portable compared to room-sized mainframes, they were far from today’s standards of mobility.
The Birth of Laptops
The term “laptop” emerged in the early 1980s with the release of the GriD Compass 1101, considered one of the first true laptops. However, it wasn’t until the Osborne 1 came along that a laptop-like device gained popularity.
2. The Weight of the First Portable Laptop
The Osborne 1: A Pioneer
The Osborne 1, released in 1981, is often credited as one of the first commercially successful portable computers. Its weight? A staggering 24.5 pounds (11.1 kg). To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the weight of four modern ultrabooks combined.
Competition Emerges
The competition quickly recognized the potential of portable computing, leading to the release of the Compaq Portable in 1983, weighing around 28 pounds (12.7 kg). These early laptops were indeed portable, but they required a considerable amount of effort to move around.
3. Evolution of Portable Computing
Slimming Down: The 1990s
As technology advanced, laptops shed pounds. By the 1990s, models like the IBM ThinkPad 701C, known for its “butterfly” keyboard, weighed around 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg). While still far from today’s standards, they were significantly lighter than their predecessors.
Modern Portability: Today’s Laptops
Fast forward to the present day, and laptops have transformed into sleek, lightweight devices. Ultrabooks like the MacBook Air and Dell XPS 13 weigh as little as 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg), offering an incredible contrast to their ancestors.