laptops

Laptops are portable personal computers with an integrated screen, keyboard, pointing device, and power source designed for mobility. They are built to operate on battery power for extended periods and can be used in a variety of settings, from travel to classrooms and offices. Most models include a clamshell design with a lid that protects the display, a thin chassis, a rechargeable battery, and internal components such as a central processing unit, memory, storage, and a wireless subsystem.

Historically, portable computing evolved from early clamshells and notebook concepts in the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in modern laptops that emphasize compact form factors, energy efficiency, and performance. Common form factors today include traditional laptops, 2-in-1 convertible devices with touch or pen input, ultraportables or ultrabooks focused on light weight, gaming laptops with discrete graphics, and workstation-class machines with high-end CPUs and GPUs. Display sizes typically range from about 11 to 17 inches, with resolutions from HD to 4K in premium models.

Performance depends on processors, memory, storage, and graphics. Most laptops use solid-state drives for storage and may employ integrated or discrete graphics hardware. Battery life varies with usage and power management. Laptops run various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS, and offer connectivity such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C or Thunderbolt, and video outputs.

Maintenance considerations include keeping software up to date, managing thermals, and safeguarding data. When choosing a laptop, buyers assess portability, performance, battery life, display quality, storage, expandability, and price.