First Laptop in History

• Also released in 1981, was the Epson HX-20, a battery powered portable computer, with a 20-character by 4 line LCD display and a built-in printer.
• In January of 1982, Microsoft's Kazuhiko Nishi and Bill Gates begin discussions on designing a portable computer, based on using a new liquid crystal display or LCDscreen. Kazuhiko Nishi later showed the prototype to Radio Shack who agree to manufacture the computer.
• In 1983, Radio Shack released the TRS-80 Model 100, a 4 lb. battery operated portable computer with a flat and more of a laptop design.
• In February 1984, IBM announced the IBM 5155 Portable Personal Computer.
• Three years later in 1986, Radio Shack released the improved and smaller TRS Model 200.
• In 1988, Compaq Computer introduces its first laptop PC with VGA graphics - theCompaq SLT/286.
• In 1989, NEC UltraLite was released, considered by some to be the first "notebook style" computer. It was a laptop size computer which weighed under 5 lbs. (second photo)
• In September 1989, Apple Computer released the first Macintosh Portable that later evolved into the Powerbook. (second photo)
• In 1989, Zenith Data Systems released the Zenith MinisPort, a 6-pound laptop computer. (more Zenith laptops)
• In October 1989, Compaq Computer released its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE.
• In March 1991, Microsoft released the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse that used both mouse and trackball technology in a pointing device designed for laptop computers.
• In October 1991, Apple Computers released the Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, and170 - all notebook style laptops. (more on Powerbooks)
• In October 1992, IBM released its ThinkPad 700 laptop computer.
• In 1992, Intel and Microsoft release APM or the Advanced Power Management specification for laptop computers.
• In 1993, the first PDAs or Personal Digital Assistants are released. PDAs are pen-based hand-held computers.