Laptops

A laptop, also called a notebook computer or simply a notebook, is a small, portable personal computer with a “clamshell” form factor, having, typically, a thin LCD or LED computer screen mounted on the inside of the upper lid of the “clamshell” and an alphanumeric keyboard on the inside of the lower lid. The “clamshell” is opened up to use the computer. Laptops are folded shut for transportation, and thus are suitable for mobile use. Its name comes from “lap”, as it was deemed to be placed for use on a person’s lap. Although originally there was a distinction between laptops and notebooks, the former being bigger and heavier than the latter, as of 2014, there is often no longer any difference. Laptops are commonly used in a variety of settings, such as at work, in education, in playing games, Internet surfing, for personal multimedia and general home computer use.

Laptops combine the components, inputs, outputs, and capabilities of a desktop computer, including the display screen, small speakers, a keyboard, hard disk drive, optical disc drive, pointing devices (such as a touchpad or trackpad), a processor, and memory into a single unit. Most modern laptops feature integrated webcams and built-in microphones, while many also have touchscreens. Laptops can be powered either from an internal battery or by an external power supply from an AC adapter. Hardware specifications, such as the processor speed and memory capacity, significantly vary between different types, makes, models and price points.