Talk:Portable computer

Rename
I find the name and scope of this article and its category confusing. It seems to be mainly about 1980s portables. I suggest renaming (both article and category) to "Early portable computers". Mirror Vax 17:33, 17 December 2005 (UTC)
 * What I find unclear is how this is distinct from mobile computer. (That article itself mentions that this is unclear.)  If this cannot be clarified, I think the articles/categories should be combined. &hArr; ChristTrekker 16:13, 18 December 2006 (UTC)
 * Here's how I understand the article: A mobile computer is a laptop computer or smaller. A luggable computer is larger than a laptop but more portable than a desktop, running on mains power; these include Kaypro products or, nowadays, a gaming minitower with an integrated LCD intended for LAN party use. A portable computer is a computer that is either mobile or luggable. But yes, I agree that LAN party PCs deserve at least a mention in this article. --Damian Yerrick (talk | stalk) 23:43, 19 August 2007 (UTC)

Do Not Merge Mobile Computing with Portable Computers
DO NOT RENAME:

Mobile computing (MC) is "a technology that allows transmission of data, via a computer, without having to be connected to a fixed physical link"(Koudounas and Iqbal: http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~nd/surprise_96/journal/vol4/vk5/report.html). The technology can be used in anything from a standard laptops to smartphones, USB flash drives (which are the future of mobile computing), tablets, scanners, RFID, ect. The list goes on and on. A clear distinction should be made between here. MC involves data only, while mobile communication can involve voice, data, etc. Let's skip the argument that voice becomes data during some forms of MC.

It is ridiculous to limit the definition of mobile computing. I do agree that the current description seems to only give examples of portable computers and more in depth information is needed. I am writing a paper for my MBA program today and will submit my findings for further review.

Greg Celentano: celentanog@pop.belmont.edu —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.82.99.253 (talk) 00:19, 24 June 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree. And, I've removed the banners from both pages. –p joe f (talk • contribs) 10:54, 14 December 2010 (UTC)

Subs
Can someone add the subnotebook category? I'm not sure how to phrase it, but it's basically a small laptop, that can be handled mor easily, unlike the sitting with two hands that was mentioned with the laptop

mobile computer
Should cross-reference this entry with mobile computer, which is the more current representation of this category.

IBM 5100
some mention should also be made of the IBM 5100, released in 1975, which qualifies it as the 'first portable computer' —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.125.110.223 (talk) 17:53, 31 August 2007‎ (UTC)
 * Done 19 October 2011‎. —Wbm1058 (talk) 17:02, 28 March 2012 (UTC)
 * The IBM 5100 was IBM's first portable computer, but it wasn't the first overall, for example the MCM/70 was released in 1974. 2A02:A03F:E822:1B00:5142:DB7B:4FEF:EB84 (talk) 08:02, 10 December 2022 (UTC)

Deleting Extra Apple Computers
So what if Apple made compact computers that are "practically a portable"?! Apple did not release an actual portable until 1989. Or shall we include all the compact computers from other companies, not just Apple?! In Correct (talk) 20:10, 5 May 2015 (UTC)

Other computers
I note that several other small "self-contained" computers are missing from this list, though unfortunately I don't recall their names.

In particular there was a Canadian APL-based box which, as best I can remember, predated the IBM 5100 by some months. I'm thinking the box was 8008-based. The IBM Rochester team working on the 5100 obtained one of these to examine.

And there was another one made by, I think, Tektronix which came out in the late 70s. I saw one of these while working on the 5110.

drh (talk) 01:57, 22 September 2016 (UTC)

morrow pivot
Should add the Morrow pivot I/Osborne 3 and Morrow pivot II/zenith Z-171 lunchbox computers. These were actually more portable than early laptops which needed a bulky external 5-1/4 drive (and separate chargers and AC adapters) to actually be useful. 73.31.133.132 (talk) 08:59, 30 June 2022 (UTC)