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History of Laptops Timeline

(1975 - Present)

The history of laptops traces the evolution of portable computing from early briefcase-sized machines like the Osborne 1 to today's lightweight ultrabooks, convertible 2-in-1s, and powerful gaming notebooks. Key milestones include the first clamshell laptop designs, the introduction of lithium-ion batteries, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the rise of thin-and-light form factors powered by energy-efficient processors. Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Portables

Portal based on Intel 8085 processor

1980

The Portal was based on an Intel 8085 processor, 8-bit, clocked at 2 MHz, making it one of the earliest portable microcomputers.

Image source: Portal (video game)

Portal based on Intel 8085 processor

R2E Micral Portal portable microcomputer debuts

Sep 1980

The portable microcomputer 'Portal', of the French company R2E Micral CCMC, officially appeared in September 1980 at the Sicob show in Paris. It was designed and marketed by the studies and developments department of R2E Micral at the request of CCMC, a company specializing in payroll and accounting.

Osborne 1 weighs 11 kg and costs $1,795

1981

The Osborne 1 weighed close to 11 kg (24 lb) and was priced at US$1,795 (equivalent to $6,357 in 2025), bundling software that made it a popular early portable.

Image source: Osborne 1

Osborne 1 weighs 11 kg and costs $1,795

Epson HX-20 announced

1981

The first significant development towards laptop computing was announced in 1981: the 8/16-bit Epson HX-20, a battery-powered handheld computer with a built-in printer.

Image source: Epson HX-20

Epson HX-20 announced

Adam Osborne founds Osborne Computer

Apr 3, 1981

Adam Osborne founded Osborne Computer and produced the Osborne 1 on April 3, 1981, launching one of the first commercially successful portable computers.

Image source: Osborne Computer Corporation

Adam Osborne founds Osborne Computer

Compaq Portable, first PC-compatible portable

1982

The Compaq Portable was the first PC-compatible portable computer, created in 1982 by Compaq Computer Corporation.

Image source: Compaq Portable

Compaq Portable, first PC-compatible portable

Epson HX-20 goes on sale

Jul 1982

The Epson HX-20 was sold from July 1982 and is widely regarded as an important precursor to modern laptop computers.

Kyocera Kyotronic 85 launched

1983

The year 1983 also saw the launch of what was probably the biggest-selling early laptop, the 8-bit Kyocera Kyotronic 85, owing much to the design of the previous Epson HX-20.

Image source: TRS-80 Model 100

Kyocera Kyotronic 85 launched

Kyotronic 85 licensed as TRS-80 Model 100

1983

Although at first a slow seller in Japan, the Kyotronic 85 was quickly licensed by Tandy Corporation, Olivetti, and NEC, who marketed it respectively as the TRS-80 Model 100 line (or Tandy 100), Olivetti M-10, and NEC PC-8201.

Compaq Portable first shipment

Mar 1983

The Compaq Portable's first shipment was in March 1983 and it was priced at US$2,995 (equivalent to $9,992 in 2025).

Data General/One introduced

1984

Data General's introduction of the Data General/One (DG-1) in 1984 is one of the few cases of a minicomputer company introducing a breakthrough PC product.

Image source: Data General/One

Data General/One introduced

Bondwell 2 CP/M laptop released

1985

Although it was not released until 1985, well after the decline of CP/M as a major operating system, the Bondwell 2 is one of only a handful of CP/M laptops.

Clamshell and Notebook Era

Dulmont Magnum designed in Australia

1982

The first contender for true laptop computing was the 16-bit Dulmont Magnum, designed by David Irwin and John Blair of Dulmison, Australia, in 1982.

Image source: Dulmont Magnum

Dulmont Magnum designed in Australia

Grid Compass, first clamshell laptop

1982

The first clamshell laptop, the Grid Compass, was made in 1982. Its folding design became the template for virtually all future laptops.

Image source: Grid Compass

Grid Compass, first clamshell laptop

Grid Compass limited by high price

1982

The Grid Compass was not IBM-compatible, and its high price (US$8,000–10,000, equivalent to $27,000–33,000 in 2025) limited it to specialized applications such as government and military use.

Sharp PC-5000 and Gavilan SC announced

1983

Two other noteworthy early laptops were the Sharp PC-5000 (similar in many respects to the Dulmont Magnum) and the Gavilan SC, announced in 1983 but first sold in 1984, with Gavilan filing bankruptcy the same year. Both ran the 8/16-bit Intel 8088 CPU.

Image source: Gavilan SC

Sharp PC-5000 and Gavilan SC announced

Dulmont Magnum released in Australia

Sep 1983

The Dulmont Magnum was released in Australia in September 1983 by Dulmont, and the product was marketed internationally from 1984 to 1986.

Cambridge Z88 introduced

1988

Another notable computer was the 8-bit Cambridge Z88, designed by Clive Sinclair, introduced in 1988 as a lightweight battery-powered portable.

Image source: Cambridge Z88

Cambridge Z88 introduced

COMPAQ SLT/286 debuts

Oct 1988

The 16-bit COMPAQ SLT/286 debuted in October 1988, being the first battery-powered laptop to support an internal hard disk drive and a VGA compatible LCD screen.

Image source: Compaq SLT

COMPAQ SLT/286 debuts

NEC UltraLite, first notebook computer

Oct 1988

The NEC UltraLite, released in October 1988, was the first 'notebook' computer, weighing just 2 kg (4.4 lb), which was achieved by obviating floppy or hard drive; it was powered by the NEC V30 16-bit CPU.

Image source: NEC UltraLite

NEC UltraLite, first notebook computer

Business Laptops

Kaypro 2000 introduced

1985

Possibly the first commercial IBM-compatible laptop was the 8/16-bit Kaypro 2000, introduced in 1985.

Toshiba T1100 launched

1985

Toshiba launched the 8/16-bit Toshiba T1100 in 1985, and has subsequently described it as 'the world's first mass-market laptop computer'.

Image source: Toshiba T1100

Toshiba T1100 launched

Toshiba T1100 specifications

1985

The Toshiba T1100's CPU was a 4.77 MHz Intel 80C88, a lower-power-consumption variation of the popular Intel 8088, and the display was a monochrome, 640x200 LCD.

IBM PC Convertible introduced

1986

Also among the first commercial laptops was the 8/16-bit IBM PC Convertible (Model 5140), introduced in 1986 and designed by Richard Sapper.

Image source: IBM PC Convertible

IBM PC Convertible introduced

Toshiba T1000 and T1200 follow-up

1987

The Toshiba T1100 was followed in 1987 by the T1000 and T1200, continuing Toshiba's leadership in the mass-market laptop segment.

HP releases portable Vectra CS

1987

In 1987, HP released a portable version of their 16-bit Vectra CS computer.

Image source: HP Vectra

HP releases portable Vectra CS

ZDS becomes world's largest laptop supplier

1987 - 1988

On the strength of a major deal, Zenith Data Systems (ZDS) became the world's largest laptop supplier in 1987 and 1988. The SupersPort series was originally launched with an Intel 8086 processor, dual floppy disk drives, a backlit blue-and-white STN LCD screen, and a NiCd battery pack.

Image source: Zenith Data Systems

ZDS becomes world's largest laptop supplier

Apple Macintosh Portable released

Sep 1989

Apple's first laptop product was the 16-bit lead-acid battery powered 7.2 kg (16 lb) Macintosh Portable released in September 1989.

Image source: Macintosh Portable

Apple Macintosh Portable released

Apple PowerBook series introduced

Oct 1991

The Apple PowerBook series, introduced in October 1991, pioneered changes that are now de facto standards on laptops, including room for a palm rest.

Image source: PowerBook

Apple PowerBook series introduced

IBM ThinkPad 300, 700 and 700C released

1992

In 1992, IBM released its ThinkPad 300, 700 and 700C, featuring a clamshell design similar to the PS/2 line. The ThinkPad raised a new standard for business class laptops with its modular design, greater durability and more productivity options.

Image source: ThinkPad

IBM ThinkPad 300, 700 and 700C released

IBM PS/2 note and CL57sx milestones

1992

The IBM PS/2 note was IBM's first laptop with clamshell design, and the 1992 CL57sx model was IBM's first commercial laptop with color screen; introduced options include the now-common PS/2 port, laptop BIOS, and predecessor of the laptop docking station (IBM Communications Cartridge).

Image source: IBM PS/2 Note and PS/note

IBM PS/2 note and CL57sx milestones

PowerBook innovations: touchpad, audio, Ethernet

1994

Later PowerBooks featured optional color displays (PowerBook 165c, 1993), the first true touchpad, first 16-bit stereo audio, and first built-in Ethernet network adapter (PowerBook 500 series, 1994).

Image source: PowerBook 500 series

PowerBook innovations: touchpad, audio, Ethernet

Display and Technology Advances

PC Magazine asks 'Is It On Yet?'

1986

Early laptop displays were so primitive that PC Magazine in 1986 published an article discussing them with the headline 'Is It On Yet?'.

Image source: History of laptops

PC Magazine asks 'Is It On Yet?'

BYTE praises improved laptop displays

1989

BYTE in 1989 wrote in a review of two 80286-based laptops that unlike early 'barely legible light gray on dark gray screens', their displays had 'excellent contrast and are easy to read under a variety of ambient lighting conditions', albeit still monochrome and with difficult-to-see cursors.

Intel 386SL designed for laptops

1990

While laptops in 1989 were limited to the 80286 processor because of the energy demands of the more powerful 80386, the introduction of the Intel 386SL processor, designed for the specific power needs of laptops, marked the point at which laptop needs were included in CPU design.

Image source: I386

Intel 386SL designed for laptops

Toshiba T3200SXC, first color laptop

1990

In 1990, Toshiba launched the Toshiba T3200SXC that was 'the world's first laptop computer with colour display'.

Dual STN and TFT LCDs hit mainstream

1991

By about 1991, two new color LCD technologies hit the mainstream market in a big way: Dual STN and TFT, dramatically improving laptop display quality.

Nan Tan (Clevo) 3600, first Pentium notebook

Apr 1994 - May 1994

The first Pentium notebook to market was the Nan Tan (Clevo) 3600, which released in roughly April–May 1994. As an original design manufacturer, Nan Tan did not sell the 3600 under its own brand; it appeared under names of resellers including Sager, BSi, and FutureTech.

Image source: Clevo x7200

Nan Tan (Clevo) 3600, first Pentium notebook

Panasonic CF-41, earliest 3-spindle notebook

Aug 1994

The earliest 3-Spindle notebook was the 486-based Panasonic CF-41, which released in August 1994, accommodating three storage devices simultaneously.

Image source: Toughbook

Panasonic CF-41, earliest 3-spindle notebook

Toshiba T4900CT, first mobile Pentium laptop

Nov 1994

The first laptop with a mobile Pentium was the Toshiba T4900CT, which shipped in November 1994, bringing Intel's power-optimized mobile processor to market.

Image source: Toshiba Satellite Pro 400 series

Toshiba T4900CT, first mobile Pentium laptop

Toshiba Satellite Pro 400 adds CD-ROM

Jun 1995

The first Pentium notebook to include a CD-ROM drive was the Toshiba Satellite Pro 400 Series, which released in June 1995.

Image source: Dynabook Satellite

Toshiba Satellite Pro 400 adds CD-ROM

Modern Era

USB and Wi-Fi arrive on laptops

1997 - 1999

Internal modems and standard serial, parallel, and PS/2 ports on IBM PC-compatible laptops made it easier to work away from home; the addition of network adapters and, from 1997, USB, as well as, from 1999, Wi-Fi, made laptops as easy to use with peripherals as a desktop computer.

Asus announces Eee PC 701 netbook

Jun 2007

In June 2007, Asus announced the Eee PC 701 to be released in October, a small lightweight x86 Celeron-M ULV 353 powered laptop with 4 GB SDHC disk and a 7-inch screen, kickstarting the netbook craze.

Image source: Asus Eee PC

Asus announces Eee PC 701 netbook

Qualcomm coins term 'smartbook'

2009

In 2009, Qualcomm introduced a new term 'smartbook', which stands for a hybrid device between smartphone and laptop, foreshadowing the convergence of mobile and laptop computing.

Image source: Smartbook

Qualcomm coins term 'smartbook'

Key Facts

  1. The IBM 5100 (1975) is often considered one of the first portable computers, though it weighed about 55 pounds.
  2. The Osborne 1 (1981) was the first commercially successful portable computer, featuring a built-in CRT display but no battery power.
  3. The GRiD Compass 1101 (1982), designed by Bill Moggridge, introduced the iconic clamshell design used by virtually all modern laptops.
  4. Apple's PowerBook 100 series (1991) popularized the modern laptop layout with a trackball positioned centrally below the keyboard.
  5. The introduction of Intel's Centrino platform (2003) and later ultrabooks (2011) drove the trend toward thinner, lighter, longer-battery-life laptops.

Source

This History of Laptops timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.

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