when were laptops made

It’s hard to imagine a world without the convenience of a laptop. We carry them to coffee shops, use them for work on the go, and rely on them for entertainment. But the journey to the sleek, powerful machines we know today was a long one, filled with fascinating prototypes and incremental innovations. The story of when laptops were made isn’t about a single date, but a series of important milestones.

The Early Vision of a Portable Computer

Long before the term “laptop” was common, engineers dreamed of portable computing. One of the first significant steps was the Osborne 1 in 1981. It’s often called the first true portable computer. Weighing nearly 24 pounds, it was the size of a small suitcase and featured a tiny 5-inch screen. While not a laptop by today’s standards, it proved there was a market for computers you could take with you.

The Machine That Set the Standard

The real blueprint for the modern laptop came in 1982 with the Gavilan SC. This was the first computer to be marketed as a “laptop” and it introduced a game-changing feature: the integrated flip-down screen that covered the keyboard when closed. This design is something we still see in every clamshell laptop today. Around the same time, Grid Systems created the Compass 1101, a rugged and incredibly expensive machine used primarily by the U.S. government and NASA.

When Laptops Became Mainstream

Throughout the 1980s, companies like IBM and Compaq entered the market, but laptops remained bulky and expensive. The true shift towards mainstream adoption began in the 1990s. Apple’s PowerBook series and IBM’s ThinkPad line brought better trackballs (and later trackpads), color screens, and more ergonomic designs. As technology improved, components shrank, batteries lasted longer, and prices began to fall, making laptops a realistic option for students and professionals alike.

The Evolution Continues Today

From the heavy “luggables” of the 1980s, laptops have transformed into the lightweight, high-performance devices we use now. The introduction of netbooks, ultrabooks, and 2-in-1 convertibles shows that the concept of a portable computer is still evolving. The core idea—a self-contained, battery-powered computer—has remained the same, even as the technology inside has advanced at an astonishing pace.

So, while you can trace the concept back to the early 1980s, the laptop as we know it is the result of decades of refinement. It’s a tool that was built over time, each generation getting a little lighter, a little faster, and a little more integrated into our daily lives.