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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.
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The computer considered by most historians to be the first true portable computer was the Osborne 1. Adam Osborne, an ex-book publisher was the founder of Osborne Computer Corp, which produced the Osborne 1 in 1981. It was a portable computer that weighed 24 pounds and cost $1795.
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In January of 1982, Microsoft's Kazuhiko Nishi and Bill Gates begin discussions on designing a portable computer that featured a new liquid crystal display or LCD screen. Kazuhiko Nishi later showed the prototype to Radio Shack and the retailer agreed to manufacture the computer.
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In 1983, Radio Shack released the TRS-80 Model 100, a 4-pound battery-operated portable computer with a design that was flat and looked more like modern laptops of today.In 1986, Radio Shack released the new, improved and smaller TRS Model 200.
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Manny Fernandez had the idea for a well-designed laptop for executives who were just starting to use a computer. Fernandez, who started Gavilan Computer, promoted his machines as the first "laptop" computers in May 1983.In 1988, Compaq Computer introduced its first laptop PC with VGA graphics, the Compaq SLT/286.
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In 1984, IBM announced the IBM 5155 Portable Personal Computer.
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In 1989, the release of the NEC UltraLite was considered by some to be the first "notebook style" computer. It was a laptop size computer that weighed under 5-pounds.In September of 1989, Apple Computer released the first Macintosh Portable that later evolved into the Powerbook.
In 1989, Zenith Data Systems released the Zenith MinisPort, a 6-pound laptop computer.
In October of 1989, Compaq Computer released its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE. -
In March of 1991, Microsoft released the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse, which used both mouse and trackball technology in a pointing device designed for laptop computers.
In October of 1991, Apple Computers released the Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140 and 170 - all notebook style laptops. -
In October of 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 were released. PDAs are pen-based hand-held computers.