Do you know when the first laptops were developed? Who do you think used the early laptops?

One of the original laptops was the GRiD Compass 1101. It was used by astronauts on space missions in the early 1980s. It weighed 11 lb (5 kg) and cost US $8,000 - $10,000! Laptops today often weigh less than one-half the weight and cost less than one-third the price of the GRiD. The compact design, convenience, and evolving technology of laptops have made them as popular as desktops.

Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are becoming more popular as their prices decrease and technology continues to progress. As a computer technician, you need to have knowledge of portable devices of all kinds. This chapter focuses on the differences between laptops and desktops and describes the features of PDAs and smartphones.

After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:

• Describe laptops and other portable devices.
• Identify and describe the components of a laptop.
• Compare and contrast desktop and laptop components.
• Explain how to configure laptops.
• Compare the different mobile phone standards.
• Identify common preventive maintenance techniques for laptops and portable devices.
• Describe how to troubleshoot laptops and portable devices.