Month: September 2020

What Did the First Portable Computer Look Like

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What Did the First Portable Computer Look Like – I don’t currently have a desktop computer. I use a laptop to write because it’s so convenient — I can use it anywhere in the house (or at the library, or at a coffee shop). I think most people these days have laptops or use devices like tablets or smartphones to do a lot of things that we used to do on our desktop computers.

I’m not suggesting that desktops are going away anytime soon; they’re still preferable in a lot of situations. But today when you need something portable, there’s no shortage of options. Back in the earliest days of personal computing … not so much. But portable computers have been around since the mid-1970s — depending on what you mean by “portable.”

There are laptops on the market (sometimes known as ultraportables) that weigh around 2 pounds, but the computer widely thought of as the first portable weighed in at nearly 53 pounds. You wouldn’t have wanted it on your lap, but that wasn’t the idea. In 1973, IBM designed a prototype computer called SCAMP, which stood for Special Computer APL Machine Portable. (APL is a programming language that has since been replaced by A+.)

Two years later, it released what is often considered the 5100. The IBM 5100 was a single unit with a 5-inch CRT display, a keyboard, a 200K tape drive for storage and a processor. You could get it with up to 64KB of RAM, and either APL or BASIC (another programming language) operating systems, or both.

The 16KB RAM model with just APL sold for $8,975, while the 64K model with both operating systems hit at $19,975. Pricey by today’s standards, and that was in 1975. But you might have guessed that the 5100 wasn’t built for fun; IBM intended the computer to be used by scientists and programmers. There wasn’t much else available at the time in terms of a personal computer (it was all about the mainframe), and nothing that was as powerful in such a “small” and portable package.

Despite these achievements, the hefty price tag made it a tough sell, and you couldn’t really upgrade it. So maybe we should reassess the term “portable.” Portable computers still exist — they’re too big to be called laptops and plug in instead of relying on battery power, but they’re far easier to transport than a desktop. But when you first saw this question, you were probably thinking of a laptop. Read on to learn about the first one of those.

There’s some question about what makes a laptop, a laptop. Is it just about size? Ease of portability? Or do things like a rechargeable battery or screen size make a difference? Which one qualifies as “first” in the flurry of IBM competitors in the early 1980s is a difficult one, too.

The Osborne 1 sometimes gets the distinction of being the first commercially successful portable computer. Released in 1981, it weighed 23.5 pounds — easier to tote than the IBM 5100, but still not something you’d actually carry in your lap. And since it had no power supply (there was an optional battery pack that would give you an hour of use), it couldn’t be used just anywhere.

The Osborne 1 had 64K RAM, dual floppy disk drives, and a five-inch screen. It came with lots of software, worth almost as much as the machine itself. The whole thing closed up (it had a fold-down keyboard) and Osborne pointed out that it could fit under an airline seat. Retailing at $1795, it was a vast improvement over previous versions. But it’s called a “luggable” computer today — it’s definitely not a laptop.

The first laptop actually could fit in your lap. And it has an unexpected feature: a tiny, dot-matrix printer that used adding machine tape. Announced by Epson in 1981 and produced a few years later, the HX-20 was small enough to easily carry around at 3.5 pounds. It also had four rechargeable batteries.

The display was much smaller than the Osbourne 1’s; it could display just four lines of 20 characters. The data-storage device was a mini cassette recorder, and the computer came with either 16K or 32K of RAM. The HX-20 came in a hard case and cost around $795. A review written by David Ahl in Creative Computing magazine (published in March 1983) includes this: “For working on a plane, train or away from the office, the HX-20 is unrivaled.

1st-portable-computer2

How often I have dreamed of having a spreadsheet or word processing computer with me on cross country or transatlantic plane trips! It would seem that the HX-20 is the answer to these dreams.

It still didn’t look like a laptop. The flip-form design came a bit later, and then the first machine to be marketed using the word “laptop” came out in spring 1983. But the HX-20 was arguably the first portable computer that you could easily carry and use anywhere.

When researching this article, it was interesting to see how passionate some people can be about older computers. Many models are still in use by enthusiasts. You can still buy the printer ribbon and other accessories for the Epson HX-20, and I came across a person who still writes programs meant to be used on it.

The earliest laptop I can remember using was my father’s and it was supplied by his employer for work. He sometimes brought it home so I could play the first “Sim City” on it, and this was around 1990. I wish I could remember the model, but I do recall that it was impressively small compared to the computers I was using at school!The first laptop actually could fit in your lap.

And it has an unexpected feature: a tiny, dot-matrix printer that used adding machine tape. Announced by Epson in 1981 and produced a few years later, the HX-20 was small enough to easily carry around at 3.5 pounds. It also had four rechargeable batteries. The display was much smaller than the Osbourne 1’s; it could display just four lines of 20 characters.

The data-storage device was a mini cassette recorder, and the computer came with either 16K or 32K of RAM. The HX-20 came in a hard case and cost around $795. A review written by David Ahl in Creative Computing magazine (published in March 1983) includes this: “For working on a plane, train or away from the office, the HX-20 is unrivaled. How often I have dreamed of having a spreadsheet or word processing computer with me on cross country or transatlantic plane trips! It would seem that the HX-20 is the answer to these dreams.

It still didn’t look like a laptop. The flip-form design came a bit later, and then the first machine to be marketed using the word “laptop” came out in spring 1983. But the HX-20 was arguably the first portable computer that you could easily carry and use anywhere.

Author’s Note
When researching this article, it was interesting to see how passionate some people can be about older computers. Many models are still in use by enthusiasts. You can still buy the printer ribbon and other accessories for the Epson HX-20, and I came across a person who still writes programs meant to be used on it.

The earliest laptop I can remember using was my father’s and it was supplied by his employer for work. He sometimes brought it home so I could play the first “Sim City” on it, and this was around 1990. I wish I could remember the model, but I do recall that it was impressively small compared to the computers I was using at school!

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Evolution From Generation one to five

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Evolution From Generation one to five – Computers in the form of personal desktop computers, laptops and tablets have become such an important part of everyday living that it can be difficult to remember a time when they did not exist. In reality, computers as they are known and used today are still relatively new.

Although computers have technically been in use since the abacus approximately 5000 years ago, it is modern computers that have had the greatest and most profound effect on society.

The first full-sized digital computer in history was developed in 1944. Called the Mark I, this computer was used only for calculations and weighed five tons. Despite its size and limited ability it was the first of many that would start off generations of computer development and growth.

First Generation Computers

First generation computers bore little resemblance to computers of today, either in appearance or performance. The first generation of computers took place from 1940 to 1956 and was extremely large in size. The inner workings of the computers at that time were unsophisticated.

These early machines required magnetic drums for memory and vacuum tubes that worked as switches and amplifiers. It was the vacuum tubes that were mainly responsible for the large size of the machines and the massive amounts of heat that they released. These computers produced so much heat that they regularly overheated despite large cooling units. First generation computers also used a very basic programming language that is referred to as machine language.

Second Generation Computers

The second generation (from 1956 to 1963) of computers managed to do away with vacuum tubes in lieu of transistors. This allowed them to use less electricity and generate less heat. Second generation computers were also significantly faster than their predecessors. Another significant change was in the size of the computers, which were smaller. Transistor computers also developed core memory which they used alongside magnetic storage.

Third Generation Computers

From 1964 to 1971 computers went through a significant change in terms of speed, courtesy of integrated circuits. Integrated circuits, or semiconductor chips, were large numbers of miniature transistors packed on silicon chips. This not only increased the speed of computers but also made them smaller, more powerful, and less expensive. In addition, instead of the punch cards and the printouts of previous systems, keyboards and monitors were now allowing people to interact with computing machines.

Fourth Generation Computers

The changes with the greatest impact occurred in the years from 1971 to 2010. During this time technology developed to a point where manufacturers could place millions of transistors on a single circuit chip. This was called monolithic integrated circuit technology. It also heralded the invention of the Intel 4004 chip which was the first microprocessor to become commercially available in 1971.

This invention led to the dawn of the personal computer industry. By the mid-70s, personal computers such as the Altair 8800 became available to the public in the form of kits and required assembly. By the late 70s and early 80s assembled personal computers for home use, such as the Commodore Pet, Apple II and the first IBM computer, were making their way onto the market.

Personal computers and their ability to create networks eventually would lead to the Internet in the early 1990s. The fourth generation of computers also saw the creation of even smaller computers including laptops and hand-held devices. Graphical user interface, or GUI, was also invented during this time. Computer memory and storage also went through major improvements, with an increase in storage capacity and speed.

The Fifth Generation of Computers

In the future, computer users can expect even faster and more advanced computer technology. Computers continue to develop into advanced forms of technology. Fifth generation computing has yet to be truly defined, as there are numerous paths that technology is taking toward the future of computer development. For instance, research is ongoing in the fields of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, as well as quantum computation.

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How To Choose The Correct Mouse

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How To Choose The Correct Mouse – The mouse has long been one of the most important PC peripherals since the advent of the graphical user interface (GUI). In fact, it’s only relatively recently that alternatives have come along to challenge the mouse’s efficiency and accuracy in manipulating on-screen items. And even those alternatives, such as touchscreen displays, pens, and voice controls, are often used to augment the mouse rather than replace it.

There’s an entire industry dedicated to making PC mice, and the one that shipped with your new PC might be a low-cost version that’s holding back your experience. The mouse industry is constantly introducing new and better mouse options, creating what can be a difficult choice for anyone looking to replace a poor performer.

We created this guide to provide you with an overview of some of the things you’ll want to keep in mind as you peruse the hundreds of mouse options in Newegg’s selection.

Wired vs wireless

A good place to start when making your mouse decision is determining whether you want to go with a wired or wireless mouse. Simply put, you don’t have to plug in your mouse and hassle with a cable. You can go wireless and achieve complete freedom of movement – as long as you stay within wireless range.

That sounds appealing, and so why would anyone choose a wired mouse? There are few reasons that you’ll want to think about before making this decision.

To begin with, all wireless mice have at least some latency, meaning that there’s a split-second delay between a mouse action and its impact on a PC. Wireless technology has advanced considerably over the last several years, and reduced latency is one of the benefits. However, while wireless mice now generally have low enough latency that they’re usually fine for casual and productivity uses, you’ll probably want to make sure to get a high-performance mouse if you’re going to be playing modern gaming titles (more on that in a bit).

Next, wireless mice require power. Some use replaceable batteries while others have rechargeable batteries that need to be plugged in to charge up. The latter usually use a USB cable for charging, and they can be plugged into a PC to act as a wireless mouse while the battery is being topped off.

Finally, wireless mice can cause interference with other wireless devices. That’s less of a problem today, as mice have migrated toward Bluetooth wireless technology that uses frequencies that aren’t as likely to interfere with other devices. But it can still occur.

Wireless connectivity options

Speaking of wireless technologies, you’ll find two main versions. Bluetooth mice are increasingly common, and those are safe choices with most contemporary notebooks that tend to have Bluetooth radios built-in. If you’re using a desktop PC, then you might need to purchase Bluetooth dongle if the manufacturer doesn’t provide one with the mouse.

The other technology typically used with wireless mice is radio frequency (RF) adapters. One popular example is Logitech’s Unifying protocol, which operates at the 2.4GHz frequency and supports up to six Logitech wireless products. The Unifying adapter usually comes with Logitech mice (and keyboards), and you can connect that one Unifying receiver to a PC and then connect multiple compatible Logitech devices.

Wireless mice have a few important advantages over wired mice, and they also tend to be more expensive. A wireless mouse is, therefore, an increasingly popular choice that can work well for you, as long as you can live with keeping the mouse powered up and you can find one that provides the performance you need.

Gaming vs. general use

While you’re considering whether to go wired or wireless, you’ll want to consider exactly how you want to use your mouse. As we mentioned above, if you’re going to be using your mouse for gaming, then you’ll want to include performance in your list of important specifications.

Latency is one important performance consideration for gaming, where you’ll want the least latency possible. Also known as “input lag,” latency can be a killer, literally, in today’s fast-paced first-person shooter games. You don’t want to find yourself falling behind your competition, and latency can do just that, making you the tiniest bit slower on the trigger.

Sensitivity is also an important mouse specification, and manufacturers define it as dots per inch (DPI). The higher the DPI, the less physical distance the mouse needs to move on a surface to register movement on-screen. For gamers, sensitivity can be particularly important. Some prefer high sensitivity that allows them to move quickly across a screen with smaller hand motions, while others prefer to move their hands in larger gestures without such a large on-screen impact.

For this reason, some mice provide the ability to adjust DPI on the fly, from a low of 1,200 DPI or less to 6,400 DPI and even higher. This adjustability allows gamers to optimize their mousing experience for each game, and even for different in-game situations.

Some manufacturers optimize mice for certain kinds of games, with specific buttons and keypads that make certain kinds of games – like massively multiplayer online (MMO) games – easier to play. Many gaming mice come with software that provides game optimizations, and there are even customizable gaming mice that allow for physical changes, such as adjusting button response and changing the palm rest angle.

Sensitivity also matters for anyone who uses PC applications that require very precise movements. Examples include photo editors, 3D rendering software, and computer-aided design (CAD) applications.

If you’re not a gamer, then your decision in choosing a mouse will be much simpler. You can focus on things like size, ergonomics, and various non-gaming features. We’ll cover each of these topics next.

Sensors

Older mice used balls and infrared sensors for measuring movement. Modern mice, on the other hand, use one of two kinds of light sources to take images of a surface and determine movement by comparing one image to the next as the mouse changes location.

Optical mice use LED lights that shine on the very top of a surface, and work best with certain kinds of surfaces, such as a fabric mouse pads and other non-glossy materials. Laser mice are more precise versions that work on more surface types.

Laser mice tend to be more expensive, but they’re not always the best choice. First, while they’re more sensitive, they generate more noise and can cause more variation in tracking. Second, they work at further distances from a surface, meaning that if you lift them up and move them across a mouse pad, they’re more likely to register that movement.

These factors can cause unwanted on-screen movement that can be particularly bothersome in gaming. Unless you’re a gamer, though, you’ll probably be more happy with a laser mouse based on its ability to work on just about any kind of surface.

Physical design

mouse

Mice come in all shapes and sizes, from small travel models to monster-sized options aimed at providing enhanced features and ergonomics. Which is best for you depends on a few factors, including your hand size, where you’ll be using your mouse, and whether you need to carry it around with you.

The first characteristic to consider is a mouse’s size. Mice that are intended to be portable tend to be smaller, and mice that are meant to sit on a desk tend to be larger. That’s perfectly logical, of course. Which is better for you comes down to the size of your hands – someone with smaller hands might choose a portable mouse just for its smaller dimensions – and to user preference.

Ergonomic mice, or those that are designed to reduce hand and wrist strain, are usually on the large end of the spectrum. They tend to conform to the hand, and they coax users into holding their fingers, hands, and wrists at angles that allow for more comfortable long-term mousing sessions. They’re also usually made for right-handed users – unfortunately, a much smaller number of mice are designed specifically for lefties.

One differentiating feature is a mouse’s style of grip. There are three common grip types: palm, claw, and fingertip.

Some mice, usually larger models, have a design optimized for laying your palm across the top and pushing the most around with the entire hand. Other, typically smaller mice use designs aimed at a fingertip grip, where the user grasps the mouse with the fingertips to guide it. And yet other, narrower mice are designed such that the palm rests on the back of the mouse and the fingers are most comfortable resting on top, forming a claw.

Which grip works best for you comes down to personal preference, as well as your desired mouse size and shape.

Other features

How-To-Choose-The-Correct-Mouse

Now that we have those basics out of the way, we can consider some of the other features that you’ll find on modern mice.

Most mice have at least two buttons, commonly referred to as the left and right buttons. Most operating systems assign the left button to primary actions like selecting objects and clicking on-screen items, and the right button to secondary actions like opening menus. The main exception is Apple’s line of mice, which have a single button and use various tricks to emulate a right button click as necessary.

Then, more complex mice are available that include additional buttons on the top, side buttons for accessing various special actions, and wheels that scroll and perform other actions. In many cases, these multi-button mice have special software that allows the buttons and wheels to be customized and remapped, enabling a wide range of individualized functionality.

Picking a mouse with the right kinds of buttons and wheels can make the difference between productivity and frustration. If you use complex applications, then you might be able to benefit from a mouse with a variety of buttons that can map to various functions.

LED lights are another feature, primarily found on gaming mice. They add some additional flair, as well as feedback during gaming systems. Usually, such mice come with software that can customize the lighting and match it with a user’s installed games.

Traditional mice aren’t the only way to control your PC. Several other options exist that can work in different circumstances. For example, if you’re using a tablet, then chances are you’ll be relying exclusively on a touch display. You might also use a digital pen or stylus that allows you to write and draw on the display.

Notebooks use touchpads, which measure a user’s finger movements across a flat surface. Some touchpads include physical buttons, some allow light taps with one or two fingers to register left and right clicks, and some support multitouch gestures where up to four fingers can be used for actions like scrolling and to switch between application windows. Apple’s latest MacBook Pro touchpads incorporate special 3D sensors and haptic feedback to mimic physical button presses.

One of the most popular kinds of portable device today is the 2-in-1, which can convert from a traditional notebook into a tablet. With these machines, you’ll switch between using a touchpad and using a touch display, and you’ll often use both depending on the situation. Further complicating matters is that some newer traditional notebooks also offer touch displays.

Finally, another very mouse-like input accessory is the trackball, which essentially inverts the old ball-style mouse mechanism. Rather than rolling the ball around a surface, the user spins a ball that’s set into the top of the device to register movement.

Finding the right mouse for you

The lowly mouse might seem like an afterthought when you’re buying or building a new PC, but as you can see, there are some important factors to consider when making your purchase decision. The right mouse can make your PC experience vastly more productive, efficient, and fun, and so be sure to check out all of the mouse options in Newegg’s mouse section, where you can compare various mice side-by-side to find the perfect one for you.

Traditional mice aren’t the only way to control your PC. Several other options exist that can work in different circumstances. For example, if you’re using a tablet, then chances are you’ll be relying exclusively on a touch display. You might also use a digital pen or stylus that allows you to write and draw on the display.

Notebooks use touchpads, which measure a user’s finger movements across a flat surface. Some touchpads include physical buttons, some allow light taps with one or two fingers to register left and right clicks, and some support multitouch gestures where up to four fingers can be used for actions like scrolling and to switch between application windows. Apple’s latest MacBook Pro touchpads incorporate special 3D sensors and haptic feedback to mimic physical button presses.

One of the most popular kinds of portable device today is the 2-in-1, which can convert from a traditional notebook into a tablet. With these machines, you’ll switch between using a touchpad and using a touch display, and you’ll often use both depending on the situation. Further complicating matters is that some newer traditional notebooks also offer touch displays.

Finally, another very mouse-like input accessory is the trackball, which essentially inverts the old ball-style mouse mechanism. Rather than rolling the ball around a surface, the user spins a ball that’s set into the top of the device to register movement.

Finding the right mouse for you

The lowly mouse might seem like an afterthought when you’re buying or building a new PC, but as you can see, there are some important factors to consider when making your purchase decision. The right mouse can make your PC experience vastly more productive, efficient, and fun, and so be sure to check out all of the mouse options in Newegg’s mouse section, where you can compare various mice side-by-side to find the perfect one for you.

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Study Advanced Computer Science Masters / MSc

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Study Advanced Computer Science Masters / MSc – Broaden your knowledge of cutting edge areas in computing. This  Advanced Computer Science Masters/MSc programme is designed for graduates with a degree in Computer Science or a related discipline, and a solid foundation in programming.

This programme is closed to international applicants to join in September 2020, however a January start is available which you can now apply for. UK/EU applicants may apply to join this programme either in September or January.

Drawing on the School’s international research reputation, you will have the opportunity to select from a broad range of advanced modules to reflect your own interests. You will also undertake your own software-development or summer project (which may be research-focused) to deepen your knowledge even further. It is essential preparation for a career in academic or industrial research.

In the first eight months of the course you study your choice of taught modules to a total of 120 credits, which may include a mini-project. In the final four months, you will work on your summer project and dissertation, individually supervised by a member of the research-active staff in the school.

Why study Advanced Computer Science Masters/MSc at Birmingham
Birmingham is one of the leading universities in the country for postgraduate study in computer science, and we are proud to deliver outstanding programmes that offer a range of exciting career opportunities for students from around the world.
State-of-the-art, multi-million-pound facilities include dedicated laboratories for Computer

Science students, a teaching laboratory for Robotics, and research laboratories for Security, Medical Imaging Intelligent Robotics and Computer Vision
We are a partner in The Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence

Our Security and Privacy Group is recognised as an EPSRC/GCHQ Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research and we have a strong collaboration with the Centre for Computational Biology (CCB)

Award-winning development

At the School of Computer Science we are not just renowned for teaching and research excellence. We also produce novel solutions for real-world applications, including:

Working with Jaguar Land Rover to make their vehicles more secure
Contributing to the development of the Trusted Platform Module which makes many of our computers capable of secure cryptographic operations
Deploying autonomous, intelligent robots in security and health support facilities
Developing a revolutionary, award-winning method for diagnosing skin cancer
Ruanbang talks about the MSc in Advanced Computer Science

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A quick guide to selecting a mouse

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A quick guide to selecting a mouse – The good ol’ two-button mouse just won’t cut it anymore. They’re unresponsive, uncomfortable, and the cord somehow ties itself up every time you put it in your bag. However, buying a new mouse can be confusing, so if you’re having difficulty picking the right one, here are some things you should keep in mind.

Cable or wireless?
Choosing between a wired or a wireless mouse is a factor you have to consider if you’re planning on purchasing a new mouse. Wireless mice are generally more comfortable since your range of movement isn’t limited by a cable and they’re usually travel friendly. However, they tend to be less responsive, which can be frustrating.

In some cases, wireless mice can also interfere with other wireless devices nearby, and most require batteries, which can create problems when they run out of juice. And, if you use the same mouse for both work and home, you run the risk of losing the tiny USB receiver for your wireless mouse when you travel.

On the other hand, wired mice are cheaper and easy to plug-and-play. The only problem you’ll have to worry about is dealing with tangled wires. So when you’re deciding on a new mouse, think about whether you’re looking for comfort or convenience.

Ergonomics matters
You’re going to be using the new mouse for a while, so it’s important to choose one that feels comfortable in your hands. When deciding on the right mouse, focus on the size and the grip of the device. The size of the mouse usually comes down to hand size. For example, someone with smaller hands might find larger mice quite unwieldy.

Certain mice can also accommodate different types of grips — fingertip grip, palm grip, and claw grip. Users who want high-precision control of their cursor should opt for a mouse with fingertip grip, those needing comfort should get a palm grip mouse, and if you want both control and comfort, the claw grip mouse is the way to go.

DPI (dots per inch)
Higher sensitivity is necessary for precise mouse movements, especially if you’re editing images, videos, or audio files. Mice with 1200 DPI or greater guarantee finer control.

Although mouse specifications like DPI might be the last thing on your mind when it comes to buying new hardware, your comfort is important. A good mouse with the right fit can make you more efficient and reduce the risk of injury.

If you need assistance setting up the best hardware for your company, give us a call. We’re happy to help.

This entry was posted in General Articles B, Hardware and tagged 2018September21Hardware_B, claw, DPI, fingertip, Grips, Hardware, Mouse, palm, sensitivity, Size, wired, Wireless. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

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