[inforoots] Laptop

['Computer Collector Newsletter']

Ah, then the Byte / Jan. 84 reference is still earlier...

-----Original Message-----
From: inforoots-bounces at computerhistory.org
[mailto:inforoots-bounces at computerhistory.org] On Behalf Of Peter Jennings
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 9:39 AM
To: Open Discussion about the history of the Information Age
Subject: Re: [inforoots] Laptop

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Capek" <capek at ieee.org>
To: <inforoots at computerhistory.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 4:51 PM
Subject: [inforoots] Laptop

Has any looked in the Oxford English Dictionary for the earliest
citation?   It's usually quite good for this kind of thing....   I'll look
next time I'm near a current copy, but maybe some other reader will be able
to do it sooner....

            Peter Capek


Here is what is in the OED:

lap-top a. [after desk-top], (of a computer) small and light enough to be
used on one's lap; = lap-held adj. above; also ellipt. as n.

1984 Sunday Times 26 Aug. 49/3 (heading) *Laphelds contend with luggables. 
1985 Daily Tel. 29 July 14/2 Then came the desk-top computer+and then+the
lapheld micro.  1986 What Micro? Nov. 101/1 Multi-user systems and lap-helds
are listed separately.

1984 Fortune 28 May 75/1 Led by Tandy's four-pound Radio Shack Model 100+the
*lap-tops are selling briskly.  1984 Byte Nov. 105/1 Laptop portables such
as Gavilan were stealing the show.  1986 Guardian 14 Apr. 22/5 Laptops are
battery-powered micros about the size of a telephone book, with small LCD
screens and typewriter-style keyboards.  1986 What Micro? Nov. 6/3 Unusually
for a laptop machine, provision is made to add an 8087 maths co-processor.


I have also been thinking about whether we ever used the term at Gavilan (I
was involved there for the entire history), and can't recall. But I do have
some of the early press kits and literature which I will dig into next time
I am excavating in my storage area.

I also used the MCM around 1975-6 and don't recall it ever being taken off
the desk. Although it would have worked on a lap, it would have creased our
well ironed dress pants....

Peter

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