The first laptop in the world: date of appearance, inventors and evolution of portable PCs

Portable computers are so common today that it is difficult to imagine a world without them. But when he appeared first laptop, it was a real revolution - bulky, expensive and accessible only to a narrow circle of specialists. The history of laptops began not with compact ultrabooks, but with devices weighing under 10 kg that barely fit into a briefcase.

If you think that the first laptop was created in the 1980s, you are mistaken: prototypes appeared in 1970s, and commercial models in the early 1980s. But who exactly is considered a pioneer? Here opinions differ: some call Osborne 1 (1981), others - Epson HX-20 (1982), and still others recall experimental projects Xerox And IBM. In this article, we’ll figure out which computer can really be called the first laptop, how it worked, and why its creation changed the world of technology.

Who invented the first laptop: disputes and contenders for the title of pioneer

Official consensus that which computer was the first laptop, no. The fact is that the term “laptop” appeared later, and the first portable PCs were called differently: portable computer, laptop or even briefcase computer (“computer briefcase”). The main contenders for the title of first:

• 📌 Dynabook (1968) - concept by Alan Kay from Xerox PARC, which was never released but inspired future developments.
• 💻 IBM 5100 (1975) - the first mass-produced “portable” computer weighing 25 kg (it can hardly be called a laptop).
• 📱 Osborne 1 (1981) - the first commercially successful “laptop” weighing 10.7 kg with a 5-inch screen.
• 🔋 Epson HX-20 (1982) was the first battery-powered device that could actually be held on your lap.

Most historians are inclined to believe that Osborne 1 - this is the first mainstream laptop computer, but it was still too bulky. But Epson HX-20 was already more like modern laptops: its weight was only 1.6 kg, and its battery life reached 50 hours! However, it did not have a hard drive - only microcassettes for data storage.

⚠️ Attention: Many sources mistakenly call the first laptop IBM 5100, but this is incorrect - it was more of a "portable terminal" than a full-fledged portable PC. Its weight and dimensions made it unsuitable for work on the move.

1981: Osborne 1 - a revolution in the briefcase

Osborne 1, released by the company Osborne Computer Corporation, became the first commercially successful laptop computer. Its creator Adam Osborne, set myself the task of making a computer that I could take with me on business trips. Result?

• 📦 Weight: 10.7 kg (comparable to a modern system unit!).
• 🖥️ Screen: monochrome 5 inches (24 lines of 53 characters).
• 💾 Storage: two disk drives for 5.25" floppy disks (91 KB each!).
• 🔋 Power: only from the network (there were no batteries).
• 💰 Price: $1795 (about $5,500 in terms of 2026).

Despite the characteristics that are modest by modern standards, Osborne 1 sold like hotcakes, selling over 10,000 copies in its first year. It came with $1,500 worth of software, including a word processor, a spreadsheet, and even BASIC for programming.

Interesting fact: Osborne 1 was so popular that he became a victim of his own success. Company Osborne went bankrupt in 1983 due to mistakes in marketing - they announced a new model in advance, and customers stopped buying the first version, waiting for an update.

Epson HX-20: the first real laptop?

If Osborne 1 was a “laptop computer”, then Epson HX-20 (also known as HC-20) can be safely called the first laptop in the modern sense. Its key features:

Characteristics	Osborne 1 (1981)	Epson HX-20 (1982)
Weight	10.7 kg	1.6 kg
Screen	5" CRT	120x32 pixels (LCD)
Food	Network only	Nickel-cadmium batteries (up to 50 hours!)
Data storage	Two 5.25" floppy disks	Microcassettes (up to 64 KB)
Price	$1795	$795

Epson HX-20 It was not just lighter - it ran on batteries, had an LCD screen and even a built-in printer! He is often called the first ultraportable computer, although it was inferior in power to desktop PCs of that time.

It's interesting that Epson positioned it as a device for businessmen and engineers. For example, it was used to control robots in factories or for field research. Today HX-20 - a rare collector's item that can be found at auctions for $1000–$3000.

The evolution of laptops: from the 1980s to the present day

After Osborne 1 And Epson HX-20 The laptop computer market began to develop rapidly. Here are the key milestones:

• 🖥️ 1983: Compaq Portable - the first IBM-compatible portable PC (weight 12.5 kg).
• 📄 1984: Apple IIc - the first “portable” computer from Apple (weight 5 kg, but without battery).
• 🔋 1985: Toshiba T1100 - the first mass-produced laptop with 3.5-inch drive.
• 💻 1989: Macintosh Portable - Apple's first battery-powered laptop (weighs 7.2 kg).
• 🚀 1991: Apple PowerBook - standard of modern laptops (trackpad, ergonomic keyboard).

By the late 1990s, laptops became lighter, more powerful, and more affordable. Appeared IBM ThinkPad (1992), Dell Latitude (1994) and the first Netbook-s in the 2000s. Today, even budget laptops outperform the supercomputers of the 1980s, and they rarely weigh more than 1.5 kg.

Why were the first laptops so heavy?

The main reason is the use of CRT monitors (like old TVs), which required massive electronics. In addition, the first hard drives and power supplies took up a lot of space. For example, in Osborne 1 There wasn’t even a battery - just a transformer weighing several kilograms.

How the first laptop changed the world: 5 key consequences

The advent of portable computers was a turning point not only for the IT industry, but also for society as a whole. Here's how the first laptop influenced our lives:

1. Work mobility: People are no longer tied to the office. Journalists, engineers and businessmen have the opportunity to work on the road.
2. Software development: Mobile versions have appeared Word, Excel and other programs optimized for small screens.
3. Startup growth: Laptop computers have allowed small companies to compete with giants by reducing infrastructure costs.
4. Educational revolution: Students and scientists have access to computing power outside the laboratory.
5. Internet boom: Laptops were the first step towards an always-online culture (later developed by smartphones).

First laptop Osborne 1 was sold with a set of programs costing $1,500 - this was revolutionary, since previously the software was purchased separately and cost almost as much as the computer itself. This “package package” has become the standard for future laptops.

⚠️ Attention: Many first laptops (for example, IBM 5100) were not compatible with modern software. Their operating systems were written from scratch for specific hardware, which made them useless after a few years.

Myths and misconceptions about the first laptop

There are many myths surrounding the history of the first portable computers. Let's look at the most common ones:

• ❌ Myth 1: “The first laptop was created by Apple.”
  Reality: Apple released its first portable computer Apple IIc only in 1984, and Macintosh Portable - in 1989. By this time Osborne And Epson already sold their models.
• ❌ Myth 2: “The first laptops were weaker than desktop PCs.”
  Reality: Yes, they were inferior in productivity, but they offered mobility, which desktop computers did not have. For example, Osborne 1 could work with the same programs as desktop PCs.
• ❌ Myth 3: “Laptops came about thanks to military technology.”
  Reality: Although the Army needed laptop computers, the first commercial laptops were designed for businessmen and engineers, not the military.

Another misconception is that the first laptops were extremely unreliable. In fact, Osborne 1 And Epson HX-20 famous for their durability. For example, HX-20 could operate at temperatures from -10°C to +60°C, making it ideal for field conditions.

Where can you see the first laptop today?

If you want to see with your own eyes Osborne 1, Epson HX-20 or other rare models, this is where they are looked for:

• 🏛️ Technology museums:
  — Computer History Museum (USA, California) - exhibited there Osborne 1 And IBM 5100.
  — Museum of Computing (Moscow) - there are Soviet and foreign portable PCs.
• 💰 Auctions:
  — eBay (section Vintage Computers).
  — RetroBattlestations (Reddit) - a community of collectors.
• 🎮 Private collections:
  Some enthusiasts restore old laptops to working condition. For example, there are channels on YouTube where they show the launch Epson HX-20 after 40 years of inactivity!

Prices for rare models range from $200 to $10,000 depending on condition and rarity. For example, a worker Osborne 1 in original packaging can cost up to $5,000.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about your first laptop

🔹 Why did the first laptop weigh so much?

Main reasons:

• Usage CRT monitors (as in televisions), which required heavy electronics.
• Massive power supplies (in Osborne 1 there was no battery, only a transformer).
• Mechanical drives for 5.25-inch floppy disks weighed several kilograms.
• Housing made of metal for protection against impacts (plastic was not strong enough back then).

🔹 Could the first laptop connect to the Internet?

Technically yes, but it was extremely inconvenient. For example, Osborne 1 could connect to networks via modem (300–1200 baud), but:

• The data transfer speed was thousands of times slowerthan modern 4G.
• The Internet in today's understanding did not exist - there were only local networks and BBS (electronic bulletin boards).
• To connect, an external modem was required, which was connected via RS-232 port.

🔹 How much did the first laptop cost in today's money?

Prices adjusted for inflation (for 2026):

• Osborne 1 (1981, $1795) → ~$5500.
• Epson HX-20 (1982, $795) → ~$2300.
• IBM 5100 (1975, $8975) → ~$48 000 (more expensive than a modern MacBook Pro!

For comparison, the average salary in the US in 1981 was ~$12,000 per year, so Osborne 1 cost almost half a year's salary.

🔹 Why didn’t the first laptops have hard drives?

Reasons for the lack of HDD in early models:

• There were hard drives back then huge and expensive (for example, a 5-MB drive weighed several kg).
• Used for portability floppy disks (in Osborne 1) or microcassettes (in Epson HX-20).
• Energy consumption The HDD made running on battery power impossible.
• The first laptops were positioned as addition to desktop PCs, and not as a replacement for them.

The first laptop with a hard drive - Compaq Portable II (1986, 20-MB HDD).

🔹 What modern devices can be considered the heirs of the first laptop?

The direct “descendants” of the first portable PCs are:

• 📱 Ultrabooks (For example, MacBook Air) - inherit the idea of maximum portability.
• 🖥️ 2-in-1 and tablets (For example, Microsoft Surface) — development of the concept Dynabook Alan Kay.
• 💻 Gaming laptops (For example, ASUS ROG) - the evolution of powerful portable stations.
• 🔧 Industrial PCs (For example, Panasonic Toughbook) - inherit strength and autonomy Epson HX-20.