Subnotebook, also called ultraportable, superportable, handtop, mini notebook or mini laptop, is a type of laptop computer that is smaller and lighter than a typical notebook-sized laptop.
As typical laptop sizes have decreased over the course of the 2010s, and other distinguishing features have become mainstream, the distinction between regular-size and 'subnotebook' laptops has largely disappeared. To the extent that it still exists, 'subnotebook' could be defined as machines with screen smaller than 13" but with a permanently-attached keyboard intended for two-handed typing.
Prior to this convergence, subnotebooks were also distinguished from netbooks and ultra-mobile PCs, based on both size and market position. Subnotebooks run full desktop class operating systems, and their CPUs are usually the same as those in desktops although perhaps modified for lower power consumption. [1]
Classic subnotebooks were smaller than full-sized laptops but larger than handheld computers. They were distinguished by smaller screens and bodies and lighter weights relative to contemporaneous laptops. The savings in size and weight were often achieved partly by omitting ports, and these were typically the first machines to omit optical disc drives or on some of the earliest models, floppy disk drives.
They were also some of the first systems which could be paired with docking stations to compensate. One notable form-factor of subnotebook-oriented docks were "slice docks" — a more transportable version of the classic docking station. [2] [3]
| Subnotebooks relative to other laptop marketing terms | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Screen size | Weight | Distinguishing Characteristics | CPU type(s) | Years of production |
| Classic subnotebook | 5-12" | 0.9-1.8 kg | Varies, mostly x86 | 1992-2018 (worldwide)/ | |
| Palmtop/handheld | 5-9" | 0.3-0.8 kg | Size, and miniaturized keyboard | Varies, typically ultra-low power | 1989-current |
| Netbook | 7-13" | 0.7-1.5 kg | Very low cost | Low power x86; most often Intel Atom | 2007-2015 |
| Smartbook | 5-10" | 0.4–1 kg | Mobile broadband modem | x86 low power or ARM | 2009-2011 |
| Chromebook | 10-15" | varies | ChromeOS | x86 or ARM | 2011-current |
| Ultrabook | 12-17" | 0.7-1.6 kg | Use of premium materials, particularly a metal chassis | Intel x86 | 2011-2018 |
The Epson HX-20, released in 1982, was the first portable computer to be classified by journalists as a "notebook computer". This nomenclature derives from its footprint roughly occupying the same dimensions as an A4-sized notebook, small enough to fit inside a briefcase. [8] [9] The similarly designed TRS-80 Model 100 from 1983 was the first commercially successful notebook and is credited with spawning an industry of smaller portable computers. [10] [11] Like the HX-20, the Model 100 was smaller than contemporary clam-shell machines; both use a slate form factor, with no hinge and the keyboard and screen on the same plane. The Model 100's later sibling the Tandy 200 was a clam-shell design and smaller than contemporary laptops.
The NEC UltraLite, launched in 1988, was the first clamshell "notebook computer" compatible with the IBM PC, a platform whose market share dominated the microcomputer industry throughout the 1980s onward. Its relatively small dimensions — 48 × 220 × 280 mm (1.4 × 8.3 × 11.75 inches) — matched those of a pair of stacked US Letter (similar to A4) size paper notebooks. [11] Owing to its lack of a floppy drive (in favor of proprietary solid-state storage), the UltraLite did not see massive uptake by the general public. The first commercially successful notebook in this vein, the Compaq LTE, was released in 1989 to critical acclaim and high sales. [12] [13] The success of the LTE convinced IBM and Apple to release their own slimmer laptops, starting with the PS/2 Model L40 SX and the PowerBook 100, respectively. [14] : 59 [15] : 75 IBM replaced the L40 SX with the PS/2 note in early 1992 and the ThinkPad line in late 1992. [15]
There were also a few notable smaller-than subnotebook PCs at this time, including the Atari Portfolio and HP 95LX [16] — both very small MS-DOS machines, roughly comparable in size to later handheld PCs.
At the end of 1992, PCMag magazine [17] described two models as subnotebooks: these were the Gateway HandBook the Dell 320SLi [18] [19] (both less than a 1.6 kg weight), and another was released in Italy: the Olivetti Quaderno. [20]
Apple and Compaq did not label their machines as "subnotebooks" in this period, but the PowerBook Duo and Compaq LTE Lite otherwise qualify, and both lines were among the first to broadly popularize docking stations.
Another early model was the Hewlett-Packard OmniBook 300, which was launched as a "superportable" in 1993; it was one of the first examples to use a flash memory disk instead of a hard drive, to reduce the weight. [21]
Toshiba, also entered the market that year with the Portege T3400 and T3400CT, claiming that "It's the first subnotebook computer with all the functionality of a much larger computer"; [22] the T3400CT was the first subnotebook with a color screen. in 1995, Tosbiba introduced the Libretto 20, with a 6.1″ screen; CNet reported about the Libretto 50CT that "[it] is the first full-fledged Windows 95 notebook in the United States weighing less than two pounds". [23]
Compaq introduced its own short lived subnotebook line in 1994 called Contura Aero, notable for using a battery which was intended to be standard rather than only useful for Compaq products. [24]
IBM released a Palm Top PC (handheld laptop with 4.7" screen) in 1995. [25]
IBM had sold "thin and light" models in its ThinkPad range, such as the ThinkPad 560 ultraportable (1996) and best-selling ThinkPad 600 (1998). It finally entered the subnotebook market in 1999 with the 1.3 kg ThinkPad 240, targeted at business travellers. [26] The 240 and 240X had 10.4″ screens. Later, however, IBM replaced these with the X range, with 12.1″ screens. [27]
In 1997 Mitsubishi Electric released ultra-compact 12.1" Mitsubishi Pedion laptop line with ultrathin magnesium case (18 × 218 × 297 mm) and chiclet keyboard. [28] This short-living model line was sold only in Japan, and was discontinued after some hardware issues. Sony launched an ultraportable (ultrathin) less than an inch thick in Japan - the PCG-505, which reached the US in 1997 as the VAIO 505GX. This was followed by the even thinner Sony VAIO X505, which measured just 0.8 × 8.2 × 10.2 inches, and reached 0.3″ at its thinnest. [29] However, it was very expensive and had poor battery life, and was soon withdrawn.
Apple replaced the aging PowerBook Duo line with relatively light-weight (4.4 lb (2.0 kg)) but short-lived PowerBook 2400c; this was co-designed by IBM, and manufactured for Apple by IBM Japan. In 2000 Compaq released a more compact successor of Digital HiNote line - the 10.3" Armada M300, with magnesium case and 1.6 kg weight.
Sony also launched the C1 range of subnotebooks, starting in Japan in 1998. [30]
This period was notable for a major split between lower-power-consumption and higher power x86 processors in laptops; although Intel released the Pentium 4 mobile chips, the mobile Pentium III remained available because of high power consumption on the Pentium 4 leading to high heat and short battery life. This was followed by the Pentium M, which was a dedicated line of mobile processors with no desktop equivalent. This era also featured processors from Transmeta, intended to be extremely power efficient.
One of the most notable Sony models was the Vaio PCG-C1VE or PictureBook (2001). It was one of the first machines with a digital camera built into the lid, which could be used for video conferencing or swiveled to photograph a scene. [31]
This was followed in 2005 by the Flybook convertible with a 8.9 inch touch screen. The Flybook featured a built-in phone connection for GPRS or 3G networking, and is available in a range of bright colors. This was covered in non-computer magazines including GQ, FHM, Elle and Rolling Stone. [32]
In 2006, Microsoft introduced a new ultra-mobile PC format, under the code-name Origami. These were smaller versions of Tablet PC computers; One example was the Samsung Q1. [33]
Since 2007, the laptop computer market has seen an increased segmentation of microprocessor lines to different purposes and power levels, including the introduction of the Intel Atom, ultra-low-voltage processors which has since having become mainstream, and the use of ARM microprocessors.
Another notable implementation was a migrate from CCFL screen backlit to more energy-efficiently and compact LED-backlit screens. On the other hand, over the course of the 2010s, with growing of sales for mainstream users, optical drives and legacy ports became uncommon, and some classic subnotebook features (like additional replaceable batteries, alternative input methods, docking options, Smart Cards, mobile broadband modules, additional storage) become rare. At Computex 2011 Intel announced a new system branding called Ultrabooks; these very much match the prior description of subnotebooks - they used lower-powered processors (but not as low-end as netbooks) and with each generation of Intel processors, the lower-powered U-series processors became a larger part of mainstream sales. typically lacked optical drives and legacy ports, and were generally compact, but as marketed the two terms were rarely used together. Noticeable releases:
In 2007 the ASUS Eee PC became the first of a new class of low-cost laptops commonly called netbooks. Netbooks are typically based upon the Atom processors, while other subnotebooks use more powerful processors such as ULV types.
In 2008, Apple introduced the MacBook Air, which the company claimed was the world's thinnest notebook. This model was notable for offering no built-in optical drive. [35] [36]
In the same year Lenovo released last widely known hi-end 12" subnotebook line without touchpad, the ThinkPad X200, X200s and X200 Tablet models. [37]
In 2010 saw a number of semi-rugged low-end subnotebooks for the education market, including the Dell Latitude 2100, Lenovo ThinkPad x100e, and HP ProBook Education Edition; these notably had laptop charging trolley support.
In 2011, the first Chromebooks were introduced by Google, and Intel's introduced the Ultrabook branding for premium thin-and-light laptops. Over the next several years, specific marketing of laptops as "subnotebooks" died out, and since 2017 the term is essentially dead in mainstream branding. As of the early 2020s plenty of smaller laptops remain on the market which could adequately be described as subnotebooks, ranging from the likes of the GPD Pocket (7-inch display) [39] to Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (12-inch display), [40] and the term is still sometimes used informally although is no longer used by manufacturers.
A laptop computer or notebook computer, also known as a laptop or notebook, is a small, portable personal computer (PC). Laptops typically have a clamshell form factor with a flat-panel screen on the inside of the upper lid and an alphanumeric keyboard and pointing device on the inside of the lower lid. Most of the computer's internal hardware is in the lower part, under the keyboard, although many modern laptops have a built-in webcam at the top of the screen, and some even feature a touchscreen display. In most cases, unlike tablet computers which run on mobile operating systems, laptops tend to run on desktop operating systems, which were originally developed for desktop computers.
VAIO is a brand of personal computers and consumer electronics, currently developed by Japanese manufacturer VAIO Corporation, headquartered in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. VAIO was formerly a brand of Sony, introduced in 1996, until it offloaded it into an independent company in 2014; Japan Industrial Partners owns VAIO Corporation, with Sony maintaining a minority stake. Sony still holds the intellectual property rights for the VAIO brand and logo. In November 2024, it was announced that Japanese retailer Nojima will take control of Vaio, expected to finalize in January 2025.
ThinkPad is an American line of business-oriented laptop and tablet computers produced since 1992. The early models were designed, developed and marketed by International Business Machines (IBM) until it sold its PC business to Lenovo in 2005; since 2007, all new ThinkPad models have been branded Lenovo instead and the Chinese manufacturer has continued to develop and sell ThinkPads to the present day.
The IBM ThinkPad 701 is a subnotebook in the ThinkPad line by IBM. The 701 is colloquially known as the Butterfly due to its sliding keyboard, which was designed by John Karidis. It was developed from 1993 and sold from March 1995 until later that year and priced between $1,499 and $3,299. The 701 was the most sold laptop in 1995 and has received 27 design awards. It was based on either the DX2 or the DX4 version of the Intel i486, combined with the CT-65545 graphics chip. The 701Cs version used a DSTN display, while the 701C used a TFT LCD. It was pre-installed with Windows 3.11 and for the DX4 models also with OS/2 Warp 3.0. The 701 was discontinued because the keyboard design was no longer a necessity after screen sizes increased.
A netbook is a small-sized laptop computer; they were primarily sold from 2007 until around 2013, designed mostly as a means of accessing the Internet and being significantly less expensive.
The LTE is a line of notebook-sized laptops manufactured by Compaq Computer Corporation, introduced in 1989 and discontinued in 1997. It was the first notebook computer sold by Compaq and the first commercially successful notebook that was compatible with the IBM PC.
An ultra-mobile PC, or ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), is a miniature version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in Spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was only sold in Asia. UMPCs are generally smaller than subnotebooks, have a TFT display measuring (diagonally) about 12.7 to 17.8 centimetres, are operated like tablet PCs using a touchscreen or a stylus, and can also have a physical keyboard. There is no clear boundary between subnotebooks and ultra-mobile PCs, but UMPCs commonly have major features not found in the common clamshell laptop design, such as small keys on either side of the screen, or a slide-out keyboard.
Asus Eee is a family of products by AsusTek Computer Inc. The product family began with the release of the Eee PC subnotebook in 2007; since then, the product family has diversified into a number of PC form factors. According to the company, the name Eee derives from "the three Es," an abbreviation of its advertising slogan for the device: "Easy to learn, Easy to work, Easy to play".
The history of laptops describes the efforts, begun in the 1970s, to build small, portable personal computers that combine the components, inputs, outputs and capabilities of a desktop computer in a small chassis.
The Sony Vaio P series is a range of ultraportable subnotebook computers launched in January 2009.
IBM ThinkPad 770 was a laptop designed and manufactured by IBM targeted for the business, enterprise and professional user. It was the last lineup in the ThinkPad 700-series, succeeding the 760 as the high-end laptop of the ThinkPad lineup. The line was produced from October 1997 to May 2000, and eventually replaced by the ThinkPad models A20m and A20p.
The Vaio C1 PictureBook was a series of subnotebooks from Sony's Vaio lineup, branded 'PictureBook' for its webcam and video capture capabilities, a first for portable computers. PictureBooks were lightweight computers, weighing 1kg. They featured 8.9" LCD displays, and were notable for being the first consumer laptop with a built-in webcam.
The ThinkPad E Series is a notebook computer series produced since 2010 by Lenovo. It is the most affordable sibling in the ThinkPad family and is aimed at small business users as well as education markets.
The ThinkPad T series is a line of notebook computers manufactured by Lenovo as part of the ThinkPad family. The T series is officially the flagship ThinkPad product, offering high-performance computers aimed at businesses and professionals. The ThinkPad X series was originally introduced in 2000 and was produced by IBM until 2005.
The ThinkPad X series is a line of notebook computers and convertible tablets produced by Lenovo as part of the ThinkPad family. The ThinkPad X series is traditionally the range best designed for mobile use, with ultraportable sizes and less power compared to the flagship ThinkPad T series. It was initially produced by IBM until 2005.
The ThinkPad 755 is a series of high-end notebook-sized laptops released by IBM from 1994 to 1996. All models in the line feature either the i486 processor or the original Pentium processor by Intel, clocked between 50 and 100 MHz. The ThinkPad 755CD, introduced in October 1994, was the first notebook on the market with an internal full-sized CD-ROM drive. The ThinkPad 755 series was the top-selling laptop for much of 1994, beating out competition from Apple Computer and Compaq. IBM replaced it with the ThinkPad 760 series in January 1996.
The Digital HiNote was a series of laptop computers manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from 1994 until 1998 and by Compaq from 1998 until 2002. It was generally positively reviewed by technology journalists. The series consisted of the VP and Ultra models which were based on the i486, Pentium, Pentium MMX and Pentium II. After Digital was acquired by Compaq in 1998, the series was phased out.
The Intel-based MacBook Air is a discontinued line of notebook computers developed and manufactured by Apple Inc from 2008 to 2020. The Air was originally positioned above the previous MacBook line as a premium ultraportable. Since then, the original MacBook's discontinuation in 2011, and lowered prices on subsequent iterations, made the Air Apple's entry-level notebook.
The IBM ThinkPad T30 is a laptop computer manufactured by IBM.
A notebook computer or notebook is, historically, a laptop whose length and width approximate that of letter paper.
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