Definition

portable computer

A portable computer is a personal computer that is designed to be easily transported and relocated, but is larger and less convenient to transport than a notebook computer. The earliest PCs designed for easy transport were called portables. As the size and weight of most portables decreased, they became known as laptop computer and later as notebook computer. Today, larger transportable computers continue to be called portable computers. Most of these are special-purpose computers - for example, those for use in industrial environments where they need to be moved about frequently.

This was last updated in April 2005
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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