> Because Apple invented it with the PowerBook 100 series and no one has come up with anything better?
No, I think it's because laptops have 2 primary things going for them:
1. They're portable
2. They're all-in-one (primarily, there's still the charger)
I agree with the GP post, the folding screen seems more like a novelty at this point given it forces you to sacrifice (a) an included keyboard and (b) with the keyboard separate, you are limited to the places you can actually use the laptop (I know I'm probably rare but I actually use my laptop on my lap on the couch).
I think that's also why tablets are successful, they're even more portable and they're still all in one. I think a portable computing device that doesn't satisfy those characteristics is going to have an uphill battle.
With the PowerBook 100 series reference I was referring to the way the laptop was laid out.
Obviously other people made things that look like laptops before. It didn’t take people long to figure out the screen goes on top and the keyboard goes on the bottom.
But other than that things weren’t exactly standardize the way they are today. Much of the time the keyboard was near the bottom of the case instead of the top, so there was no wrist rest area. And then you had the problem of the mouse which was just starting to get popular. Some laptops had a little tiny joystick/control pad thingy next to the screen in the bezel. Some, like Compaq, offered a track ball that would mount onto the side of the computer. Or people put a little tiny track ball up next to the screen. One very creative company had a little tiny pop out mouse.
But Apple was the first one to put the keyboard near the back, giving you wrist rests upfront, and put the trackball (later trackpad) in the middle of the front. The layout practically every laptop uses today.
The only real serious attempt at changing things I’m aware of would be machines where you can either turn the display around to use it like a tablet, or remove the keyboard all together like the Surface.
No, I think it's because laptops have 2 primary things going for them:
1. They're portable
2. They're all-in-one (primarily, there's still the charger)
I agree with the GP post, the folding screen seems more like a novelty at this point given it forces you to sacrifice (a) an included keyboard and (b) with the keyboard separate, you are limited to the places you can actually use the laptop (I know I'm probably rare but I actually use my laptop on my lap on the couch).
I think that's also why tablets are successful, they're even more portable and they're still all in one. I think a portable computing device that doesn't satisfy those characteristics is going to have an uphill battle.