Editing Laptop (section)

== Types of laptops ==
[[File:Compaq Armada 7800.jpg|thumb|[[Compaq Armada]] laptop from the late 1990s]]
[[File:Macbook Air.jpg|thumb|Apple [[MacBook Air]], an "ultraportable" laptop weighing under {{convert|3.0|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}}]]
[[File:Lenovo Ideapad 3 20240401 121836.jpg|thumb|A [[IdeaPad|Lenovo IdeaPad]] laptop]]
[[File:ThinkPad X220.jpg|thumb|Lenovo's [[ThinkPad]] business laptop, originally an [[IBM]] product]]

[[File:Asus Transformer Pad TF701T Tablet and Keyboard Dock.png|thumb|[[ASUS Transformer|Asus Transformer Pad]], a hybrid tablet, powered by [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Operating system|OS]]]]
[[File:Microsoft Surface Pro 3 with Type Cover.jpg|thumb|[[Microsoft Surface Pro 3]], 2-in-1 detachable]]
[[File:Alienware.JPG|thumb|[[Alienware]] gaming laptop with [[backlit]] keyboard and touch pad]]
[[File:Samsung QX-511 (2).JPG|thumb|[[Samsung Sens]] laptop]]
[[File:Toughbook-cf-m34 4.jpg|thumb|right|[[Toughbook|Panasonic Toughbook]] CF-M34, a rugged laptop/subnotebook]]

Since the 1970s introduction of portable computers, their forms have changed significantly, resulting in a variety of visually and technologically differing subclasses. Excepting distinct legal trademark around terms (notably [[Ultrabook]]), hard distinctions between these classes were rare, and their usage has varied over time and between sources. Since the late 2010s, more specific terms have become less commonly used, with sizes distinguished largely by the size of the screen.

===Smaller and larger laptops===
{{Main|Notebook (laptop)|Subnotebook|Desktop replacement computer}}

There were in the past a number of marketing categories for smaller and larger laptop computers; these included "notebook" and "[[subnotebook]]" models, low cost "[[netbook]]s", and "[[ultra-mobile PC]]s" where the size class overlapped with devices like [[smartphone]] and handheld [[Tablet computer|tablets]], and "[[Desktop replacement]]" laptops for machines notably larger and heavier than typical to operate more powerful [[Central processing unit|processors]] or [[Graphics processing unit|graphics hardware]].<ref name="types_cnet">{{cite web|title=Laptop Buying Guide|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7602_7-1016082-2.html|access-date=7 November 2008|website=CNET}}</ref> All of these terms have fallen out of favor as the size of mainstream laptops has gone down and their capabilities have gone up; except for niche models, laptop sizes tend to be distinguished by the size of the screen, and for more powerful models, by any specialized purpose the machine is intended for, such as a "[[Gaming computer|gaming laptop]]" or a "[[Workstation|mobile workstation]]" for professional use.{{See also|Gaming computer#Gaming laptop computers|Mobile workstation}}

===Convertible, hybrid, 2-in-1===
{{anchor|Convertible}}
{{anchor|Hybrid}}
{{main|2-in-1 PC}}

The latest trend of [[technological convergence]] in the portable computer industry spawned a broad range of devices, which combined features of several previously separate device types. The ''hybrids'', ''convertibles'', and ''2-in-1s'' emerged as crossover devices, which share traits of both tablets and laptops. All such devices have a [[touchscreen]] display designed to allow users to work in a ''tablet'' mode, using either [[multi-touch]] gestures or a [[stylus (computing)|stylus]]/[[digital pen]].

[[2-in-1 PC|Convertibles]] are devices with the ability to conceal a hardware keyboard. Keyboards on such devices can be flipped, rotated, or slid behind the back of the chassis, thus transforming from a laptop into a tablet. ''Hybrids'' have a keyboard detachment mechanism, and due to this feature, all critical components are situated in the part with the display. ''2-in-1s'' can have a hybrid or a convertible form, often dubbed ''2-in-1 detachable'' and ''2-in-1 convertibles'' respectively, but are distinguished by the ability to run a desktop [[operating system|OS]], such as [[Windows 10]]. 2-in-1s are often marketed as ''laptop replacement tablets''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/best-2-in-1-pcs-in-2020-when-you-need-a-laptop-and-tablet-in-one/|title=Best 2-in-1 PCs in 2020 for when you need a laptop and tablet in one|website=CNET|language=en-US|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> As with nearly all of these distinctions, they are marketing terms first and technical distinctions secondarily, and vendors are not consistent in using a single name for a given type of device. 

2-in-1s are often very thin, around {{convert|10|mm}}, and light devices with a long battery life. 2-in-1s are distinguished from mainstream tablets as they feature an [[x86]]-architecture [[CPU]] (typically a low- or [[ultra-low-voltage]] model), such as the Intel [[Intel Core|Core i5]], run a full-featured desktop [[operating system|OS]] like [[Windows 10]], and have a number of typical laptop [[I/O]] ports, such as [[USB 3]] and [[Mini DisplayPort]].

2-in-1s are designed to be used not only as a [[media consumption]] device but also as valid desktop or laptop replacements, due to their ability to run ''desktop'' applications, such as [[Adobe Photoshop]]. It is possible to connect multiple [[peripheral]] devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, and several external displays to a modern 2-in-1.

[[Microsoft Surface]] Pro-series devices and [[Surface Book]] are examples of modern 2-in-1 detachable, whereas [[Lenovo Yoga]]-series computers are a variant of 2-in-1 convertibles. While the older [[Surface RT]] and [[Surface 2]] have the same chassis design as the Surface Pro, their use of [[ARM processors]] and [[Windows RT]] do not classify them as 2-in-1s, but as hybrid tablets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/faqs/laptop-faqs/what-is-hybrid/|title=What Is a Hybrid Laptop? {{!}} Advantages & Buying Guide {{!}} Lenovo US|website=lenovo.com|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> 

The distinction between a "tablet with a keyboard" and a 2-in-1 laptop generally rests on the operating system; if they run a [[mobile operating system]], such as [[Android (operating system)|Android]] or [[IOS]], they are generally marketed as tablets, while if they run a general purpose operating system like [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] or [[MacOS]], they are generally marketed as laptops.

===Rugged laptop===
{{Main|Rugged computer}}

A rugged laptop is designed to reliably operate in harsh usage conditions such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures, and wet or dusty environments. Rugged laptops are bulkier, heavier, and much more expensive than regular laptops,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/rugged-laptop.html |title=Rugged Laptop: Choices, Pointers & Specs of Buying Rugged Laptops |access-date=27 November 2008 |website=Linux-on-laptops.com}}</ref> and thus are seldom seen in regular consumer use.