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Thirty Years of Clamshell Computing

Posted by samzenpus on from the form-factor dept.

harrymcc writes "2012 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Grid Compass 1101, the first portable computer with a briefcase-like case with a keyboard on one side of the interior, a flat screen on the other, and a hinge in the middle--the 'clamshell' design that eventually became standard for all portable PCs. It's proven to be a remarkably useful and durable design, and only with the advent of the iPad has it faced serious competition."

4 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Miniturization of electronics by MyLongNickName · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As electronics become smaller, the only pieces that must remain large are the input and output devices, so the clamshell makes the best use of space. The iPad's input device isn't meant for serious input... a keystroke here or a mouse click there. Typing a real paragraph is a pain the fingers.

    Now what I am really looking forward to is when these computers can output directly to my retina :)

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  2. Read vs. Write by Maximum+Prophet · · Score: 5, Funny

    If they could input directly from your mind, why bother without output via retina? That's an analog connection..

    Presumably, reading minds is safer than writing minds.

    --
    All ideas^H^H^H^H^Hprocesses in this post are Patent Pending. (as well as the process of patenting all postings)
    1. Re:Read vs. Write by gman003 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Indeed.

      You know what happens when someone forgets to check the bounds of their array and starts writing data to another process's memory?

      Yeah. Imagine if that other process was your visual cortex.

  3. Best use of space in clamshell? NOT by Alwin+Henseler · · Score: 5, Interesting

    (..) so the clamshell makes the best use of space.

    Considering today's power/heat constraints, I find the usual "CPU/GPU under keyboard" configuration illogical. Why not a CPU / GPU / RAM board behind the screen, with a large/thin (passive, if possible) cooling plate at the rear? Or draw air in near the hinges, let air out near the top of the screen (again, passive if possible). Those 2 cooling methods wouldn't bite each other... Then just battery, keyboard, hard disk and peripherals like DVD drive (if fitted) under the keyboard. A few serial connections like USB / SATA + power between the two halves. Likely would leave more space such that a larger battery is possible.

    Much better than packing heat-producing CPU/GPU right next to a heat-sensitive battery (+ a tiny blower to pull that heat out).