| In May, 2003, laptop computer sales exceeded those | | | | a technology that will allow laptops to be charged |
| of desktop computers for the first time. This trend has | | | | simply by placing them on a network of magnets that |
| only continued through the years, and today, many | | | | can transmit power wirelessly. eliminating the need to |
| computer owners no longer use a desktop PC at all. | | | | carry an AC adapter. Simply place the magnetic array |
| As laptops have become more ubiquitous, however, | | | | in the location where you will be using your computer, |
| computer manufacturers have been forced to use | | | | set the laptop on it, and go! |
| innovation as a tool to keep customers buying. | | | | In the coming years, laptops will continue to become |
| Currently, a number of extremely exciting new age | | | | more ecologically friendly, and may soon offer days of |
| laptop design concepts are being tested, with new | | | | battery life between charges. Solar chargers are |
| features with features that will likely appear in stores | | | | already available for a variety of portable devices, and |
| by 2010-11. | | | | as this technology continues to improve, other |
| Dual-screened laptops are likely to become very | | | | companies such as LG are planning to take things in a |
| popular soon in certain markets, musicians being one | | | | different direction. LG recently showcased a concept |
| prominent example. V12 Design and Fujitsu are both | | | | laptop utilizing fuel cells rather than standard batteries. |
| testing dual-display machines with touch screen | | | | Not to be outdone, other manufacturers like Sony are |
| capability. This would allow musicians to put a virtual | | | | putting battery-saving technologies into use today by |
| turntable or mixing board where the keyboard would | | | | miniaturizing their products to levels never before seen. |
| normally be, providing valuable immediate visual | | | | Their Vaio P laptop is about as wide as a clutch purse |
| feedback. This design would have a number of other | | | | and as thick as a cell phone, and promises battery life |
| exciting uses as well, such as having the ability to turn | | | | of up to six hours. |
| the laptop on its side and hold it open like a book. | | | | With all of these exciting new technologies debuting |
| Wouldn't it be nice if your laptop could constantly keep | | | | within the next few years, there has never been a |
| you updated with crucial information, without the need | | | | more exciting time to be a computer owner. In the |
| to constantly keep it open on your desk? Soon, | | | | coming years, laptops will become easier to interact |
| laptops will have the ability to sync wirelessly with | | | | with, and more useful for specialized tasks. They will |
| external displays. At work, your display will keep you | | | | continue to become smaller and more stylish, and the |
| informed with upcoming appointments, and at home, a | | | | wires will continue to fall away as increased battery |
| smaller display, perhaps on your wristwatch, will flash if | | | | life and efficiency will make it less necessary to tether |
| you receive a new email. Laptops will become more | | | | your laptop to the wall. |
| wireless in other ways, as well. Intel is currently testing | | | | |