Subnotebook

Image:Eee PC 901-X vs. ThinkPad s30 (open style) (2808564209).jpg, 10.4") and early netbooks (2008's Eee PC 901, 8.9"); note to reduced keycaps size]]

As typical laptop sizes have decreased over the course of the 2010s, and other distinguishing features have become mainstream, the distinction between regular-size and 'subnotebook' laptops has largely disappeared. To the extent that it still exists, 'subnotebook' could be defined as machines with screen smaller than 13" but with a permanently-attached keyboard intended for two-handed typing.

Prior to this convergence, subnotebooks were also distinguished from netbooks and ultra-mobile PCs, based on both size and market position. Subnotebooks run full desktop class operating systems, and their CPUs are usually the same as those in desktops although perhaps modified for lower power consumption.{{Cite web |title=Smaller is getting better : The unbeatable lightness of miniature laptops |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/22/business/worldbusiness/IHT-smaller-is-getting-better-the-unbeatable-lightness.html |access-date=2024-11-22}}

Classic subnotebooks were smaller than full-sized laptops but larger than handheld computers. They were distinguished by smaller screens and bodies and lighter weights relative to contemporaneous laptops. The savings in size and weight were often achieved partly by omitting ports, and these were typically the first machines to omit optical disc drives or on some of the earliest models, floppy disk drives.

They were also some of the first systems which could be paired with docking stations to compensate. One notable form-factor of subnotebook-oriented docks were "slice docks" — a more transportable version of the classic docking station.{{Cite web|title=Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Review - Notebook Reviews by MobileTechReview|url=https://www.mobiletechreview.com/notebooks/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X220.htm|access-date=2021-04-25|website=www.mobiletechreview.com}}{{Cite web|last=Jentsch|first=Sebastian|title=Review Sony Vaio VPC-SA2Z9E/B (i7, SSD, HD 6630M) Subnotebook|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Sony-Vaio-VPC-SA2Z9E-B-i7-SSD-HD-6630M-Subnotebook.58359.0.html|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Notebookcheck|language=en}}

class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="min-width:70%; font-size:85%;" ! colspan="6" |Subnotebooks relative to other laptop marketing terms
|Type !|Screen size !|Weight !|Distinguishing Characteristics !|CPU type(s) !|Years of production
Classic subnotebook |5-12" |0.9-1.8 kg | |Varies, mostly x86 |1992-2018 (worldwide)/ 2018-current (Asia only){{Cite web|last=Chakrabarty|first=Jayaditya|date=2020-10-13|title=Panasonic Launched New Rugged Notebook CF-SV8|url=https://www.reviewcenter.in/10137/panasonic-launched-new-rugged-notebook-cf-sv8/|access-date=2021-04-23|website=Review Center India|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=devicenext|date=2020-06-29|title=Panasonic Toughbook CF-SV8|url=https://devicenext.com/panasonic-toughbook-cf-sv8/|access-date=2021-04-23|website=DEVICENEXT|language=en-US}}
Palmtop/handheld |5-9" |0.3-0.8 kg |Size, and miniaturized keyboard |Varies, typically ultra-low power |1989-current
Netbook |7-13" |0.7-1.5 kg |Very low cost |Low power x86; most often Intel Atom |2007-2015
Smartbook |5-10" |0.4–1 kg |Mobile broadband modem |x86 low power or ARM |2009-2011
Chromebook |10-15" |varies |ChromeOS |x86 or ARM |2011-current
Ultrabook |12-17" |0.7-1.6 kg |Use of premium materials, particularly a metal chassis |Intel x86 |2011-2018 (trademark is still active){{Cite web|date=2012-05-17|title=Why Ultrabook Laptops Aren't Just MacBook Air Clones|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/255706/why_ultrabook_laptops_arent_just_macbook_air_clones.html|access-date=2021-04-23|website=PCWorld|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-07|title=Not sure what Intel Evo means for laptops? We explain it all right here.|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/intel-evo|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Windows Central}}

The Epson HX-20, released in 1982, was the first portable computer to be classified by journalists as a "notebook computer". This nomenclature derives from its footprint roughly occupying the same dimensions as an A4-sized notebook, small enough to fit inside a briefcase.{{cite book | editor-last=Kent | editor-first=Allen | editor2=James G. Williams | date=1990 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wdKpDwAAQBAJ | title=Encyclopedia of Microcomputers | volume=6 | publisher=Marcel Dekker | page=298 | isbn=9781000723304 | via=Google Books}}{{cite web | date=n.d. | url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1158543/epson-hx-20-portable-computer-epson/ | title=Epson HX-20 | publisher=Victoria and Albert Museum}} The similarly designed TRS-80 Model 100 from 1983 was the first commercially successful notebook and is credited with spawning an industry of smaller portable computers.{{cite web | last=McCracken | first=Harry | date=August 6, 2012 | url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/06/tech/gaming-gadgets/anniversary-radio-shack-computer/index.html | title=A 35th-anniversary salute to Radio Shack's TRS-80 | work=CNN.com | publisher=Warner Bros. Discovery | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415122425/https://www.cnn.com/2012/08/06/tech/gaming-gadgets/anniversary-radio-shack-computer/index.html | archivedate=April 15, 2022}} Like the HX-20, the Model 100 was smaller than contemporary clam-shell machines; both use a slate form factor, with no hinge and the keyboard and screen on the same plane. The Model 100's later sibling the Tandy 200 was a clam-shell design and smaller than contemporary laptops.

The NEC UltraLite, launched in 1988, was the first clamshell "notebook computer" compatible with the IBM PC, a platform whose market share dominated the microcomputer industry throughout the 1980s onward. Its relatively small dimensions — 48 × 220 × 280 mm (1.4 × 8.3 × 11.75 inches) — matched those of a pair of stacked US Letter (similar to A4) size paper notebooks.{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=August 21, 1990 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/427761532/ | title=Notable Notebooks | journal=The New York Times | page=C7 | via=ProQuest}} Owing to its lack of a floppy drive (in favor of proprietary solid-state storage), the UltraLite did not see massive uptake by the general public. The first commercially successful notebook in this vein, the Compaq LTE, was released in 1989 to critical acclaim and high sales.{{cite journal | last=Bridges | first=Linda | date=March 1, 1999 | url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A53975770/GPS?sid=wikipedia | title=Making a Difference | journal=eWeek | publisher=Ziff-Davis | page=76 | via=Gale}}{{cite journal | last=Lewis | first=Peter H. | date=October 17, 1989 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/science/personal-computers-compaq-does-it-again.html | title=Compaq Does It Again | journal=The New York Times | page=C8 | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20231019055439/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/science/personal-computers-compaq-does-it-again.html | archivedate=October 19, 2023}} The success of the LTE convinced IBM and Apple to release their own slimmer laptops, starting with the PS/2 Model L40 SX and the PowerBook 100, respectively.{{cite book | chapter=Apple PowerBook: Design Quality and Time to Market | last=Thomke | first=Stefan H. | date=2007 | chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/managingproducts0000thom/page/59/ | title=Managing Product and Service Department: Text and Cases | publisher=McGraw-Hill/Irwin | pages=59–82 | isbn=9780073023014 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|59}}{{cite book | last=Dell | first=Deborah A. | date=2000 | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780672317569/page/75/ | title=ThinkPad: A Different Shade of Blue | publisher=Sams Publishing | pages=75–78 | isbn=9780672317569 | via=the Internet Archive}}{{rp|75}} IBM replaced the L40 SX with the PS/2 note in early 1992 and the ThinkPad line in late 1992.

There were also a few notable smaller-than subnotebook PCs at this time, including the Atari Portfolio and HP 95LX{{Cite web|title=Retro Isle - HP95LX, 100LX and 200LX|url=http://retroisle.com/others/hp95lx/general.php|access-date=2021-01-06|website=retroisle.com}} — both very small MS-DOS machines, roughly comparable in size to later handheld PCs.

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At the end of 1992, PCMag magazine{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IuaYd-eFaFoC&q=subnotebook+1992&pg=PA112|title=PC Mag|date=1992-10-27|publisher=Ziff Davis, Inc.|language=en}} described two models as subnotebooks: these were the Gateway HandBook the Dell 320SLi{{Cite book|last=Torgan|first=Emerson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F1DQ5qoGN5IC&q=Dell_320SLi_release_date&pg=PA46|title=Dell Breaks the Full-Featured 4-Pound Barrier with Compact 320SLi|date=1992-10-13|publisher=PC Mag|pages=46|language=en}}{{Cite book|last=Lee|first=Yvonne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YFEEAAAAMBAJ&q=Dell_320SLi&pg=PA18|title=Dell's notebook drops the weight, retains the power|date=1992-06-08|publisher=InfoWorld|pages=18|language=en}} (both less than a 1.6 kg weight), and another was released in Italy: the Olivetti Quaderno.{{cite web|title=Lavorare dovunque: i computer portatili Olivetti|url=http://www.storiaolivetti.it/percorso.asp?idPercorso=639|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130231/http://www.storiaolivetti.it/percorso.asp?idPercorso=639|archive-date=2 April 2015|access-date=2 April 2011}}

Apple and Compaq did not label their machines as "subnotebooks" in this period, but the PowerBook Duo and Compaq LTE Lite otherwise qualify, and both lines were among the first to broadly popularize docking stations.

Another early model was the Hewlett-Packard OmniBook 300, which was launched as a "superportable" in 1993; it was one of the first examples to use a flash memory disk instead of a hard drive, to reduce the weight.[http://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/9/ptp90024.htm Hardware] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227141314/http://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/9/ptp90024.htm |date=2012-02-27 }}

Toshiba, also entered the market that year with the Portege T3400 and T3400CT, claiming that "It's the first subnotebook computer with all the functionality of a much larger computer";{{cite web|url=http://www.toshiba-europe.com/bv/computers/products/notebooks/t3400ct/index.shtm|title=Support – Business PCs - Toshiba|website=www.toshiba-europe.com|access-date=6 April 2018}} the T3400CT was the first subnotebook with a color screen. in 1995, Tosbiba introduced the Libretto 20, with a 6.1″ screen; CNet reported about the Libretto 50CT that "[it] is the first full-fledged Windows 95 notebook in the United States weighing less than two pounds".{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/Toshiba+unwraps+subnotebook/2100-1001_3-200163.html|title=Toshiba unwraps subnotebook|date=2 June 1997|website=cnet.com}}

Compaq introduced its own short lived subnotebook line in 1994 called Contura Aero, notable for using a battery which was intended to be standard rather than only useful for Compaq products.{{Cite web|title=QuickSpecs -- Compaq Contura Aero (Consumer Products)|url=https://www.rigacci.org/comp/aero/doc/compaq/aero_consumer.html|access-date=2021-01-06|website=www.rigacci.org}}

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| footer = IBM Palm Top PC 110 with and without slice port replicator

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IBM released a Palm Top PC (handheld laptop with 4.7" screen) in 1995.[http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/press/pdf/archive_1995.pdf#page=52 1995 Press Release - 年のプレスリリース一] IBM.com

IBM had sold "thin and light" models in its ThinkPad range, such as the ThinkPad 560 ultraportable (1996) and best-selling ThinkPad 600 (1998). It finally entered the subnotebook market in 1999 with the 1.3 kg ThinkPad 240, targeted at business travellers.{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WUB/is_1999_June_21/ai_54933672|title=FindArticles.com - CBSi|website=findarticles.com|access-date=6 April 2018}} The 240 and 240X had 10.4″ screens. Later, however, IBM replaced these with the X range, with 12.1″ screens.{{Cite web|last=HPC:Factor|title=IBM Workpad z50 Review|url=https://www.hpcfactor.com/reviews/hardware/ibm/workpad-z50/|access-date=2020-12-04|website=HPC:Factor|language=en-gb}}

Image:PowerBook Duo 270c.jpg

In 1997 Mitsubishi Electric released ultra-compact 12.1" Mitsubishi Pedion laptop line with ultrathin magnesium case (18 × 218 × 297 mm) and chiclet keyboard.{{Cite web|title=Pedionペディオン (Mitsubishi) 1997年|url=https://lancelot2.blog.ss-blog.jp/2011-03-19-1|access-date=2020-12-05|website=古いハードに囲まれて}} This short-living model line was sold only in Japan, and was discontinued after some hardware issues. Sony launched an ultraportable (ultrathin) less than an inch thick in Japan - the PCG-505, which reached the US in 1997 as the VAIO 505GX. This was followed by the even thinner Sony VAIO X505, which measured just 0.8 × 8.2 × 10.2 inches, and reached 0.3″ at its thinnest.{{cite web|date=31 August 2004|title=Sony VAIO X505 review: Sony VAIO X505|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_VAIO_X505_series/4505-3121_7-30886049.html?tag=sub|access-date=6 April 2018}} However, it was very expensive and had poor battery life, and was soon withdrawn.

Apple replaced the aging PowerBook Duo line with relatively light-weight ({{cvt|4.4|lb|kg}}) but short-lived PowerBook 2400c; this was co-designed by IBM, and manufactured for Apple by IBM Japan. In 2000 Compaq released a more compact successor of Digital HiNote line - the 10.3" Armada M300, with magnesium case and 1.6 kg weight.

Sony also launched the C1 range of subnotebooks, starting in Japan in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/199809/98-085/index.html|title=Sony Global - Press Release - Sony Announces New VAIO Notebook Computer Equipped with a Built-in Miniature CCD Video Camera for Sending Images over E-mail|website=www.sony.net}}

This period was notable for a major split between lower-power-consumption and higher power x86 processors in laptops; although Intel released the Pentium 4 mobile chips, the mobile Pentium III remained available because of high power consumption on the Pentium 4 leading to high heat and short battery life. This was followed by the Pentium M, which was a dedicated line of mobile processors with no desktop equivalent. This era also featured processors from Transmeta, intended to be extremely power efficient.

One of the most notable Sony models was the Vaio PCG-C1VE or PictureBook (2001). It was one of the first machines with a digital camera built into the lid, which could be used for video conferencing or swiveled to photograph a scene.{{cite web |url=http://frijoles.hungry.com/c1-info/index.html |title=Sony Vaio C1 Laptop Info |access-date=2007-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20020603021829/http://frijoles.hungry.com/c1-info/index.html |archive-date=2002-06-03 }}

This was followed in 2005 by the Flybook convertible with a 8.9 inch touch screen. The Flybook featured a built-in phone connection for GPRS or 3G networking, and is available in a range of bright colors. This was covered in non-computer magazines including GQ, FHM, Elle and Rolling Stone.{{cite web|url=http://www.flybook.biz/en/?section=press|title=Fly book - The world's most popular frequent flyer community - Fly book is a living, growing community where frequent travelers around the world come to exchange knowledge and experiences about everything miles and points related.|website=www.flybook.biz|access-date=6 April 2018|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122010309/http://flybook.biz/en/?section=press|archive-date=22 November 2005}}

In 2006, Microsoft introduced a new ultra-mobile PC format, under the code-name Origami. These were smaller versions of Tablet PC computers; One example was the Samsung Q1.{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Martyn|date=2006-03-09|title=Hands on with Samsung's Q1 (Origami)|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2563032/hands-on-with-samsung-s-q1--origami-.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Computerworld|language=en}}

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| footer = Left: 2012's Dell Latitude XT3 - as a sample of the latest classic subnotebooks with dock station support, additional battery, ruggerized case, 35W CPU{{Cite web|title=Intel® Core™ i7-2640M Processor (4M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz) Product Specifications|url=https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/53464/intel-core-i7-2640m-processor-4m-cache-up-to-3-50-ghz.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=ark.intel.com|language=en}} and additional input options.{{br}}Right: Asus, Everex and HP netbooks/smartbooks

}}Since 2007, the laptop computer market has seen an increased segmentation of microprocessor lines to different purposes and power levels, including the introduction of the Intel Atom, ultra-low-voltage processors which has since having become mainstream, and the use of ARM microprocessors.

Another notable implementation was a migrate from CCFL screen backlit to more energy-efficiently and compact LED-backlit screens. On the other hand, over the course of the 2010s, with growing of sales for mainstream users, optical drives and legacy ports became uncommon, and some classic subnotebook features (like additional replaceable batteries, alternative input methods, docking options, Smart Cards, mobile broadband modules, additional storage) become rare. At Computex 2011 Intel announced a new system branding called Ultrabooks; these very much match the prior description of subnotebooks - they used lower-powered processors (but not as low-end as netbooks) and with each generation of Intel processors, the lower-powered U-series processors became a larger part of mainstream sales. typically lacked optical drives and legacy ports, and were generally compact, but as marketed the two terms were rarely used together. Noticeable releases:

In 2007 the ASUS Eee PC became the first of a new class of low-cost laptops commonly called netbooks. Netbooks are typically based upon the Atom processors, while other subnotebooks use more powerful processors such as ULV types.

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In 2008, Apple introduced the MacBook Air, which the company claimed was the world's thinnest notebook. This model was notable for offering no built-in optical drive.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/15/macbook_air/|title=It was the MacBook Air sub-notebook|access-date=2017-12-27|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/kb/SP753?locale=en_AU|title=MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) - Technical Specifications|website=support.apple.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-27}}

In the same year Lenovo released last widely known hi-end 12" subnotebook line without touchpad, the ThinkPad X200, X200s and X200 Tablet models.{{Cite web|title=Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Review|url=http://www.notebookreview.com/notebookreview/lenovo-thinkpad-x200-review/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.notebookreview.com}}

In 2010 saw a number of semi-rugged low-end subnotebooks for the education market, including the Dell Latitude 2100, Lenovo ThinkPad x100e, and HP ProBook Education Edition; these notably had laptop charging trolley support.

File:Samsung-Chromebook-box.jpg

In 2011, the first Chromebooks were introduced by Google, and Intel's introduced the Ultrabook branding for premium thin-and-light laptops. Over the next several years, specific marketing of laptops as "subnotebooks" died out, and since 2017 the term is essentially dead in mainstream branding. As of the early 2020s plenty of smaller laptops remain on the market which could adequately be described as subnotebooks, ranging from the likes of the GPD Pocket (7-inch display){{Cite web |title=7-inch subnotebook GPD Pocket starts crowdfunding February 15 |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/7-inch-subnotebook-GPD-Pocket-starts-crowdfunding-February-15.196632.0.html |access-date=2024-11-22}} to Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (12-inch display),{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 in review - Overpriced subnotebook without keyboard illumination |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-Go-3-in-review-Overpriced-subnotebook-without-keyboard-illumination.758467.0.html |access-date=2024-11-22}} and the term is still sometimes used informally although is no longer used by manufacturers.

{{Commons category|Subnotebooks}}

• List of computer size categories
• Netbook
• Palmtop/Handheld
• Intel Mobile Internet Device
• UMPC, a small form-factor tablet PC platform
• Smartbook

{{Reflist}}{{Clear}}

{{Computer sizes}}

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