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Subnotebook, also calledultraportable,superportable,handtop,mini notebook ormini laptop, is a type oflaptop computer that is smaller and lighter than a typicalnotebook-sized laptop.
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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 fromnetbooks andultra-mobile PCs, based on both size and market position. Subnotebooks run fulldesktop class operating systems, and their CPUs are usually the same as those in desktops although perhaps modified for lower power consumption.[1]
Classic subnotebooks were smaller than full-sized laptops but larger thanhandheld 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 omittingports, and these were typically the first machines to omitoptical disc drives or on some of the earliest models,floppy disk drives.
They were also some of the first systems which could be paired withdocking stations to compensate. One notable form-factor of subnotebook-oriented docks were "slice docks" — a more transportable version of the classic docking station.[2][3]
| 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)/ | |
| 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 |
TheEpson 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 anA4-sized notebook, small enough to fit inside a briefcase.[8][9] The similarly designedTRS-80 Model 100 from 1983 was the first commercially successful notebook and is credited with spawning an industry of smaller portable computers.[10][11] 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 theTandy 200 was a clam-shell design and smaller than contemporary laptops.
TheNEC UltraLite, launched in 1988, was the first clamshell "notebook computer"compatible with theIBM PC, a platform whose market sharedominated 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 stackedUS Letter (similar toA4) size paper notebooks.[11] 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, theCompaq LTE, was released in 1989 to critical acclaim and high sales.[12][13] The success of the LTE convincedIBM andApple to release their own slimmer laptops, starting with thePS/2 Model L40 SX and thePowerBook 100, respectively.[14]: 59 [15]: 75 IBM replaced the L40 SX with thePS/2 note in early 1992 and theThinkPad line in late 1992.[15]
There were also a few notable smaller-than subnotebook PCs at this time, including theAtari Portfolio andHP 95LX[16] — both very smallMS-DOS machines, roughly comparable in size to later handheld PCs.
At the end of 1992,PCMag magazine[17] described two models as subnotebooks: these were theGateway HandBook theDell 320SLi[18][19] (both less than a 1.6 kg weight), and another was released in Italy: theOlivetti Quaderno.[20]
Apple and Compaq did not label their machines as "subnotebooks" in this period, but thePowerBook Duo andCompaq LTE Lite otherwise qualify, and both lines were among the first to broadly popularizedocking stations.
Another early model was theHewlett-PackardOmniBook 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.[21]
Toshiba, also entered the market that year with thePortege T3400 and T3400CT, claiming that "It's the first subnotebook computer with all the functionality of a much larger computer";[22] the T3400CT was the first subnotebook with a color screen. in 1995, Tosbiba introduced theLibretto 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".[23]
Compaq introduced its own short lived subnotebook line in 1994 calledContura Aero, notable for using a battery which was intended to be standard rather than only useful for Compaq products.[24]
IBM released a Palm Top PC (handheld laptop with 4.7" screen) in 1995.[25]
IBM had sold "thin and light" models in its ThinkPad range, such as the ThinkPad 560 ultraportable (1996) and best-sellingThinkPad 600 (1998). It finally entered the subnotebook market in 1999 with the 1.3 kgThinkPad 240, targeted at business travellers.[26] The 240 and 240X had 10.4″ screens. Later, however, IBM replaced these with the X range, with 12.1″ screens.[27]
In 1997Mitsubishi Electric released ultra-compact 12.1" Mitsubishi Pedion laptop line with ultrathin magnesium case (18 × 218 × 297 mm) and chiclet keyboard.[28] 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 theVAIO 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.[29] However, it was very expensive and had poor battery life, and was soon withdrawn.
Apple replaced the agingPowerBook Duo line with relatively light-weight (4.4 lb (2.0 kg)) but short-livedPowerBook 2400c; this was co-designed by IBM, and manufactured for Apple by IBM Japan. In 2000 Compaq released a more compact successor ofDigital 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.[30]
This period was notable for a major split between lower-power-consumption and higher power x86 processors in laptops; although Intel released thePentium 4 mobile chips, the mobilePentium III remained available because of high power consumption on the Pentium 4 leading to high heat and short battery life. This was followed by thePentium M, which was a dedicated line of mobile processors with no desktop equivalent. This era also featured processors fromTransmeta, 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.[31]
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.[32]
In 2006,Microsoft introduced a newultra-mobile PC format, under the code-name Origami. These were smaller versions ofTablet PC computers; One example was theSamsung Q1.[33]
Since 2007, the laptop computer market has seen an increased segmentation of microprocessor lines to different purposes and power levels, including the introduction of theIntel Atom, ultra-low-voltage processors which has since having become mainstream, and the use ofARM 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. AtComputex 2011Intel announced a new system branding calledUltrabooks; 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 theASUS Eee PC became the first of a new class of low-cost laptops commonly callednetbooks. Netbooks are typically based upon theAtom processors, while other subnotebooks use more powerful processors such asULV types.
In 2008, Apple introduced theMacBook Air, which the company claimed was the world's thinnest notebook. This model was notable for offering no built-in optical drive.[35][36]
In the same year, Lenovo released its last widely known hi-end 12" subnotebook line without a touchpad, the ThinkPad X200, X200s and X200 Tablet models.[37]
In 2010 saw a number of semi-rugged low-end subnotebooks for the education market, including the Dell Latitude 2100, Lenovo ThinkPad x100e, and HPProBook Education Edition; these notably hadlaptop charging trolley support.
In 2011, the firstChromebooks were introduced by Google, and Intel's introduced theUltrabook 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)[39] to Microsoft Surface Laptop Go (12-inch display),[40] and the term is still sometimes used informally although is no longer used by manufacturers.
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