Mobile workstation
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A mobile workstation, also known as a desktop replacement computer (DTR) or workstation laptop, is a
Origins
The forerunners of the mobile workstation were the
The development of the laptop form factor gave new impetus to portable computer development. Many early laptops were feature-limited in the interest of portability, requiring such mobility-limiting accessories as external floppy drives or clip-on trackball pointing devices. One of the first laptops that could be used as a standalone computer was the EUROCOM 2100 based on Intel's 8088 CPU architecture, it duplicated the functionality of the desktop models without requiring an external docking station.
The development of the modern mobile workstation came with the realization that many laptops were used in a semi-permanent location, often remaining connected to an external power source at all times. This suggested that a market existed for a laptop-style computer that would take advantage of the user's reduced need for portability, allowing for higher-performance components, greater expandability, and higher-quality displays. Mobile workstations are also often used with a
Design features
Modern mobile workstations generally perform better than traditional laptop-style computers as their size allows the inclusion of more powerful components. The larger body means more efficient heat-dissipation, allowing manufacturers to use components that would otherwise overheat during normal use. Furthermore, their increased size allows for more
Using a laptop form factor, however, mobile workstations still often suffer from limitations similar to those of more mobile laptops. They usually lack the ability to accept standard PCIe expansion cards, somewhat limiting their expandability. While mobile workstations can offer better cooling than other laptops, they rarely dissipate heat efficiently enough to allow for high-end desktop-class components, and thus may not reach the same performance levels as desktop computers.
Mobile workstations computers are, with a few exceptions, difficult to upgrade compared to desktop computers, with many of their major components (such as the display) integral to the design of the machine, and others (such as the
See also
- Clevo x7200
- Overclocking
- SLI
- Enthusiast computing
- Gaming laptop
References
- ^ Desktop notebooks stake their claim Archived 2012-12-09 at archive.today, accessed April 2010
- ^ "Clevo D900F 17-inch Core i7 monster notebook". SlashGear. 2009-03-03. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ Waldock, Leo. "Intel's new 9th Generation mobile 'musclebook' CPUs have been launched". www.redsharknews.com. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ Osborne 1 - The First Portable Computer from 1981, accessed April 2010
- ^ Compaq Portable, the Company's First Product in 1982, accessed April 2010
- ^ Commodore SX-64 portable computer, accessed April 2010
- ^ Upgrading and Repairing Laptops, accessed April 2010