Mind

This week we recalled The Laptop @ 30

The video cassette recorder or the VCR officially died after a successful run of 60 years—it is now instructive to take another look at the laptop. Thirty years ago, in December 1985, the ‘executive computer’ was brand new, and The New York Times was dismissive. Eric Sandberg-Diment wrote, “people don’t want to lug a computer with them to the beach or on a train to while away hours they would rather spend reading the sports or business section of the newspaper.” Dismissing experts who felt lower cost would help, he insisted the laptop will remain in the specialised niche markets only. ­Wonder what’s going to die next?