Initially conceived of as a niche device for specialist use in industries such as the military, laptops are now a cornerstone of business, student and home computing life.

A laptop is, of course, a self-contained computer, featuring a flip-top screen. They're small enough to carry around and - as the name implies - operate while sitting on your lap. The truth is that hardly any of us actually use laptops on our laps - they work well on a desk too! The benefit is that they're portable, self contained and battery powered.

Commonplace laptops

As computer prices fall, the spread of laptops increase. Only a decade ago, laptops were still unusual in university lecture theatres and on desks in office workplaces. By 2009, however, annual sales of laptops caught up with, and then eclipsed, the sale of desktop computers worldwide.

Business laptop use - liberation!

It's not unusual in modern business to see employees carrying laptops and setting up where it makes the best sense: in a project team, next to collaborators, outside under a tree or in the local cafe. Using wi-fi connections, workers can now 'hot desk' with ease, and always have the main tool of their trade - a computer - with them.

These laptops, operating as desktop replacement machines, have transformed some workplaces from old-fashioned Dilbert-style cubicle farms into vibrant, energetic workplaces where idea sharing and collaboration are more possible than ever.

The rise in casual and freelance work, and the ability of people to work from home or while away on business trips has also added to the rise in popularity of laptop computers. With wi-fi hotspots popping up everywhere, many information workers can do their jobs anywhere. The laptop has liberated many people from being tethered to their workstations.

Home laptops - convenient and fun

But it's not just workers who have embraced the convenience of laptop computers. Many homes now have laptops, sometimes in addition to a traditional desktop machine. A kitchen laptop, an older model for kids to play on, a computer that controls a home sound system (and even the TV); all of these things are possible with falling prices, increased memory and speed, and the spread of wireless home networks.

Laptop technology has changed as computers have become smaller and more powerful. According to Wikipedia, the IBM 5100 became the first commercially available portable computer, appearing in September 1975. With a 5 inch (13cm) screen, tape drive and 64kb RAM, it weighed 24kg and was the size of a small suitcase.

By comparison, the popular HP Pavilion dv5t laptop has over 65,000 times more memory (4gb), a screen 3 times bigger, an a weight of just over 4 kilos; that's less than 20% of its 1970s ancestor's weight.

All major computer companies make laptop models, with the most popular manufacturers being Acer, HP, Apple, Toshiba, Sony, Dell, Compaq, IBM, Gateway and Lenovo.

The right machine for you

Choosing the best laptop computer depends on what you want from it. Do you need a light, portable, slimline machine that runs basic business applications? This usually means you're running a bigger, more powerful computer for day-to-day use, and this second laptop for client visits and overseas trips. A notebook or cheaper laptop might be the answer for you. Try the basic model Panasonic Toughbook laptops, the HP Mini laptop range, the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 laptop or the Fujitsu LifeBook range for light and easy computing at under $500.

For top-flight laptop users, who need to run memory-sucking games or movie or graphics applications, one popular options is the top-flight Panasonic Toughbook that features touchscreen tablet monitors, and specs that would make most desktop systems cower in fear. The $8000+ price tag is also a bit fearsome!

Taking a step down, there are great, powerful laptop models priced anywhere from $700 to $7000 such as the Apple MacBook and various models from all the major manufacturers. Are you looking for speed, storage, graphics, networking or a combination of all of these? Do you want to look cool while you're working, or do you need a laptop that will handle a drop from a truck on a building site?

There's something for everyone.