laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use (mobile computing) and small and light enough to sit on a persons lap while in use. A laptop integrates most of the typical components (Computer hardware) of a desktop computer, including a display (Computer display), a keyboard (computer keyboard), a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a trackpad, and/or a pointing stick), speakers, and often including a battery, into a single small and light unit. The rechargeable battery (if present) is charged from an AC adapter (electronic power supply) and typically stores enough energy to run the laptop for two to three hours in its initial state, depending on the configuration and power management of the computer.

Laptops are usually shaped like a large notebook with thicknesses between convert0.7-1.5in and dimensions ranging from 10x8 inches (27x22cm, 13" display) to 15x11 inches (39x28cm, 17" display) and up. Modern laptops weigh convert3to12lb; older laptops were usually heavier. Most laptops are designed in the flip form factor (Flip (form)) to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed. Modern tablet laptops have a complex joint between the keyboard housing and the display, permitting the display panel to swivel and then lie flat on the keyboard housing. They usually have a touchscreen display and some include handwriting recognition or graphics drawing capability.

Laptops were originally considered to be "a small niche market" and were thought suitable mostly for "specialized field applications" such as "the military, the Internal Revenue Service, accountants and sales representatives". But today, there are already more laptops than desktops in businesses, and laptops are becoming obligatory for student use and more popular for general use. In 2008 more laptops than desktops were sold in the US and it has been predicted Whodate=November 2009 that the same milestone will be reached in the worldwide market as soon as late 2009Citation neededdate=November 2009.