Believe it or not, computers have roots way back in the 1800s. These early mechanical counting machines were mostly used to solve math problems, so they definitely didn’t work like the computers we have today, but they were an early example of humans using machines to “think” and solve problems.
Eventually, in the late 1960s, scientists and engineers were getting better at making computers that could do more than solve math problems. In fact, one engineer named Douglas Engelbart debuted a computer that let people interact with images on a screen in 1968.
Finally, in 1975, the first commercially available portable computer was released by IBM. Known as the IBM 5100, this device would be part of the personal computer revolution. By the early ‘90s, Apple released its own laptop: the PowerBook 100. The device was a huge success, earning Apple $1 billion in revenue in a single year.
Now laptops are everywhere. Although they’re still a pretty expensive product (with average prices around $600), modern laptops are cheaper compared to models like the PowerBook 100 (which cost a steep $2,300). But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some insanely expensive laptops out there. In fact, some models can cost millions.
Price: At least $1,000
Interesting Feature: Signed by Steve Jobs
Release Year: 1995
Reason for Price: Signed by the founder of Apple
photo source: cultofmac.com
Like many of Apple’s early inventions, the Apple PowerBook is considered a groundbreaking device that brought laptops into the mainstream. This wasn’t Apple’s first portable computer, but it was one of the company’s first major breakthroughs in terms of sales. Apple was reporting more than 100,000 Apple PowerBook sales just a few months after the product line’s initial release — a trend that would generate $1 billion in revenue.
Since it turned out to be such a successful product, Apple made a lot of PowerBooks. As a result, it’s not that hard to find an old one for sale. What is hard, though, is finding one that’s been signed by Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple.
This rare Apple PowerBook features Jobs’ signature alongside a note reading “happy computing.” The message is dedicated to someone named Doc, who reportedly worked at the animation company Pixar.
Did you know?
This rare laptop went up for auction in 2020. It had a starting bid of just $1,000, but it likely sold for much more. However, it’s unclear exactly how much the rare collectible earned.
Price: $19,800
Interesting Feature: A white gold frame
Release Year: 2008
Reason for Price: Novelty (only 250 will be sold)
photo source: gadgetreview.com
The Bentley Ego doesn’t have much in common with the Apple PowerBook.
While Apple’s line of early laptops was successful and popular, the Bentley Ego was essentially a silly marketing tactic. With a price tag of nearly $20,000, these devices featured details like leather and a white gold frame. While the device did have everything it needed to function like a laptop, it’s clear that Bentley was more interested in making a status symbol than a piece of useful tech.
As one reviewer put it, “The best laptops are all cheaper than this one.”
Did you know?
In case you were wondering: yes, this laptop was made by the same Bentley that makes expensive cars.
Price: $30,000
Interesting Feature: Hand-engraved gold
Release Year: 2013
Reason for Price: Novelty, expensive materials
photo source: dailymail.co.uk
Although Apple was making laptops back in the ‘90s, the company didn’t debut its iconic MacBook until 2006. This new line of portable computers replaced PowerBooks and the iBook (another early Apple laptop).
Alongside more standard MacBook models, Apple started selling the MacBook Pro. Apple still makes this more advanced version of the MacBook, with upgraded models coming out pretty regularly.
MacBook Pros are expensive enough on their own, but this 24-carat gold version pushes the price way up. The modified device comes from Computer Choppers and features a steep price tag of $30,000. According to the company, the device includes hand-engraved gold details and a diamond-studded Apple logo.
Did you know?
If standard gold isn’t your thing, Computer Choppers offers MacBooks in honey gold, rose copper, silver, and other luxury finishes.
Price: $39,750
Interesting Feature: 12,000 Swarovski crystals
Release Year: 2008
Reason for Price: Novelty, expensive materials
photo source: kingraah.blogspot.com
If that last MacBook just isn’t luxurious enough, check out this option from Bling My Thing. The absurdly expensive product features a MacBook covered in 12,000 Swarovski crystals set in 24-carat gold. The design, titled Golden Age, was only replicated 20 times. One of the 20 laptops was put up for sale at Selfridges, a high-end department store in the U.K.
So how much does this thing cost? The price comes in at a cool $39,750.
Did you know?
Although some people might love this blinged-out Mac, others aren’t so interested. An article on a tech website called it “offensive” before going on to say “only a triggered gag reflex can properly describe” the author’s reaction.
Price: $350,000
Interesting Feature: 470 diamonds
Release Year: 2006
Reason for Price: Novelty, expensive materials
photo source: cnet.com
Limited-edition products are usually more expensive than standard releases, but they don’t typically get this expensive. The Rodrigo Otazu laptop is a limited-release device featuring 470 diamonds, optional platinum details, and a 12.1-inch screen. All that can be yours for $350,000.
Yes, really.
This bizarrely expensive product came out in 2006. The design was initially introduced at Milan Fashion Week in the spring of that year, but it didn’t hit store shelves until November.
Rodrigo Otazu, the product’s designer, wasn’t new to high-end designs when he made these laptops. In fact, Rodrigo’s jewelry designs have been worn by Lady Gaga, one of the richest celebrities in the world.
Did you know?
If you use CDs, these ultra-expensive laptops might have a one-up on more practical devices like the MacBook Pro. Otazu laptops were made in the early 2000s, a time when CDs were much more common, so they feature CD drives (unlike the modern MacBook Pro).
Price: $1 million
Interesting Feature: Built-in screen cleaning device
Release Year: 2009
Reason for Price: Made with rare and expensive diamonds
photo source: alphr.com
If you hate cleaning laptop screens and you’ve got a million dollars laying around, you might want to check out this computer from Luvaglio. The $1 million device features a built-in screen cleaning system, 128 GB of storage space, and a 17-inch display.
The laptop was created by Luvaglio, a brand known for making overly expensive products. The brand seems to have outdone itself with this launch, though. The laptop even features a rare, colorful diamond set in the power button.
Did you know?
Although this definitely ranks among the most expensive laptops, there seems to be some controversy surrounding the legitimacy of Luvaglio’s design. One report claims the company had no experience designing PCs prior to this laptop’s debut. Another said the company was established just before announcing their expensive product, only adding to the suspicion.
Price: $1.3 million
Interesting Feature: Infected with six computer viruses
Release Year: 2019
Reason for Price: Novelty (infected with dangerous viruses)
photo source: smithsonianmag.com
If we’re talking about laptops, we have to talk about viruses. Computer viruses are programs that “infect” laptops, typically with the goal of accessing private information and disrupting the system.
To help spread awareness about the dangers of computer viruses, a cybersecurity firm asked an artist named Guo O Dong to create this laptop. The device, a Samsung Notebook, has been infected with six of the world’s most dangerous computer viruses: WannaCry, BlackEnergy, ILOVEYOU, MyDoom, SoBig, and DarkTequila.
The final piece is titled The Persistence of Chaos. In a statement, the artist said, “We have this fantasy that things that happen in computers can’t actually affect us, but this is absurd. Weaponized viruses…can cause direct harm.”
Did you know?
When this art went up for auction, bidders had to promise that they had “no intention of disseminating any malware.”
Price: $3.5 million
Interesting Feature: Gold-encrusted casing
Release Year: 2010
Reason for Price: Novelty, expensive materials
photo source: notebook777.com
The MJ 777 Edition is the most expensive laptop.
With a price tag of $3.5 million, this is by far the most expensive laptop in the world. The absurdly expensive device features gold-encrusted casing, diamonds, Swarovski crystals, and optional additions like snakeskin or crocodile leather.
If all that isn’t enough to get you interested, the laptop also comes with a solid gold mouse. So maybe it is worth the money…?
Did you know?
This product has two warranties. First, the laptop itself includes a 10-year guarantee so you can avoid any technical problems. Second, all those precious metals and stones are protected by a lifetime jewelry warranty.
FAQs
What is the rarest laptop in the world? ›
1. MJ's Swarovski and Diamond Studded Notebook ($3,500,000) MJ's Swarovski and Diamond Studded Notebook is the most expensive laptop in MJ's 777 range and the most expensive laptop ever sold.
Which is the most expensive laptop ever? ›...
Most expensive laptop in India to buy in 2023.
| S.No | Product Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | HP Omen 16-B1350TX | ₹1,13,999 |
| 2. | ASUS ROG Strix G17 | ₹87,480 |
| 3. | Acer Predator Helios 300 | ₹1,97,385 |
| 4. | Dell New Alienware x15 R2 | ₹3,56,600 |
That means it's important to know how long laptops last, so you can make decisions about price versus longevity. Experts estimate you should get at least four years from a laptop purchase, though 10 to 12 years is the upper limit for any portable.
What is the most expensive laptop in the world gaming? ›- Acer Predator Helios 500 Gaming Laptop (11Th Gen Intel Core I9/17.3 Inches 4K Uhd Display/64Gb Ddr4 Ram/2Tb Ssd/1Tb HDD/RTX 3080 Graphics/Windows 10 Home/Per Key RGB Backlit Keyboard) Ph517-52. ...
- MSI Raider GE78HX, Intel 13th Gen.
Bill Gates Signed 'Ultimate Offer' Asus W5Fe Laptop.
Who is the most powerful laptop? ›The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is one of the most powerful gaming laptops right now, showing off the latest flagship CPU from Intel (13th Gen Core i9) and GPU from Nvidia (GeForce RTX 4090). It's big and expensive, but the body feels reasonable for everything it's packing.
What laptop to buy $1,500 dollars? ›| Category | Product | Display size |
|---|---|---|
| Best budget laptop under $1500 | Apple MacBook Air | 13-inches |
| Best overall budget laptop under $1000 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | 12.4-inches |
| Best budget gaming laptop | Dell G15 (2022) | 15.6-inches |
| Best budget laptop under $500 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 3i | 14-inches |
The correct answer is Supercomputer.
Is $1000 too much for a laptop? ›If you're shopping for a laptop, a $1,000 budget can get you a lot, as many premium laptops start around that price range. You can get an exceptionally well-built laptop with a metal chassis, like an Apple MacBook Air, a 2-in-1 convertible, or even a gaming laptop with a powerful CPU and GPU.
Can a laptop last 50 years? ›The same concerns apply to laptops. Most experts estimate a laptop's lifespan to be three to five years. It may survive longer than that, but its utility will be limited as the components become less capable of running advanced applications.
Can a laptop last 40 years? ›
The average lifespan of a laptop
There are plenty of variables, but you can expect a well-maintained laptop to last for three to five years. The laptop lifespan is shorter than a desktop PC due to its compact stature.
It's totally safe & no side effects. You can let a powered off laptop connected to socket all the time without even battery. Mine is also connected to socket 24/7 although it has battery but it always stays full, no difference when it comes to doing the same without battery.
Which is the most powerful expensive computer in the world? ›The Japanese supercomputer, Fugaku, is the world's most powerful.
How much RAM do I need for gaming? ›16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.
How much is the cheapest laptop in the world? ›A company is now selling what it calls the "world's cheapest laptop," which, at $130, is not a bad deal if you can bear some hardware limitations. The Impulse NPX-9000 laptop has a 7-in. screen and comes with the Linux operating system.
What is Elon Musk's laptop? ›Eric Frohnhoefer, a California software engineer fired in November after confronting Musk via tweet, says he has not heard a peep about returning his company-issued Apple MacBook Pro M1 Pro laptop from 2021 (8/10 WIRED Recommends). “It's still sitting in a closet,” he says.
Which laptop billionaires use? ›When it comes to the digital loyalties among billionaires, many, it seems, skew Mac. In an informal survey of Forbes list of the World's Billionaires, many side with Steve Jobs and Co., citing reasons such as the sleek design and ease-of-use of Apple's products.
Should you tape your laptop camera? ›Does Covering Your Computer's Camera Really Keep You Safe? Many security experts recommend camera covers as a first step to promote your cybersecurity. Because protection is as simple as placing a Post-It note or electrical tape over your camera, taking the extra precaution is a no brainer.
Which laptop is No 1 in world? ›Our current pick for the best laptop of 2023 is the MacBook Air. It's a device that does just about everything right. While it's certainly not perfect, there are no major flaws. It's a great pick for productivity, browsing, and even light gaming.
Which is No 1 laptop? ›| Laptop | Price |
|---|---|
| Apple MacBook Air | Rs 99,900 |
| HP 15s | Rs 38,500 |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3511 | Rs 46,500 |
| ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 OLED | Rs 59,990 |
What is worth money in an old laptop? ›
If your laptop is built by yourself, you should determine its price in terms of its hardware like CPU, GPU, hard drive, RAM, etc. But the mentioned four factors are most important. In general, older laptops with i3 processors, 2GB RAM and 128-256GB storage capacities are generally worth $20 to $100.
What laptop can I get for 50k? ›| Laptop under 50000 | Key Highlights | RAM |
|---|---|---|
| HP Chromebook 14a Thin & Light Touchscreen Laptop | Compact touchscreen laptop | 4GB RAM |
| Dell Inspiron 3502 HD Display Laptop | 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD | 4GB RAM |
| ASUS VivoBook 14 Full HD Laptop | Screen size of 14 inches | 4GB RAM |
| Laptop | Price |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 15 Laptop (11th Gen Core i5/ 8GB/ 512GB SSD/ Win11) | ₹37,990 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 82K2022TIN Gaming Laptop (Ryzen 5 5600H/ 8GB/ 512GB SSD/ Win11 Home/ 4GB Graph) | ₹51,990 |
| Dell Inspiron 3520 Laptop (12th Gen Core i5/ 8GB/ 1TB 256GB SSD/ Win11) | ₹57,490 |
- Mar 19, 2023. These are the most expensive things in the world. ...
- International Space Station. The amount that has gone towards ISS existence in terms of building and designing is $150 billion. ...
- History Supreme Yacht. ...
- Hubble Space Telescope. ...
- The Antilia Mansion. ...
- Crown Jewel. ...
- The Dream Jet. ...
- Villa Leopolda.
- The supercomputer, Frontier, at the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility in Tennessee, US, is the first in the world capable of an exaflop – a billion billion operations a second. ...
- The team will use Frontier for two projects.
An affordable gaming laptop that costs around $2,000 should last you 2-3 years. If you spend double the amount, you're looking at double the lifespan of about 4-5 years or so. But generally, pricing isn't what determines the lifespan of your gaming laptop.
How long should a 2000 dollar laptop last? ›Here is a general breakdown of how long a laptop will be relevant based on the price you pay for it: Less than $700: 2-4 years. $700-$1,000: 3-5 years. $1,000 or more: 4-7 years.
How long does a $600 laptop last? ›If the laptop is less than $600 or 700, it can be used for 2-4 years. If you pay $700 to $1000, the average lifespan is 3-5 years. Laptops that cost more than $1000 can last 4-7 years.
Should you keep a laptop plugged in? ›Keeping a laptop battery at a partially charged level for as much of its lifespan as possible will help the battery last longer. Whether your laptop is plugged in or using battery power can also impact the environment. This largely depends on the time of day when your laptop is plugged into an outlet.
Are old laptops slower? ›Computers slow down as they age due to memory, hardware, and software failure. The average lifespan of a modern computer is four years. Most become slow due to normal wear and tear and increased performance requirements from the latest operating systems, software, and games.
What shortens the lifespan of a laptop? ›
Dust, dirt, and food crumbs, especially those gathered on the keyboards, when leftover time, can penetrate and suffocate the laptop's hardware. This would lead to the laptop generating more heat, stress the components and lead to a reduced lifespan.
Should I shut my computer down at night? ›Power surges or power drops occurring when a machine is powered by its power adapter are more harmful to a sleeping computer than to one completely shut down. The heat produced by a sleeping machine exposes all components to higher heat more of the time. Computers left on all the time may have a shorter life.
Why is my laptop so slow? ›If you notice your computer starting to slow down, it's likely because you have too many programs running at once. Powering several programs at once takes a lot of processing power, impacting performance and speed.
How do I revive my old laptop? ›- Check for hardware defects. In Windows, use Hard Disk Sentinel and Pure Battery Analytics. ...
- Free up at least 20GB of hard drive space. ...
- Remove apps and disable auto start. ...
- Streamline your browser. ...
- Refresh your operating system. ...
- Consider a hard drive upgrade.
What happens is the battery voltage goes below the amount needed to power the device on its own and applying the power charging source is barely putting it past that threshold for it to work as it's plugged in but not unplugged. Battery is not the original and was replaced with a “cheap” replacement.
Can my laptop run all night? ›Modern operating systems include power management settings to conserve power when your laptop stays on overnight. If your laptop is working properly, leaving it on for extended periods is no worse than turning it off when not in use.
Is it bad to leave your laptop on sleep? ›Its perfectly safe to keep your laptop in sleep mode. In reality, you can keep your computer in an on, off, or suspend mode indefinitely, with no adverse effects. There are computers that never get turned off or rebooted.
What is the most expensive computer 1000000? ›What is the world's most expensive personal computer? The groundbreaking Apple-1, which fetched nearly a million dollars at the first History of Science auction at Bonhams New York this week.
What is the smartest computer? ›The 60th TOP500 was published in November 2022. Since June 2022, USA's Frontier is the most powerful supercomputer on TOP500, reaching 1102 petaFlops (1.102 exaFlops) on the LINPACK benchmarks.
Which is the fastest computer? ›Supercomputer Fugaku, housed at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan, scored 442.01PFLOP/s in the HPL test. It is built on the Fujitsu A64FX microprocessor and has 7,630,848 cores.
Is 128 GB RAM overkill? ›
The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload. Unless you're editing 8K resolution videos or planning to work with multiple RAM-demanding programs simultaneously, 128 GB is overkill for most users as well.
How many GB of RAM is overkill? ›32GB of RAM is considered high and is generally overkill for most users. For most everyday use and basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 8GB of RAM is more than enough. Even for gaming or video editing, 16GB is typically sufficient.
Is 16GB RAM overkill for gaming? ›16GB. 16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for playing most games and will provide a noticeable increase in performance from 8GB. You will also be able to run applications in the background without affecting gameplay.
What is S mode? ›Windows 10 in S mode is a version of Windows 10 that's streamlined for security and performance, while providing a familiar Windows experience. To increase security, it allows only apps from Microsoft Store, and requires Microsoft Edge for safe browsing.
What is best fast cheap laptop? ›- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2: Best cheap laptop overall. ...
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet: Best cheap 2-in-1 laptop. ...
- HP Chromebook X2 11: Best cheap detachable. ...
- Asus Chromebook Flip CX5: Best cheap 15.6in Chromebook. ...
- HP Pavilion 14: A premium notebook at a budget price.
1981. Developed by Adam Osborne in April 1981, the Osborne I was the first truly portable computer and is recognized as the first true laptop computer. It weighed 24½-pounds and had a 5" display. Epson released the Epson HX-20 in 1981.
What is the most famous laptop in the world? ›1. Apple – Top 10 Laptop Brands. Apple is definitely one of the luxury brands when it comes to Laptops, Smartphones, Computers and Tablets. Apple tops the segments like customer support, build quality, user friendly, design, power and display.
Do 19 laptops exist? ›Best Buy customers often prefer the following products when searching for 19 inch laptops. Browse the top-ranked list of 19 inch laptops below along with associated reviews and opinions.
Which brand laptop is best? ›- Apple. Apple is among the most trusted brands in the world. ...
- Asus. Asus' laptop range offer value for your money. ...
- HP. Be it for personal use or office-related work, HP laptops are for you. ...
- Dell. You may have used Dell at your workplace or for personal work. ...
- Lenovo. ...
- Acer.
| Product | Build Quality | Portability |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 (2021) | 7.5 | 6.7 |
| Dell XPS 13 (2021) | 8.5 | 9.1 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i (2021) | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Dell G15 (2022) | 6.5 | 5.4 |
What is the 2nd best laptop? ›
- #1 MacBook Pro (2021)
- #2 MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020)
- #3 Google Pixelbook Go.
- #4 MacBook Air M1 (2020)
- #5 Dell XPS 17.
- #5 Acer Nitro 5.
- #5 Dell XPS 13.
- #8 Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
Most experts estimate a laptop's lifespan to be three to five years. It may survive longer than that, but its utility will be limited as the components become less capable of running advanced applications.
Did laptops exist in 2000? ›Kaypro 2000
With its brushed aluminum clamshell case, it was remarkably similar in design to modern laptops. It featured a 25 line by 80 character LCD, a detachable keyboard, and a pop-up 90 mm (3.5-inch) floppy drive.
The first laptop computer available to the public was the Osborne 1. The Osborne Computer Corporation released this model in 1981. It cost $1795 at the time of release.
Who uses laptops the most? ›Desktop and laptop computers
Millennials are the only generation that is more likely to own a laptop or netbook (70%) than a desktop computer (57%). While 69% of adults in Generation X own a desktop, a close 61% own a laptop.
We asked U.S. consumers about "Laptop ownership by brand" and found that "HP" takes the top spot, while "Vaio" is at the other end of the ranking. These results are based on a representative online survey conducted in 2022 among 6,840 consumers in the United States.
What makes a laptop fast? ›RAM, the computer's memory, and the processor both affect how fast your laptop runs. The higher the number for each, the faster the speed. For instance, 4GB of RAM run faster than 2GB. The processor speed is measured in gigahertz, and a 2 GHz machine runs faster than a 1 GHz.
What is the biggest size laptop? ›What is the biggest laptop size to buy? The largest laptop is 17.3 inches on our list.
What happened to the $100 laptop? ›After announcing “the $100 Laptop,” OLPC had one job to do: make a laptop that cost $100. As the team developed the XO-1, they slowly realized that this wasn't going to happen. According to Bender, OLPC pushed the laptop's cost to a low of $130, but only by cutting so many corners that the laptop barely worked.
How long do 1000 dollar laptops last? ›So, essentially, the more you spend on a laptop, the longer you should expect it to last. Here is a general breakdown of how long a laptop will be relevant based on the price you pay for it: Less than $700: 2-4 years. $700-$1,000: 3-5 years.