The 
increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets has prompted doomsayers to (once again) begin the deathwatch for laptops and desktops.
The consumer technology market has come a long way since August 1977, when RadioShack introduced the TRS 80, the market’s first complete, preassembled small-computer system. The Level I basic came with 4K of RAM, a monitor, a cassette, and all needed cables and adaptors. It sold for $599.95.
Chris Morris: Journalist 