DYNABOOK-The laptop concept predicted by ALAN KAY in the early 70s & my thoughts on the PATENT

It was around 1972 that American Computer Scientist ALAN KAY revealed to the world his concept for what would become the Modern Day LAPTOP we use today.

This was referred to as the KiddiComp concept, 

Better known to us as the DYNABOOK concept.

This was what he referred to as...

"THE PERSONAL COMPUTER FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES."

It wasn't really a patent for a computer but rather an outline of requirements for a conceptual portable computer that can be used.

All of this was to embody the learning theories of JEROME BRUNER and some of the teachings made by the late SEYMOUR PAPERT who in turn studied under development psychologist JEAN PIAGET who was one of the inventors of the LOGO Programming Language.

The idea was to create an ecosystem of portable computers using things like the aforementioned studies and Programming Languages and a few sprinkles of the SMALLTALK language to make it happen.

This Computer can be used by adults but the primary target was children. 

So in other words: ALAN KAY invented the LAPTOP!!!

Sort of like the one you're probably using to view this particular blogpost,

Or more like the DELL INSPIRON RYZEN 7 LAPTOP that I'm using to create these blogposts since I bought it in JULY 14 2025 to replace my aging MSI GP62M 7RDX Leopard.

So even though what ALAN KAY was trying to present to the world wasn't really a patent, there does exist this AUGUST 31 1972 Concept drawing of the computer.

Let me just say, I'm glad the drawing and the prototype held by ALAN KAY was not a patent because who thinks this can pass off as a Laptop?

Honestly for 1972, ALAN KAY was way too ahead of his time.

The DYNABOOK Concept predated the 1973 XEROX ALTO by a year 

The First Computer to use a GUI.

Another thing is that the term PERSONAL COMPUTER did exist prior to 1977 but back then, computers were split between 

OVERTLY EXPENSIVE

IBM 5100(1975)

PROOF OF CONCEPTS

DATAPOINT 2200(1970)

or MEANT FOR THE HOBBYISTS.

MITS ALTAIR 8800

IMSAI 8080

It wasn't until 1977 that these three computers showed up:

(Left)Commodore PET, (Middle)Apple II, (Right)TRS-80 Model 1

And suddenly, the age of affordable computers was made possible.

However, they were all of the DESKTOP Formfactor which meant even if it was keyboard integrated or all-in-one, they all required power from the wall to operate.

In the 1980s, Portable Computers started to show up but their designs ranged from 

PORTABLE BUT LIMITED

EPSON HX20(1982)

To Powerful but weighed like a SINGER SEWING MACHINE

OSBORNE 1(Original 1981 Revision)

COMPAQ PORTABLE (1983)

The very first computer to take the recognizable form of a laptop didn't appear until the early 1980s.

If you think it was the GRID COMPASS series of laptops?

Yeah Yeah.. That was a good guess.

But that was the recognizable form factor we are using now.

The very first laptop to use the Clamp shell design logic was this:

Say HELLO to the DULMONT MAGNUM!

This Australian-Built COMPUTER was the first to use the CLAMP SHELL for computer designs but it's also the very first to be BATTERY POWERED.

But it struggled to make a dent in both it's native AUSTRALIA & INTERNATIONALLY.

And when Companies like GRID, HP, SHARP, etc

Started to make their own laptops in this same form factor, it was all over for DULMONT.

But in my mind, this was a ballsy, even for DULLMONT as that Narrow LCD Screen on these early computers was a real hinderance.

Look, I know these DOS-Compatible early laptops were meant for BUSINESS and not GAMES but even I would not be caught dead using such a NARROW LCD for even serious business work.

So in practice, YES, ALAN KAY was way ahead of his time because not only did he have to take into account the many times the laptop had to evolve but you also have to remember that 

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY or RAM was extremely expensive in both the 70s and 80s.

And given how early the history of Portable Computers were, The design of the DYNABOOK was way too far ahead.

I've read that the DYNABOOK concept is meant to predict tablets that we use today

So yeah. Way off.

In fact, now to think of it, the Form Factor of the DYNABOOK seems to remind me of that BAPACO LAPTOP I covered on this BLOG back in SPRING 2025.

Except, the DYNABOOK Concept had a more 4:3 aspect ratio and the entire thing was built as a slate.

While the BAPACO above is more of an ULTRAWIDE Display who’s display can swivel up or down to suit your viewing angle.

While the tech is obviously here today that would make a DYNABOOK,

ALAN KAY even in the 2020s thinks that the concept still doesn't exist because to him, key software and educational curricula are still missing.

.......

Ok I'm gonna have to speak up and bring my own opinion on this matter.

For starters, 

We have many pieces of Software that would benefit the Educational Market.

And many of them are not even software but websites.

And I'm sure that at the time he made his concept, ALAN KAY was at one point targeting UNIX as the operating environment which today is LINUX.

But that's just my thought.

And unfortunately, one thing that ALAN KAY didn't predict is that 2020s Children, particularly the very young ones before they hit puberty are less likely to play on COMPUTERS or even use a Laptop or Desktop until their Middle School years.

And they mostly play their games or browse on their IPADS or SAMSUNG TABLETS than to use a traditional computer.

And what makes me sad is that the EDUCATIONAL GAMES children play on TABLETS are all CHERRY-PICKED or CURRICULA-DRIVEN and not the entertaining CD-ROM MULTIMEDIA edutainment of my early childhood so that puts a damper on things.

So much for a PERSONAL COMPUTER FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES concept when you fail to predict that in 50 years time since your unveiling, children are less inclined to use a traditional computer with a keyboard when you just have a large touchscreen.....

 

Despite ALAN KAY's project never becoming a proper reality, the computer's namesake was indeed made a reality.......

By TOSHIBA of all COMPANIES!!!

Behold the TOSHIBA DYNABOOK Subnotebook Laptops.

Now don't expect ALAN KAY who's still alive at the time of this writing to make an judgements or lawsuits as the man himself was very pleased that his Concept's namesake was used.

As a matter of fact, ALAN KAY was personally gifted said Laptop for his own personal use and was also made a guest of honor at TOSHIBA.

TOSHIBA sold their computer manufacturing to SHARP in 2018 and the DYNABOOK name has been used by SHARP since then worldwide.

And THANK BALLS I was able to make a blogpost on ALAN KAY's DYNABOOK concept before DAVID FARQUHAR of THE SILICON UNDERGROUND could beat me to said post.

Otherwise, I'd never live it down.

The Bapaco: A Mechanical Keyboard's 40+ year Old Coincidence

On February 27 2025, I found this photo on Facebook talking about a mechanical keyboard that somewhat looks like a laptop with a Jerry-Rigged display.

Ladies and Gentleman, this keyboard below is the Bapaco, a Mechanical Keyboard that is also a Jerry-Rigged laptop running Windows 11.

I never made my comment on Facebook about it but the more I look at this photo, the more I realize that this Keyboard reminds me of a certain Laptop from the Mid-1980s.....

Yeah, I could not pass up the opportunity to compare that Mechanical Keyboard to the IBM PC Convertible from 1986.

But I have a few takeaways of that keyboard above compared to the IBM Convertible.

Notice the layout?

This is a 65% Compact Keyboard which omits the function row and relegates the function keys to somewhere else on the keyboard depending on the manufacturer.

I actually don't like when keyboards omit important keys like this because it's not appropriate for a work environment.

And we can all thank the original Macintosh 128k's keyboard for teaching us about the dangers of missing keys.

Another reason I don't like 65 Compact or 40% layouts is because many games have bindings set by default that don't lend themselves very well to said layout.

The 1986 PC Convertible from IBM has a nice pseudo-75% Compact layout that I like because it has all the important Function keys that make navigating and shortcuts essential for your workloads, especially since IBM in the 1980s were all-in on Business, not games,

Unlike their competitors or PC clone manufacturers. 

"Another reason for me not being for games is because my processor is clocked at 4.77MHZ"

Plus, the PC Convertible has a detachable screen so you can opt for an External CGA Monitor of the time period 

And the PC Convertible has it's own printer that you can insert to the Computer

Though the advantage of the Bapaco shown way above and now below you is the fact that it's a full fledged PC.

It runs an Intel Core i5 1235U Processor

Has 32GB of DDR5 Ram,

and a 2TB SSD.

It also has a 5000 mAh Battery with a 6 Hour life on a full charge,

And the key switches are Hot-Swappable, just like my Epomaker Keyboard.

With those specs listed above, I hope the Bapaco is not a gimmick and is the real deal.

Jason Langevin, aka JAYZTWOCENTS, did a review of a similar product from MAXFREE back in July 31 2024 and I can recall from seeing that video he did not like the product due to some issues with connectivity with the screen and the USB-C Cables.

And the MAXFREE keyboard cost $200 when he reviewed it.

Why does the Bapaco cost between $600 to $900?

Because it's a fully fledged computer with Laptop components so it's a given that it costs more because it can do more than just be a Keyboard with a built-in Touchscreen.

As for me, I'm sort of Interested in it since I need to replace my MSI Laptop sometime this year but I mostly will use the Bapaco as my laptop instead of my daily driver keyboard since I need my coveted Function Key row.

My only complaint about the Bapaco, aside from the keyboard layout, is that it's running an Intel i5 CPU instead of an AMD Ryzen 5.

Granted the i5 is a 12th Gen instead of 13th, 14th, or 15th Gen CPU but when it comes to CPUs, I'm AMD Ryzen all the way.

All in all. the Bapaco is a solid product.

And yes, I spent a February without any Maverick Quickies which was a relief for me but lo-&-behold, I'm back to the Quickies this month.

No, I'm not suffering writers block,

It's just that I end up finding interesting tech products like the Bapaco since I'm have interest in Computer Hardware since I built Computers for myself and for my friends.

And I just can't help myself when I find interesting

And brace yourselves for more tech goodies that I uncover from the depths of WEB3, aka THE INTERNET.

And yes, I encourage those to back projects like the Bapaco Keyboard.

It's important to support the works of those who create independent projects like keyboards, games, books, and even animation.

If you're interested in the Bapaco, 

Here's the Kickstarter link to said product:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/944362954/bapaco-the-worlds-first-keyboard-with-a-built-in-computer

The product is in limited quantities however so back the project with your money while you can.....

Unless it becomes available on AMAZON.

According to the product timeline, the Launch is expected May 2025.

And pretty excited for this project so let's hope it turns out to be a really good one.

Update as of AUGUST 2 2025:

I never got the BAPACO.

Instead, I ended up buying a DELL INSPIRON 7445 2-IN-1 RYZEN 7 Laptop.