Portable Devices
There’s no standard definition for portable device, although the term has been in use longer than mobile device. As the name implies, a portable device is something that is small and lightweight enough to move around and carry with relative ease. Even the first laptop computer, the Osborn 1, which weighed 24 pounds, was considered a portable computer. Portable is a broad term that encompasses everything from a printer that can be carried around to a smartphone you carry in your pocket. The term occurred more frequently before laptops and smartphones became popular, perhaps because there used to be a clearer distinction between devices that could be easily moved and those that could not.
Portable vs. Mobile
These days, most gadgets, including phones, tablets, and laptops, are often considered mobile devices. The distinction is a fine but important one. Rather than focus on an item’s portability and ability to be carried, the mobile device term describes how it helps users. These devices are small and capable enough to allow users to be mobile. The term mobile device also connotes wireless connectivity. If a mobile device doesn’t have internet access, it wouldn’t be considered a capable tool for mobile productivity. Connectivity has become the main distinction between portable and mobile devices. An external hard drive or external battery pack, for example, might be considered a portable device, while a small wireless hotspot could be considered a mobile device.
The Future of Portability
There are currently many portable devices, from media players and game consoles to wearable computers and smartphones. As time goes on, distinguishing between portable and mobile devices may become a non-issue. Increasingly, most gadgets—portable or not—are getting wireless or connectivity features.
