Military was one of the first industries that had started using the computers (and not just the portable ones). In fact, some of the oldest computers that we know of belonged to the military. Military had always needed the computers that were portable as well as rugged. They were also one of the first use the computers with transistors. Some of the computers they used to date back to as far as late 1950s. For example, model number AN/MYK-1 from 1959 was a military computer with portability. Then another model named M18 FADAC came in 1960. Even the earliest computers with the integrated circuits were first used by the military. It is not a much known fact that even the first laptops were meant for these purposes. Then there was a need to find a computer which was small enough so that it could fit into the hatch of the submarine resulted in the design of AN/UYK-1.
The needs that resulted in evolution
The computers used for military applications are way more robust and stronger than the ones that are used for the industrial applications. These computers feature more components and structure inside so that many things can be supported. They also have the individual support for the plug-in cards in order to make sure they do not come out of the dockets. But there is so much more. For instance, heat sink and processor are also secured. There is the glue that sticks the memory to the sockets. This means that they are designed to make sure that they are completely shock resistant. Such needs resulted in the evolution of these computers. Today, we have the best military portable computer by Trans2000.
When we look at the military portable computer by Trans2000 and the regular computers we get to see many differences in terms of design, built, and cost. These computers are far more expensive than the normal computers that we use at our homes or even in the industries. The consumer personal computers are produced in the large quantities. This is the reason why they are low cost. On the other hand, the computers for the military are designed in smaller numbers and thus the costs are much higher. The materials used for the construction of these computers are more expensive than those used for regular computers. This is why the cost increases further. The special need for military applications resulted in new designs and higher cost.
The environmental conditions in which the military devices are used also contributed to the evolution of these computers. A regular computer is used in the office or home where the environment is pretty much friendly and even controlled. The temperature levels are moderate, humidity is less, and there is a little dust. On the other hand, the computers for military have to operate in the most adverse environments. This is the reason why the thinking brains had to come up with something that can sustain even in the temperature range of -30C to 70C or humidity of up to 95%. Then there is shock or vibration that needs to be accounted.
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