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Wistron Pursebook, with 1 GHz Snapdragon ARM CPU (April 2009)

A smartbook was a class of mobile device that combined certain features of both a smartphone and netbook computer, produced between 2009 and 2010.[1] Smartbooks were advertised with features such as always on, all-day battery life, 3G, or Wi-Fi connectivity and GPS (all typically found in smartphones) in a laptop or tablet-style body with a screen size of 5 to 10 inches and a physical or soft touchscreen keyboard.[2]

A German company sold laptops under the brand Smartbook and held a trademark for the word in many countries (not including some big markets like United States, China, Japan, or India). It acted to preempt others from using the term smartbook to describe their products.[3][4]

Smartbooks tended to be designed more for entertainment purposes than for productivity and typically targeted to work with online applications.[5] They were projected to be sold subsidized through mobile network operators, like mobile phones, along with a wireless data plan.[6]

The advent of much more popular tablets like Android tablets and the iPad, coupled with the prevailing popularity of conventional desktop computers and laptops have displaced the smartbook.[7]

History

[edit]

The smartbook concept was mentioned by Qualcomm in May 2009 during marketing for its Snapdragon technology, with products expected later that year.[8] Difficulties in adapting key software (in particular, Adobe's proprietary Flash Player) to the ARM architecture[9] delayed releases until the first quarter of 2010.[10]

Smartbooks would have been powered by processors which were more energy-efficient than traditional ones typically found in desktop and laptop computers.[1] The first smartbooks were expected to use variants of the Linux operating system, such as Google's Android or ChromeOS. The ARM processor would have allowed them to achieve longer battery life than many larger devices using x86 processors.[8][9] In February 2010, ABI Research projected that 163 million smartbooks would ship in 2015.[11]

In many countries the word Smartbook was a trademark registered by Smartbook AG.[12][13] In August 2009 a German court ruled Qualcomm must block access from Germany to all its webpages containing the word Smartbook unless Smartbook AG is mentioned.[14] Smartbook AG defended its trademark.[4][15] A February 2010 ruling prevented Lenovo from using the term.[16]

By the end of 2010, Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs admitted that tablet computers such as the iPad already occupied the niche of the smartbook, so the name was dropped.[7] In February 2011 Qualcomm won its legal battle when the German patent office ruled the words "smart" and "book" could be used.[17] However, several trademarks have been registered.[18] [19] [20] [21]

Designs

[edit]

Always Innovating Touch Book

[edit]

In March 2009 the Always Innovating company announced the Touch Book.[22] It was based on the Texas Instruments OMAP 3530 which implemented the ARM Cortex-A8 architecture. It was originally developed from the Texas Instruments Beagle Board. It had a touchscreen and a detachable keyboard which contained a second battery. The device came with a Linux operating system and the company offered to license their hardware designs.[22][23][24]

Sharp Netwalker

[edit]
The Sharp PC-Z1 as seen on IFA 2009

Sharp Electronics, introduced their PC-Z1 "Netwalker" device in August 2009 with a promised ship date of October 2009. It featured a 5.5" touchscreen, runs Ubuntu on an ARM Cortex-A8 based Freescale i.MX515 and was packaged in a small clamshell design. Sharp reported the device weighs less than 500 grams and will run 10 hours on one battery charge. The device is said to run 720p video, and have both 2D and 3D graphics acceleration. It comes with Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 installed.[25]

Pegatron prototype

[edit]

Pegatron, an Asus company, showed a working prototype of a smartbook in August 2009. It consisted of an ARM Cortex-A8 based Freescale i.MX515 supports 2D/3D graphics as well as 720p HD video, 512 MB DDR2 RAM, 1024x600 8.9" LCD screen, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g and run off a SD card. It also featured one USB and one micro USB port, a VGA port as well as a card reader. The smartbook ran Ubuntu Netbook 9.04 and contained a version of Adobe Flash Player which was out of date. The bill of materials for the Pegatron smartbook prototype was $120.[26]

In November 2009 Pegatron said it had received a large number of orders for smartbooks that would launch in early 2010. The devices were rumored to sell for about $200 when subsidized. Asus announced plans to release their own smartbook in the first quarter of 2010.[27]

Lenovo Skylight

[edit]
Main article: Lenovo Skylight

Qualcomm was expected to announce a smartbook on November 12, 2009, at an analyst meeting.[28] A Lenovo device concept was shown, and announced in January 2010. In May 2010 the Skylight was cancelled.[29]

Compaq Airlife 100

[edit]

In late January 2010 a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) listing featured a device from HP that was referred as smartbook, while a prototype of the same device was already shown earlier. In beginning February on Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HP announced it will bring this device to market. The specifications will most likely be following:[30][31][32][33]

In the end of March 2010 the smartbook made an appearance at FCC again, this time listing its 3G capabilities. According to FCC, the device will support GSM 850 and 1900, as well as WCDMA II and V bands. These WCDMA bands may indicate the usage in AT&T network in the United States.[34][35] Details of the product is now available on the HP website.[36][37]

Toshiba AC100

[edit]
Main article: Toshiba AC100

In June 2010, a smartbook device from Toshiba was announced. It features Nvidia Tegra processor and is able to remain in stand-by mode for up to 7 days.[38][39] The device was officially available at the Toshiba United Kingdom site.[40] Originally delivered with Android v2.1 (upgradable to v2.2 since 2011 [41]) it can also be modified to run a customized Linux distribution.

In Japan, was sold as "Dynabook AZ".

Genesi Efika MX

[edit]

The Genesi company announced an MX Smartbook as part of their Efika line in August 2010.[42] It was originally priced at US$349, and some reviewers questioned if it was small enough to fit this definition.[43][44] It is ostensibly a derivative of the above-mentioned Pegatron design.

Others

[edit]

In September 2009, Foxconn announced it is working on smartbook development.[45] In November 2009, a Quanta Computer pre-production Snapdragon powered sample smartbook device that ran Android was unveiled.[46][47] Companies like Acer Inc. planned to release a smartbook, but due to the popularity of tablets, MacBook Air and Ultrabooks, plans were scrapped.[48]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Smartbook

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A smartbook is a class of device that blends the portability and instant-on connectivity of a with the larger display and input capabilities of a , designed primarily for web browsing, , and light tasks while prioritizing low power consumption and extended battery life. The term was coined by in 2009 to describe this hybrid category, emphasizing devices powered by ARM-based processors like the Snapdragon , which integrate (), Wi-, GPS, and for always-connected experiences without the need for a full operating system. Introduced amid the rise of netbooks and smartphones, smartbooks aimed to fill a niche for users seeking a device more capable than a phone but more efficient than traditional laptops, often running lightweight operating systems such as Android or to achieve all-day battery life on a single charge—typically 8-10 hours or more. Qualcomm's Snapdragon S1 series, featuring a 1GHz CPU, powered early prototypes and showcased models, delivering smartphone-like , playback, and intuitive touch interfaces on screens ranging from 5 to 10 inches. Notable demonstrations included HP's Android-based smartbook at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show and Lenovo's prototype, which highlighted customizable UIs and seamless cloud integration but ultimately faced delays and cancellation. Despite initial hype from chipmakers like and Freescale, the smartbook category saw limited commercial success between 2009 and 2011, with only a handful of releases such as the Airlife 100, as the rapid emergence of tablets like the overshadowed the form factor and shifted market focus toward touch-centric, app-driven devices. By the early , smartbooks largely faded, influencing later developments in ARM-based laptops and hybrid ultramobiles but never achieving widespread adoption due to ecosystem immaturity and competition from more versatile alternatives.

Overview

Definition

A smartbook is a class of hybrid mobile computing devices that blend the portability and instant-on connectivity of smartphones with the larger display and input capabilities of netbooks, a term coined by Qualcomm in 2009 to describe this emerging category. These devices were envisioned as ultra-portable alternatives for users seeking a balance between mobile phone functionality and lightweight laptop experiences, featuring screens typically 5 to 10 inches in size. Smartbooks differ from traditional x86-based netbooks, which relied on Intel Atom processors and often ran Windows XP for broader software compatibility, by employing ARM architecture—such as Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset—for significantly lower power consumption and slimmer designs. In contrast to touch-only smartphones, smartbooks emphasize a hybrid form factor, including clamshell configurations with physical keyboards (such as thumb keyboards for handheld use) to support extended typing and productivity on the go, while maintaining persistent , Wi-Fi, and GPS connectivity. This ARM-based approach enables the low power profile that distinguishes smartbooks from more power-hungry x86 devices. Targeted primarily at lightweight tasks like web browsing, email, social networking, and , smartbooks prioritize always-on access and entertainment over heavy computing. They offer all-day battery life on a single charge, often exceeding 10 hours for typical usage, making them ideal for mobile professionals and casual users focused on connected, on-the-move activities.

Key Characteristics

Smartbooks were characterized by their compact clamshell form factor, typically featuring screens ranging from 5 to 10 inches in size to balance portability and usability. These devices often included a physical keyboard integrated into the design, alongside capabilities for intuitive interaction, distinguishing them from larger laptops or smaller smartphones. Their lightweight construction, generally under 2 pounds and less than 20 mm thick, emphasized high portability for on-the-go use. A core emphasis of smartbooks was extended battery life, designed to support all-day usage of 8 to 10 hours on a single charge, with standby times extending up to a week. This efficiency stemmed from the use of low-power ARM-based processors, enabling prolonged operation without frequent recharging. Input methods combined tactile and touch-based interfaces, with the physical keyboard providing full typing support and options like trackpads or pointing sticks for navigation, complemented by screens. Connectivity was a hallmark feature, incorporating built-in or cellular for , alongside , , and GPS for versatile access. Standard ports such as USB and allowed for peripheral connections and external display output.

History

Origins and Announcement

The concept of the smartbook emerged in the late 2000s amid the rapid growth of s and s, as industry leaders sought to address the limitations of both categories by creating hybrid devices with extended battery life, always-on connectivity, and portable form factors. The boom, which began with the launch of the in 2007 and peaked in 2008-2009 with shipments exceeding projections, highlighted demand for affordable, lightweight computing but was constrained by short battery life and x86 processor inefficiencies. Concurrently, the market expanded dramatically following the iPhone's 2007 debut and Android's 2008 introduction, offering mobile internet access but lacking larger screens and full productivity capabilities. identified this gap and positioned smartbooks as an intermediary solution powered by its ARM-based Snapdragon processors, which enabled smartphone-like efficiency in a -sized device. Qualcomm formally introduced the term "smartbook" in May 2009 to describe this new category of always-connected, mobile-optimized devices, building on its Snapdragon platform originally unveiled in 2007. The announcement emphasized integration of , GPS, and features into compact hardware, with battery life targeting 8-10 hours to surpass netbooks while offering displays up to 12 inches for better than smartphones. This move was part of Qualcomm's broader strategy to extend its dominance in mobile chipsets beyond phones into computing, promoting Snapdragon as the enabler for a seamless blend of and functionalities. Initial industry excitement centered on early partnerships and prototype demonstrations at major trade shows in 2009 and 2010. collaborated with manufacturers including and HP, announcing a Snapdragon-powered prototype in November 2009 that showcased connectivity and instant-on capabilities. At CES 2010, HP unveiled the first complete smartbook reference design using Snapdragon and Android, highlighting the platform's potential for intuitive interfaces and long runtime. These reveals, involving over a dozen partners like Acer and , generated significant hype around smartbooks as the next evolution in portable computing, with forecasting dozens of devices by year's end.

Production and Release Timeline

In , the smartbook concept advanced from conceptual discussions to tangible prototypes, with several manufacturers unveiling early models to demonstrate feasibility. showcased multiple smartbook reference designs at in June, highlighting potential form factors like sliding keyboards and compact chassis powered by processors. , an subsidiary, followed in August by displaying a working prototype based on the processor, emphasizing its slim profile and low power consumption compared to contemporary netbooks. These demonstrations signaled imminent production, but progress stalled due to challenges in software integration for ARM architectures, including delays in optimizing applications like for such platforms. The year 2010 marked the transition to commercial availability, though marred by postponements and cancellations amid ongoing software hurdles. HP announced the Airlife 100 in February 2010, which became available in through carrier Telefonica in May 2010 as one of the first widely available smartbooks, equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor and Android. announced the AC100 in June, with shipments beginning in shortly thereafter and expanding to in the third quarter, utilizing NVIDIA's 2 for extended battery life. Conversely, Lenovo's , unveiled at CES in with an initial April target, faced repeated delays—pushed to July in the U.S.—before being shelved entirely on May 28, 2010, as the company discontinued its custom OS and pivoted toward Android integration. Android OS adoption challenges, such as limited ecosystem maturity for laptop-like devices, contributed to these setbacks across the industry. Post-2010 releases dwindled, reflecting the category's nascent stage and production constraints. Genesi introduced the Efika MX in August 2010, with units shipping to early adopters by October, powered by the Freescale i.MX515 and running a Linux-based system. Subsequent entries remained infrequent, with the Efika MX line discontinued by the mid-2010s as broader manufacturing interest waned. By that point, the smartbook segment had largely faded from active production timelines.

Technology

Hardware Components

Smartbooks were designed around low-power ARM-based processors to achieve greater energy efficiency compared to traditional x86 architectures used in netbooks. Processors included ARM-based SoCs such as the S1 (~1 GHz) in the HP Compaq Airlife 100, which integrated CPU, GPU, and modem functionalities into a single system-on-chip (SoC) to minimize power draw while supporting web browsing and multimedia tasks, and the 250 in the AC100. This ARM architecture contrasted with x86 processors like Intel's Atom by prioritizing reduced thermal output and extended runtime over raw computational performance. Displays typically measured around 10 inches. Some models, such as the HP Airlife 100, featured resistive touchscreens, while others like the AC100 used non-touch displays. For example, the Lenovo Skylight prototype featured a 10.1-inch panel with 1280 x 720 resolution, while commercial models such as the HP Airlife 100 and AC100 used 1024 x resolution. Storage relied on flash-based solutions, with capacities ranging from 8 to 32 GB of NAND across models; for instance, the Airlife 100 had 16 GB, and the AC100 had 8–16 GB in most configurations. These devices typically included 512 MB of DDR2 RAM. Power management in smartbooks emphasized all-day battery life through optimized chipsets and custom battery configurations, often achieving 10 or more hours of usage. Integrated modems for cellular data, embedded within the SoC in some designs, further enhanced efficiency by reducing the need for separate power-hungry components. Smartbooks typically featured built-in physical keyboards in a clamshell form factor to support light productivity tasks.

Software and Operating Systems

Smartbooks primarily utilized Android as their operating system, leveraging its compatibility with architectures and its relatively low resource demands to enable extended battery life and efficient performance on mobile processors. Early commercial models, such as the HP AirLife 100 released in 2010, shipped with Android 1.6 Donut, which supported basic multitasking and improved search functionality but was optimized for touch-based rather than keyboard-driven laptop interfaces. Later devices like the AC100, launched in 2010, ran Android 2.1 , incorporating live wallpapers, , and enhanced integration, though these versions still emphasized ecosystems over full suites. The choice of Android allowed manufacturers to repurpose smartphone software for the emerging smartbook category, but it required custom adaptations to handle netbook-style hardware like physical keyboards and larger displays. Alternative operating systems included various distributions tailored for processors, addressing the need for lightweight, open-source environments in prototypes and some commercial efforts. For instance, the prototype featured a custom Linux-based OS with a gadget-focused interface for web services like and , prioritizing instant-on booting and cloud connectivity over traditional desktop paradigms. developed an -optimized version of Edition (later rebranded as 10.10), demonstrated on Freescale i.MX51 reference designs in 2010, which used the Enlightenment for efficient 2D rendering on low-power hardware. Experimental prototypes also explored Chrome OS, as seen in a 2010 FLO TV collaboration with and , where the OS powered a Snapdragon-based smartbook for datacasting TV and web gadgets via , highlighting its browser-centric design for seamless cloud access. Despite these adaptations, smartbook software faced significant limitations due to the transitional nature of mobile OS on PC-like form factors. Android's app ecosystem lacked robust desktop-grade applications, such as full suites or advanced media editors, forcing reliance on browser-based alternatives like , which often resulted in sluggish performance on early hardware. Interfaces were predominantly touch- and browser-centric, with minimal native support for keyboard shortcuts or multi-window productivity, leading to a fragmented compared to x86 Windows netbooks. Additionally, peripheral driver issues plagued adoption, as ARM-specific kernels struggled with compatibility for USB devices, printers, and external displays, often requiring manufacturer-specific hacks or limiting functionality to basic connectivity. These constraints underscored the challenges of porting mobile software to chassis without native x86 app support.

Notable Devices

Early Prototypes

The development of smartbooks in the late was marked by several pre-commercial prototypes that showcased ARM-based architectures for low-power, always-connected computing, previewing the hybrid smartphone-netbook form factor before widespread . The Always Innovating Touch Book, unveiled on March 2, 2009, at the DEMO conference in , represented an early exploration of detachable tablet-netbook hybrids. This prototype featured an 8.9-inch capacitive touchscreen with 1024 x 600 resolution, powered by a OMAP3530 processor running at 600 MHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 8 GB of microSD storage. It ran a customized version of (along with support for and Windows CE), emphasizing touch-optimized interfaces for web browsing and media consumption. The device's innovative allowed the screen to detach from its keyboard base, functioning as a standalone tablet with up to 10 hours of battery life in tablet mode or 15 hours when docked, thanks to dual lithium-polymer batteries totaling 32 Wh. Weighing under 2 pounds (0.9 kg) overall, the Touch Book highlighted the potential for lightweight, long-endurance devices but remained a limited production run rather than a mass-market product. Lenovo's prototype, showcased at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show, demonstrated an ARM-based smartbook with always-connected features. It featured a 10.1-inch high-definition display with 1280 x 720 resolution, powered by a 1 GHz processor, and ran a custom operating system optimized for cloud services and web browsing. The device included 3G connectivity, , , and up to 10 hours of battery life from a 30 Wh battery, weighing approximately 1 kg. Designed for seamless integration with social networking and multimedia, the highlighted customizable user interfaces but was ultimately cancelled before commercial release. In , Sharp introduced the Netwalker PC-Z1 prototype in August 2009 as a compact "Mobile Internet Tool" tailored for on-the-go connectivity. This clamshell device incorporated a 5-inch TFT with 1024 x 600 resolution and a slide-out keyboard, driven by a Freescale i.MX515 processor at 800 MHz, 512 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of onboard NAND flash storage expandable via microSD. Optimized for 9.04 , it boasted a rapid 3-second boot time to access and web services, with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and 2.1 for wireless integration, though it lacked built-in cellular in the initial design. Measuring 161.4 x 108.7 x 19.7-24.8 mm and weighing 409 grams, the PC-Z1 emphasized portability and instant-on functionality, influencing later mobile internet devices despite its regional focus and limited availability. Pegatron Technology showcased a reference design smartbook prototype at Computex 2009 in , , underscoring modular hardware innovations for ARM-powered portables. This 10-inch clamshell model utilized a Freescale i.MX51 processor, enabling a slim profile under 1 cm thick and weighing approximately 1 kg, with a focus on detachable components for flexible use as a , tablet, or . The separated into keyboard, screen, and even mouse-like elements, running Linux-based software to demonstrate multi-mode operation and extended battery life through efficient . Intended as a for OEMs, this highlighted the scalability of smartbook architectures but did not enter production, serving instead to validate concepts like reconfigurable hardware for emerging mobile ecosystems.

Commercial Releases

Commercial smartbooks first appeared in late 2009, with additional releases in , marking the transition from prototypes to market-available devices aimed at providing low-power, always-connected computing primarily through processors and mobile operating systems. These early releases emphasized portability, long battery life, and internet-focused functionality, often bundled with cellular data plans in select regions. Toshiba's AC100, released in the third quarter of 2010 in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, featured a 10.1-inch 1024x600 LED-backlit display, a 1GHz Nvidia Tegra 2 processor, 512MB DDR2 RAM, and 8GB or 32GB SSD storage options. It ran Android 2.1 out of the box, with support for 802.11n Wi-Fi, optional 3G connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1, and an HDMI port for external displays. Weighing 870 grams and offering up to 8 hours of battery life, the AC100 was priced at approximately $450 in markets like the UK. HP's Airlife 100, launched in spring 2010 exclusively through carrier Telefonica in countries including , , and parts of and , targeted emerging markets with subsidized pricing tied to mobile broadband plans. It included a 10.1-inch 1024x600 , a 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, 16GB SSD storage, and Android 1.6 as the operating system. The device supported , optional , GPS, and a 1.3-megapixel , with a 28Wh battery delivering around 6 hours of typical use. Priced at about $300 unsubsidized, it emphasized seamless integration with cellular networks for cloud-based tasks. Genesi's Efika MX, introduced in September 2010 with an and software focus, appealed to developers and enthusiasts through its customizable Linux-based platform. Equipped with a 10.1-inch 1024x600 display, an 800MHz Freescale i.MX51 processor, 512MB RAM, and 16GB NAND flash storage, it featured 3D acceleration, optional , and fanless operation for silent performance. The Efika MX weighed about 900 grams and prioritized energy efficiency with under 12 watts power draw, priced initially at $349. Other lesser-known commercial releases included planned ARM-based models from manufacturers like , which announced intentions for a sub-$200 smartbook in early 2010 but ultimately delayed or shifted focus without a widely documented launch. These devices collectively represented the brief commercial peak of the smartbook category before market shifts toward tablets.

Market Impact

Reception and Challenges

Upon their release in and , smartbooks received praise for their exceptional battery life and portability, which addressed key demands for during a period of economic uncertainty. Reviewers highlighted devices like the AC100, which offered up to eight hours of active use and seven days on standby, making it suitable for extended unplugged sessions. Its slim 1.9-pound design and 10.1-inch screen were also commended for enhancing on-the-go usability, with noting its "incredibly light feel" and excellent build quality. Similarly, prototypes showcased at CES , such as the Lenovo , were lauded for promising up to 10 hours of battery with connectivity, positioning smartbooks as viable alternatives to power-hungry netbooks. Despite these strengths, smartbooks faced significant technical challenges, particularly with software immaturity. Android, the primary operating system, was not optimized for netbook-style hardware, leading to frustrating user experiences; for instance, the AC100's interface lacked proper keyboard support, including right-click functionality, tabbing between fields, and adequate shortcuts, rendering it "abominable for laptops." Broader reviews of smartbooks at CES noted sluggish UIs, frequent bugs, and imprecise trackpads, underscoring the lack of polish in adapting mobile OSes to larger screens and input devices. App ecosystem gaps compounded these issues, as many models, including the AC100, omitted the Android Market, forcing users to manually install APKs via USB, which limited access to productivity tools and web applications essential for netbook users. Economic hurdles further dampened adoption, with smartbooks priced at $300–$500—such as the AC100 at around $380–$460—proving less competitive against sub-$300 s that offered similar portability with more mature Windows ecosystems. The lingering effects of the 2009 recession constrained on non-essential tech, while the April 2010 launch of the intensified competition, causing netbook and smartbook sales growth to plummet from triple digits in 2009 to just 5% by mid-2010 and contributing to a 13% year-over-year decline. Overall, these factors led to underwhelming market reception, with awarding the AC100 a 1/10 rating and deeming it an "impractical curio."

Decline and Legacy

The decline of the smartbook category began shortly after its initial announcements, accelerated by the rapid emergence of tablet computers that offered superior touch-based interfaces and portability. The launch of Apple's in April 2010 captured significant market attention, providing a more intuitive for and light without the keyboard constraints of smartbooks, leading manufacturers to pivot toward tablet development. Android tablets followed suit in 2010 and 2011, further eroding interest in the hybrid form factor of smartbooks, which struggled with software optimization for their processors. Compounding these challenges was the industry's shift toward x86-based ultrabooks, promoted by starting in 2011, which delivered higher performance and full compatibility with Windows applications, appealing to users seeking more capable portable devices. By 2012, major vendors like and HP had ceased announcing new smartbook models, with production efforts redirected to tablets and ultrabooks amid poor sales and unresolved software limitations from earlier reception. The term "smartbook" was largely abandoned by industry analysts and manufacturers by 2015, as the category failed to achieve meaningful and was overshadowed by evolving portable computing trends. Despite its short lifespan, the smartbook concept left a lasting legacy by demonstrating the viability of ARM architecture for extended battery life in laptop-like devices, influencing subsequent developments in mobile computing. It paved the way for ARM-based Windows laptops, with Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors enabling the first commercial releases in late 2017, such as the HP Envy x2, which built on the always-connected, low-power ethos of early smartbooks. This push also contributed to the adoption of ARM in Chromebooks, including in low-cost models since the early 2010s, and inspired 2-in-1 hybrid designs that blend tablet and laptop functionality. Qualcomm's early advocacy for smartbooks accelerated its broader strategy in ARM-based personal computing, fostering innovations in efficient, cellular-enabled devices that persist in modern ultramobiles. This influence continues in modern devices, such as the Snapdragon X Elite-powered Copilot+ PCs launched in 2024 by manufacturers including Microsoft and Samsung, and the Snapdragon X2 Elite platform announced in September 2025, which promise enhanced performance and efficiency in always-connected laptops.

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