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Technology has come a long way from thick monitors and green screens. Back then, they functioned in a utilitarian way. Sure, our computers still remain workhorses in offices and homes. But once handheld devices advanced into the consumer arena, people everywhere fell for the freedom of mobility.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact history of the first laptop. But many historical researchers agree on the Osborne 1. The 1981 portable computer weighed 24 pounds and had a 5 inch screen. MSI’s newest generation of laptops, the X460 and X460DX, weigh in at a mere 1.98 kg and come with either a Core i5 or Core i7 processor. Even though it is less than an inch thick, consumers are able to opt for a second internal hard drive to boost storage capacity.

When Apple unleashed the iPad on the hungry public, it didn’t take long for other companies to unveil tablets of their own. The Toshiba Thrive 16GB tablet looks sharp and uses Android 3.1 technology. The Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a 10.1 inch TFT Active Matrix display and NVidia Tegra 2 1 GHz processor.

Cellphones and eReaders also make your mobile live sweeter. The Barnes & Noble NookColor lacks an e-ink display, making it a mini-tablet as well. With a slot for a MicroSD card, consumers can increase its internal storage capabilities. Be on the lookout for the Motorola Dinara, slated to be released later this year. Motorola’s super phone is expected to contain an HD touchscreen, 13MP rear camera, TI processor and 1GB of Ram.