Laptop computer

A laptop personal computer (10) having a display screen (3) disposed on a display housing (2) and a main housing (1) which contains most of the electronics of the computer. The main housing (1) and display housing (2) are rotatably coupled by a hinge (7), and the display screen (3) on the display housing (2) displays a movable cursor (50), the position of which is controlled by a cursor positioning device (12), such as a trackball (32). A keyboard (11) for inputting data into the laptop computer (10) is provided on the top of the main housing (1). A palm rest (9) is provided on top of the main housing (1) adjacent to the bottom row of the keyboard (11) and is adequately large to support the user's palms. The trackball (32) is located in a cooperating recess (34) in the palm rest (9) and is positioned below the space bar of the keyboard (11). At least one switch (55, 56) is provided for initiating the signal to carry out a particular function depending upon the position of the movable cursor (50) on the display screen (3) when the switch (55, 56) is activated. Two buttons (31, 33) are provided on the palm rest for activating the switches (55, 56).