Patent attributes
A computer is formed by two detachable modules that are electrically connected by a separable electrical connector assembly whose two respective socket-plug mating members are mounted on respective opposing mating surfaces of the two modules. The opposing electrical connector members are disposed on the opposing surfaces to be electrically and physically mated when the connectors are aligned and the two mating surfaces are in proximal contact. In some embodiments of the invention, computer functions are physically segmented into functionally differentiated modules (display function, processor function, memory function, etc.). Segmented computer functions are characterized by a measure of a reliability characteristic and segregated into one or another of the separable modules according to the rank order of the reliability characteristic measures. In another embodiment, the segregation is based on the likelihood a component will be upgraded.