When I lived in Britain in 1989-1992, at the time the rule was that battery-powered TVs were exempt from the license fees. I had a tiny TV that could be powered by 6 AA batteries. The screen size was approximately 3 inches / 7.5cm.
I don't know if the rules have changed since then, but if they are the same, then a battery-powered laptop would also be exempt (even in color.)
I don't know if the rules have changed since then, but if they are the same, then a battery-powered laptop would also be exempt (even in color.)