How does a portable computer assist a newspaper reporter?

Mainly because they can write their articles 'in the field' instead of waiting until they get back to the office. Before laptops became widely used, reporters had to either write everything down, or use a dictation machine when they were asking questions etc - and type up their story back at the office. Now, they can interview someone, write their story, and mail it back to their office using WI-FI.