The document discusses common laptop components. Many components inside the laptop case are proprietary including the motherboard, CPU, hard drives, RAM, and wireless capabilities. The CPU and RAM cannot typically be upgraded. Outside the case, all laptops include batteries specifically designed for the laptop, a power cord, and LCD or LED screens built into the hinged cover. Laptops also have smaller keyboards and touchpads or trackpads to control the cursor. Built-in speakers and sometimes optical drives are also included.

1. Common laptop
components.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
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PACE-IT.
– Components inside the case.
– Components outside the case.

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Common laptop components.

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As laptops are designed to
be portable, they are smaller
and lighter than most
desktop systems.
This has led to some basic differences in the
components of the laptop. Many of the components
found in the laptop are proprietary to the
manufacturer of the laptop. Also, while many laptops
can be upgraded, it can be more difficult and
expensive to do so.
Common laptop components.

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Common laptop components.
– Motherboard.
» Each motherboard is designed specifically for the laptop in
which it fits.
• Non-upgradeable beyond BIOS upgrades.
• No standard form factor.
– CPU.
» Because of the nature of the motherboard, the CPU is not really
upgradeable.
• Some modern laptops come with the CPU soldered in place.
• It is more common to have integrated graphics in the laptop
CPU.
» They are designed to be consume less power.
• Increases the amount of time it can run on the battery.
• Reduces heat output, requiring less powerful fans.
• Cannot handle the same workload as a desktop CPU.

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Common laptop components.
– Hard disk drives.
» Smaller form factor than is commonly found in the desktop.
• 2.5 inch vs. the 3.5 inch disk drive found in the desktop.
» A 2.5 inch hard disk drive has a smaller overall capacity.
» Currently it is not uncommon for laptops to come with solid
state drives instead of the traditional hard disk drive.
– Random Access Memory (RAM).
» SO-DIMM is the current standard for laptops.
• It comes in all current standards of RAM.
• It may be easily upgradeable or it may be soldered in place.
– Wireless.
» Most laptops come with built in wireless networking capability.
• In most cases, this is achieved by using a wireless card that
uses the a mini-PCI or mini-PCIe interface to the
motherboard.
» The antenna for wireless is commonly located in the hinged
cover next to the screen.

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Common laptop components.
– Battery.
» All laptops come with batteries that supply DC current to the
system.
• They are specifically designed for the laptop.
» Many are easily replaceable.
• Easy to remove; can be updated with batteries that meet the
manufacturer’s specifications.
» Some are not field replaceable.
• Proprietary to the manufacturer and/or soldered in place.
» All laptops use a special power cord.
• The cord receives the AC wall current and converts it to the
appropriate DC current required by the laptop.
» The power cord delivers the DC current to a DC jack located on
the outside of the laptop.
• Because of the constant plugging in and unplugging of the
cord, it is not uncommon for the DC jack to become loose
inside the laptop. It can usually be reattached.
» Lithium-ion (Li-ion) is currently the most common type of
battery.

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Common laptop components.

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Common laptop components.
– Screens.
» Laptops have built in screens located in the hinged cover.
• Commonly, it is an LCD or LED type screen.
• Less commonly, it is an OLED or plasma type screen.
– Keyboard.
» In most cases, the laptop keyboard is smaller and more
compact than the desktop keyboard.
» To make up for this and to add additional capabilities, most
laptops have a special function key.
• The function key (Fn) will change the results of a key
depression on certain keys. The alternate function that is
performed is often colored blue on the key.
– Touchpad/Trackpad.
» Located below the keyboard and above the palm rest, it is used
to move the cursor or perform other operations.
• Designed to sense finger movement, the sensitivity of the
touchpad can usually be adjusted by a software setting.
» Some laptops come with a pointing device that is specifically
designed to move the cursor.

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Common laptop components.
– Speakers.
» Laptops come with speakers that are integrated into the
system. They are non-upgradeable.
– Optical drives.
» Many laptops come with modular optical drives built in.
• In some cases, the optical drive bay may be a multi-function
bay, allowing optional components to use the bay in place of
the optical drive.
» As the size and weight of the laptop decreases, it is becoming
harder and harder to find one with an optical drive.

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Common laptop components.
Many of the components of the laptop are proprietary to the manufacturer of
the system. There is no common laptop motherboard form factor. The CPU
that comes with it is the one that you get. The RAM and disk drives used
are also a smaller form factor than the desktop. Wireless networking
capabilities are commonly built into the laptop. All laptops use specific
batteries that are designed for each laptop.
Topic
Components inside the case.
Summary
All laptops have screens built into the hinged cover. The most common type
of screen is the LCD or LED screen; less common is the OLED or plasma
screen. A smaller more compact keyboard is included with the laptop.
Touchpads or trackpads are used to move the cursor and perform other
functions on the laptop. Laptops come with built in speakers and may also
have a modular optical drive included.
Components outside the
case.

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