Chapter 9

Understanding Laptops

The following CompTIA A+ Exam 220-801 objectives are covered in this chapter:

• 3.1 Install and configure laptop hardware and components.
  • Expansion options: Express card/34, Express card/54, PCMCIA, SODIMM, Flash
  • Hardware/device replacement: Keyboard, Hard Drive (2.5 vs. 3.5), Memory, Optical drive, Wireless card, Mini-PCIe, Screen, DC jack, Battery, Touchpad, Plastics, Speaker, System board, CPU
• 3.2 Compare and contrast the components within the display of a laptop.
  • Types: LCD, LED, OLED, Plasma
  • Wi-Fi antenna connector/placement
  • Inverter and its function
  • Backlight
• 3.3 Compare and contrast laptop features.
  • Special function keys: Dual displays, Wireless (on/off), Volume settings, Screen brightness, Bluetooth (on/off), Keyboard backlight
  • Docking station vs. port replicator
  • Physical laptop lock and cable lock

As recently as the early 1990s, portable computers were luxuries that were affordable to only the wealthy or the select few businesspeople who traveled extensively. As with all other technologies, though, portable systems have gotten smaller, lighter (more portable), more powerful, and less expensive. Because the technology and price disparity between the two platforms has decreased significantly, laptops have outsold desktops since the mid-2000s.

Every indication is that the movement toward mobile computing will continue, so you definitely need to be well versed in portable technologies, which contain both nifty features and frustrating quirks. For this discussion, assume that a portable computer is any computer that contains all the functionality of a desktop computer system but is portable. Most people define portable in terms of weight and size. So that we can discuss things on the same level, let’s define portable as less than 10 pounds and smaller than an average desktop computer.

Of course, laptops are not the only types of portable computers in the market today. There are netbooks, tablets, and a variety of handheld smartphones that can lay claim to being called computers too. For the purpose of this chapter, we’ll specifically look at laptops, but many of the principles will be applicable to other other, smaller portable computers as well. For specific material on smaller mobile devices, see Chapter 18, “Mobile Devices.”

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The original portable computers were hardly portable, hence the unofficial term luggable. They were the size of a small suitcase and could weigh 50 pounds. Not only were they greatly inferior to desktops in technology, they were also outrageously expensive. It’s no wonder few people purchased them. Compaq, Kaypro, and Osborne made some of the first luggable computers.

Laptops were the next type of portable computer. They contain a built-in keyboard, pointing device, and LCD screen in a clamshell design. They are also called notebook computers because they resemble large notebooks. Most portable computers in use today are laptop computers.

In this chapter, you will learn about laptop computer architecture and how it differs from desktop computer architecture, including specific laptop hardware technologies. We’ll then talk about management features unique to laptops and how to replace laptop components.