Parts of Laptops
Laptops are miniature personal computers comparing their size and shape with their desktop counterparts. However, both laptops and desktop PCs have similar components like processor, motherboard, LCD display, disk drives, graphics cards etc. As laptops are meant for portable use and optimized to run using less power, these components generally run a bit slower than desktop PCs thus sacrificing certain level of performance. However, with the introduction of the latest PowerPC G4 and G5 technologies, we can find laptops that can run as fast as high-end desktop PCs.
Following are the basic parts of laptops:
Display
Laptops come with liquid crystal display screen with size starting from 12 inches. Larger displays between 17 and 20 inches are available with desk-top replacement laptops. Recent developments such as using the TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) display and DSTN screens enabled the laptops to display picture with greater sharpness, faster response rate and superb colour accuracy.
Processor
Laptops perform the computing tasks using the specially designed processors which are generally a little slower than desktop PCs while this is not the case with the high-end laptops available today. Most laptops have processor chips that use less power and make less noise while running. While this accounts for the relatively slower performance of laptops, companies like Intel, IBM and Apple have recently introduced powerful chips that can be as fast as corresponding processor generation used in desktop PCs.
Although most laptops cannot be upgraded to higher processor speeds, the leading processor chip manufacturer, Intel has recently introduced MMC technology with the latest laptops that enables the laptop users to upgrade the processor.
Memory
As many components need to be integrated within the compact design, laptops adapt the technique of memory modules in their systems. Thus, various memory modules like SDRAM (Single data rate Synchronous RAM), DDR SDRAM (Dual Data Rate Synchronous RAM) and SODIMM (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) are used in laptops to provide required internal memory.
Hard drive and other data storage devices
Internal hard drives in laptops are usually smaller than those used in desktops. They also have less capacity and slower speed to conserve energy. This leads to less noise level while running.
However, recent improvements in laptop technology saw the introduction of hard drives higher capacities, better shock-proof and power-saving features.
As floppy disk drives have become obsolete, other storage devices like CD-RW, DVD-RW have taken the place of former. Since these newer mass data storage devices should fit into the small size of laptops, the manufactures use designs like hot swappable, cold swappable and warm swappable drives that can use the same bay in the laptop.
Batteries
Laptops are truly portable as they can run on the batteries which have an average life of 2 to 5 hours before they die out completely. The life of battery largely depends upon the types of batteries used and how much the internal parts of laptops consume the power. To enable the users to work different locations, laptops need batteries which are lighter and more efficient than old lead acid batteries.
The Nickel Cadmium (NiCAD) batteries were first used in laptops due to their light weight and better life. These batteries could provide power for period up to 2 hours on average. However, the introduction of Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) helped to get even better battery life. Both these earlier batteries have less battery life when compared with that of new, improved Lilon batteries which are safer and have an extended life up to 5 hours, even on intense use.
