1.1 – Laptop Hardware

Laptop designs prioritize compact size and portability, making internal repairs more complex.

Some laptop manufacturers are known for making their devices easier to repair than others.

Many laptop manufacturers provide detailed service information to guide technicians on component replacements.

Many laptops have modular batteries that can be easily removed and replaced.

Batteries in some laptops are integrated into the chassis and not designed for easy removal.

Lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries are commonly used in laptops due to their efficient charging and recharging capabilities.

Each charging cycle slightly reduces a battery's overall capacity, leading to reduced charge time or battery life over time.

When purchasing a new laptop battery, choose a model specifically designed for that make and model of laptop.

Using unique biological characteristics to verify identity, like fingerprints or facial recognition.

A software component that allows the operating system to use biometric authentication methods.

Hardware that captures biometric data, like a fingerprint scanner or a camera.

A feature that utilizes facial recognition for authentication.

A feature that uses fingerprint scanning for authentication.

Using multiple authentication methods simultaneously to enhance security.

A wireless communication technology for short-range data transfer.

Using NFC in a laptop to authenticate without touching the device.

A type of memory module commonly used in laptops and mobile devices. It's smaller than a traditional DIMM and is often accessible through a window on the bottom of the laptop.

A type of storage device that uses a magnetic disk to store data. It's a spinning, physical drive.

A type of storage device that uses solid state technology for data storage, meaning it has no moving parts and offers faster access speeds. It offers the same form factor as hard drives, allowing for easy upgrades.

A smaller and more compact form factor for SSD storage devices, offering greater storage capacity in smaller spaces. It's often found in laptops and other mobile devices.

The keyboard is an important input device for laptops. It is the primary way to interact with the operating system.

Function keys on a laptop keyboard can have primary and secondary functions. Secondary functions are often accessed by holding down the Function key.

The part of the keyboard that includes the keys for moving the cursor, such as up, down, left, and right.

A replaceable part of the laptop keyboard, which are easily removed and damaged if handled carelessly.

The connector that allows the keyboard to be connected to the laptop's motherboard.

A secondary function of a laptop keyboard, allowing users to connect an external keyboard via a USB port.

Due to space constraints in laptops, layouts can be adjusted, often incorporating extra function keys and repositioning keys like the arrow keys.

The ability to upgrade or replace the laptop's memory modules, extending its lifespan and performance.

Laptop memory that's soldered onto the motherboard, making it impossible to upgrade or replace.

The process of adding a SO-DIMM module to a laptop to increase its memory capacity.

Replacing the motherboard, a costly solution for upgrading memory in laptops with soldered memory.

A type of storage drive known for its fast read and write speeds, often used in laptops for quick boot times and application loading. It connects through an M.2 interface, a slot found on the motherboard.

A common interface for connecting storage drives, especially SSDs, directly to the motherboard. It's a smaller, more efficient alternative to SATA, offering faster data transfer rates.

A physical connector used to connect storage devices (like SSDs and HDDs) to the motherboard, enabling data transfer.

A type of storage device that uses spinning magnetic platters to store data. It is typically slower than an SSD.

A method of transferring data from one drive to another by creating an exact copy, preserving all user data and applications. It's like making a blueprint of the old drive.

A software tool used to create an image (a copy) of a hard drive and transfer it to another drive, preserving all data and applications. It's like making a backup of the whole operating system and files.

A wireless communication standard used for connecting devices over short distances, primarily used for connecting peripherals like headphones, keyboards, and mice.

A wireless networking standard used for connecting devices to a local area network (LAN) wirelessly. It provides internet access without cables.

A small expansion card designed for laptops, typically used for adding wireless functionality (WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular) to a system.

A wireless communication technology that uses a cellular network to provide internet access to devices. It allows for connectivity when WiFi is not available.

The main circuit board of a computer. It houses the CPU, RAM, and other components.

The process of upgrading the storage drive in a laptop from a slower mechanical hard drive (HDD) to a faster solid-state drive (SSD) to improve overall system performance.

The physical space within a device where a storage drive is installed.

The process of physically connecting a storage drive to the motherboard. This usually involves connecting a cable, securing the drive, and potentially screwing it in place.