A Guide to Parts In a Laptop

Laptop Part List

AC Adapter
Audio Board
Battery
CMOS Battery
Hard Drive
HeatSink      & Fan
Inverter Board
Keyboard
LCD Cable
LCD Screen
Memory
Motherboard
Optical Drive
Processor
Touchpad
Video Card


 

Motherboard or Mainboard

The motherboard is the board that all internal laptop components are connected to. Motherboards in laptop computers are different than desktop motherboards because they do not have to adhere to a specific form factor like desktop motherboards do (AT, ATX), they are designed and shaped differently for every laptop. Also, laptop motherboards are not as upgradeable because many components like video and audio are integrated into the motherboard and they may have no expansion slots available at all. 

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is considered to be the brain of the computer which contains the circuitry used to interpret and execute program instructions. All of the "processing" of data is done by the CPU, which is why a faster processor = a faster computer. Laptop processors are designed specifically to reduce heat and save energy, but they are not as powerful as desktop processors. You will want to get a laptop with the fastest CPU you can afford because the CPU in a laptop is generally not upgradeable.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Memory is used for the temporary storage and manipulation of data, when a program is opened it is loaded into RAM for quick and easy access. The more memory you have the better your laptop is going to perform because it will be able to store more data for quick access. Memory is one of the few parts in a laptop that can usually be upgraded. Laptops use SODIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) Memory, which is smaller than the memory in a desktop computer.

Graphics Card or Display Adapter

The graphics card is a circuit board that generates and outputs the images to be displayed on the lcd screen. Modern graphics cards often have there own processors (GPU) and RAM, so the CPU and system memory don't have to perform all the graphics calculations and storing. In laptops the video chips are often integrated into the motherboard and generally not possible to upgrade.

Sound Board

The audio board is used to enable the laptop to input, process, and output sound. In laptops the audio chip is usually integrated into the motherboard and, like video chips, is generally not possible to upgrade. 

Hard Drive

The hard disk drive is where you operating system, program files, and personal files are stored. Laptop hard drives are either 2.5" (60mm) or 1.8" (46mm) in size and thinner than desktop hard drives. The two most common hard drive interfaces in laptops are IDE/PATA (Integrated Drive Electronics/Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) and SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment). Serial ATA is the replacement for the older Parallel ATA hard drives.

Optical Drive or CD/DVD Drive

Optical drives can be either internal or external and are used to read and/or write CD's, DVD's and Blu-ray discs depending on the specific drive. Optical drives use lasers to read and write data to and from optical discs (CD, DVD, etc...). The lasers for writing data are considerably more powerful than the lasers used to read data because they need to "burn" the data into the disc, which is why they are commonly called burners.

LCD Screen

The LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen uses liquid crystals, sealed between two polarizing filters, to redirect light when they are energized. The light passes through color filters to create the colors used to display the image for you to view.

Inverter Board

The inverter board provides power to the backlight lamp inside your LCD screen, which allows the image on the screen to be bright. The inverter converts DC power, which is supplied by the motherboard, into AC power which is needed by the backlight lamp in the LCD.

LCD Cable

The LCD cable connects the motherboard to the LCD screen, so data can be transfered from the motherboard and video card to the screen. Most LCD cables also connect to and provide high voltage DC power to the inverter board.

Keyboard

A keyboard is a set of keys arranged into rows and used to input text and numbers or give commands to the laptop. Laptops may not have a full keyboard depending on the size of the laptop, they may not have a numeric keypad.

Touchpad

The touchpad on a laptop is an alternative to using a mouse. By sliding your finger along the smooth, flat, touch sensitive surface of the pad, you control the movement of the cursor on the screen. Often, double tapping the touchpad with your finger simulates a click of the button on a mouse. 

AC Adapter

The AC adapter for a laptop connects to a power outlet to both provide electricity for your laptop and to charge your battery. The adapter converts AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current).

Laptop Battery

The laptop battery powers your laptop when it is not plugged into a wall outlet via an AC adapter. Most laptop batteries need to replaced every 3 to 5 years depending on how often you use the laptop with only battery power. The typical length of time that you are able to run your laptop on battery power depends on what tasks you are doing, but it should last around 2 to 5 hours with general use. A laptop will mostly likely have a lithium ion battery in older laptops or a lithium polymer battery in newer laptops.

CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)

The CMOS battery provides power to the CMOS chip when the laptop is not powered on. The CMOS memory stores the date, time, and system setup parameters. Without the CMOS Battery, the CMOS would not be able to continuosly keep track of the date and time while your computer is off. 

Heat Sink & Fan

Fans and heat sinks help in cooling down your laptop to prevent overheating. The heat sink is a device often made of copper or aluminum that sits on top of high heat generating chips such as the CPU and draws the heat away from the chip into the fins of the heat sink. A fan is generally installed on top of the heat sink to dissipate the heat that the heat sink draws from the chip. Fans are also placed on the sides or bottom of the laptop casing to help improve air flow throughout the laptop which also helps prevent overheating.