Getting To Know Your Laptop Computers Parts
A laptop is not really much different from a desktop in terms of the core components. The most striking difference is that the laptop has "miniaturized" the desktop's parts and then tightly packed them into a package that can easily be carried around. This makes the laptop very convenient for people who are on the go.
Here is a quick breakdown of the major components of laptop computers.
MOTHERBOARD
This is one of the most expensive parts of a laptop, and easily its largest internal component. It is also referred to as the system board or logic board. The motherboard is where all the internal components are connected to, and serves as the primary circuit board for all the laptop's functions.
MEMORY OR RAM
The amount of memory or RAM installed on your laptop has a major bearing on performance. Quite simply, the more memory is installed, the more efficiently your laptop can perform multiple operations at the same time. It is widely known as "volatile" memory because information stored by the RAM is lost once the laptop has been shut down.
HARD DRIVE (HDD)
The hard drive is your laptop's main storage device. It is where all programs and files are stored. You can lose all of your information if your hard drive crashes, which is why owning an external hard drive to back up your files is always a good idea just in case. Hard drive memory is usually known as "non-volatile" memory because information stored is retained by the hard drive even after the laptop has been turned off. Data in the hard drive can only be erased if it's written over or deleted by the user.
PROCESSOR
The processor (or CPU) is the brain of the computer. It is the primary component that processes all information and executes the computers commands. The CPU can overheat because of its many functions, making it necessary for any computer to have a heat sink and a cooling fan plugged on its motherboard.
KEYBOARD
The keyboard is the main input device of your laptop. It is used to enter commands on the computer, or to put it simply, used as the device with which the user talks to the computer.
OTHER MAIN COMPONENTS
The remaining major parts of a laptop are the CD/DVD optical drive, the LCD monitor, the video card, the audio board, and the wireless network card. The CD/DVD optical drive allows you to read and write data to and from a CD or DVD. The LCD monitor is the primary display of the laptop. The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphics information to the LCD monitor. The audio board produces the sound that is emitted through the laptop's speakers. Finally, the network card allows the laptop to communicate on a network, either with a wired or wireless connection.