In what 3 major ways do notebooks and other portable deviced differ from desktop systems?
Notebooks and other portable devices differ from desktop systems in three major ways:
Describe a laptop (or notebook)
A laptop (or notebook) is a portable version of a desktop system. It often has similar hardware and runs similar software
Describe a Tablet PC
A Tablet PC is a notebook that includes a touchscreen to allow input by tapping the screen, dragging objects, or through handwriting recognition. A stylus is a special pen designed to be used by these touchscreens for input. Tablet PCs might run special versions of the operating system to enable touchscreen input
Describe a PDA
A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is a hand-held device, typically with a small touchscreen. A PDA uses special hardware and software that provides basic productivity applications (email, word processing, spreadsheets).
Describe a smart phone
A smart phone is a phone that includes functions of a PDA. As functions are added to smart phones, the line between smart phones and PDAs is disappearing
Describe a netbook
A netbook is a notebook computer with a smaller form factor (10-11 inch screen or smaller) and custom hardware designed to maximize battery life (from 6-11 hours on a single charge). Originally, netbooks used a special operating system that often did not support all of the features of a normal desktop operating system. Increasingly, netbooks can run a regular version of the operating system, although the reduced hardware might still limit their usefulness to email, word processing, and multimedia. Netbooks typically do not have integrated CD/DVD drives
Describe a Processor (laptop component)
Processors built especially for laptop computers have lower power consumption requirements and produce less heat than desktop processors.
Describe memory (laptop component)
Laptop memory uses SODIMM and UniDIMM packages with SDRAM and DDR/DDR2/DDR3/DDR4 memory. These modules are sometimes called MicroDIMMs.
Many notebooks come with a base amount of memory built onto the motherboard and one or two additional slots. When replacing notebook memory, make sure the size of modules you purchase are supported by the system.
Describe keyboard (laptop component)
Notebook keyboards are smaller than standard keyboards. Keys are often a bit smaller and closer together. Keys such as the number pad and some function keys might be left off, but are accessible by pressing a special Fn key to provide alternate functions for regular keys.
You can use a USB port to connect an external keyboard; some laptops include a PS/2 port
Describe pointing devices (laptop component)
Instead of a mouse, notebooks use one (or more) of the following devices:
Touchpads are more common than pointing sticks. Notebooks with a pointing stick often come with a touchpad as well
Describe video (laptop component)
Be aware of the following facts about screens and video cards:
Describe networking (laptop component)
Most notebooks include built-in networking devices such as an Ethernet port, a modem port, wireless, Bluetooth, and/or infrared.
Describe internal hard disks (laptop component)
Internal hard disks are typically 2.5” or 3.5” and very thin compared to desktop hard disks. SATA, solid state drives, and Flash drives are used in portable devices
Describe Port Replicator/Docking Station (laptop component)
A port replicator or docking station attaches to a laptop computer and allows you to connect multiple devices such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, network connection, or additional monitors
Explain the Fn key
The Fn key (short for function) is a keyboard modifier key that allows the keyboard to perform additional functions without needing to add additional keys. The Fn key is typically found on notebooks (because of their compact keyboard design) and on full-sized multimedia keyboards. Keys that have a special function when pressed in conjunction with the Fn key can be identified by a small icon or word, which is typically the same color as the Fn key. For example, the F1 key on a notebook might have a small moon icon in the corner of the key, indicating that the Fn+F1 key combination will put the notebook to sleep
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Airplane mode
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Bluetooth
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Dual displays
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GPS
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Keyboard backlight
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Screen brightness
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Screen orientation
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Touchpad off/on
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Volume