Portable ComputingPortable Computing

Notebook ComputersNotebook Computers

Notebook Computers Notebook Computers ((continuedcontinued))

Same technology as PCs, with Same technology as PCs, with modifications for space, portability, and modifications for space, portability, and power conservationpower conservation

– Thin LCD panels (active matrix and passive Thin LCD panels (active matrix and passive matrix)matrix)

– Compact hard drivesCompact hard drives

– Small memory modulesSmall memory modules

– CPUs that require less powerCPUs that require less power

Notebooks versus PCsNotebooks versus PCs

NotebooksNotebooks PCsPCsUsually purchased Usually purchased

as a whole unit; as a whole unit; unlikely to upgrade unlikely to upgrade hardware and OShardware and OS

Design is typically Design is typically proprietaryproprietary

Some universal Some universal support issues, but support issues, but procedures vary procedures vary between brandsbetween brands

Highly modularHighly modularComponents can be Components can be

interchanged, interchanged, upgraded, and upgraded, and enhancedenhanced

Cost less than Cost less than notebooksnotebooks

Windows Notebook Windows Notebook FeaturesFeatures

Multilink Channel AggregationMultilink Channel Aggregation ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power

Interface)Interface) Power managementPower management Support for PC CardsSupport for PC Cards Windows 9x BriefcaseWindows 9x Briefcase Windows 2000/XP Offline Files and FoldersWindows 2000/XP Offline Files and Folders Folder redirection under Windows 2000/XPFolder redirection under Windows 2000/XP Hardware profiles under Windows 2000/XPHardware profiles under Windows 2000/XP

Power ManagementPower Management

Power sourcesPower sources– BatteryBattery– DC adapterDC adapter– AC adapterAC adapter

Types of batteriesTypes of batteries– Lithium ionLithium ion– NiMHNiMH– Fuel cellFuel cell

Power Management Power Management ((continuedcontinued))

Power ManagementPower Management

Power Management Power Management ((continuedcontinued))

Power Management Power Management ((continuedcontinued))

Power Management Power Management ((continuedcontinued))

Connecting Peripheral Connecting Peripheral Devices to NotebooksDevices to Notebooks Ports on the notebookPorts on the notebook

PC Card slot with lock PC Card slot with lock switch and eject switch and eject buttonbutton

Headphone jackHeadphone jack

Microphone jackMicrophone jack

Infrared portInfrared port

Secure Digital (SD) Secure Digital (SD) card slotcard slot

CompactFlash Card CompactFlash Card slotslot

Wireless antenna Wireless antenna on/off switchon/off switch

Serial portSerial port

Ports on a NotebookPorts on a Notebook

Connecting Peripheral Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks Devices to Notebooks ((continuedcontinued))

Connecting Peripheral Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks Devices to Notebooks ((continuedcontinued))

Connecting Peripheral Connecting Peripheral Devices to Notebooks Devices to Notebooks ((continuedcontinued))

PC Card SlotsPC Card Slots

PC Card Slots (PC Card Slots (continuedcontinued))

Used by many devicesUsed by many devices

Connect to the 16-bit PCMCIA I/O bus on Connect to the 16-bit PCMCIA I/O bus on notebook motherboardnotebook motherboard

Might contain a data cable to an Might contain a data cable to an external drive, or might be self-external drive, or might be self-containedcontained

Can interface with a networkCan interface with a network

PC Card Slot StandardsPC Card Slot Standards

CardBus (latest spec)CardBus (latest spec)

– Improves I/O speedImproves I/O speed

– Increases bus width to 32 bitsIncreases bus width to 32 bits

– Supports lower-voltage PC Cards while Supports lower-voltage PC Cards while maintaining backward compatibilitymaintaining backward compatibility

Three other types (Type I, Type II, Three other types (Type I, Type II, Type III), which vary in thicknessType III), which vary in thickness

PCMCIA / PC CardsPCMCIA / PC Cards

Short for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, and pronounced as separate letters, PCMCIA is an organization consisting of some 500 companies that has developed a standard for small, credit card-sized devices, called PC Cards

Originally designed for adding memory to portable computers, the PCMCIA standard has been expanded several times and is now suitable for many types of devices

PCMCIA / PC Cards – PCMCIA / PC Cards – (Continued)(Continued)

There are in fact three types of PCMCIA cards. All three have the same rectangular size (85.6 by 54 millimeters), but different widths:

Type I cards can be up to 3.3 mm thick, and are used primarily for adding additional ROM or RAM to a computer

Type II cards can be up to 5.5 mm thick. These cards are often used for modem and fax modem cards

Type III cards can be up to 10.5 mm thick, which is sufficiently large for portable disk drives

PCMCIA / PC Cards – PCMCIA / PC Cards – (Continued)(Continued)

As with the cards, PCMCIA slots also come in three sizes:

A Type I slot can hold one Type I card

A Type II slot can hold one Type II card or one Type I card

A Type III slot can hold one Type III card or any combination of two Type I or II cards

In general, you can exchange PC Cards on the fly (hot swappable), without rebooting your computer. For example, you can slip in a fax modem card when you want to send a fax and then, when you're done, replace the fax modem card with a memory card

PC CardsPC Cards

PC Cards (PC Cards (continuedcontinued))

Using a PC Card to Using a PC Card to Interface with a Interface with a NetworkNetwork

Using PC Card Slots Using PC Card Slots and Other Slotsand Other Slots OS must provide two (2) servicesOS must provide two (2) services

– Socket serviceSocket service Establishes communication between card and Establishes communication between card and

notebook when the card is first insertednotebook when the card is first inserted Disconnects communication when card is Disconnects communication when card is

removedremoved

– Card serviceCard service Provides device driver to interface with the card Provides device driver to interface with the card

once socket is createdonce socket is created

Can be hot-swappedCan be hot-swapped

Hot-SwappingHot-Swapping

Types of Memory Used Types of Memory Used by Notebooksby Notebooks

Upgrading MemoryUpgrading Memory

Upgrading Memory Upgrading Memory ((continuedcontinued))

Upgrading Memory Upgrading Memory ((continuedcontinued))

Other FRUs for Other FRUs for NotebooksNotebooks Hard drive Hard drive

LCD panelLCD panel

MotherboardMotherboard

CPUCPU

KeyboardKeyboard

PC Card socket PC Card socket assemblyassembly

Optical driveOptical drive

Floppy driveFloppy drive

Sound cardSound card

Pointing devicePointing device

AC adapterAC adapter

Battery packBattery pack

DC controllerDC controller

FRU – Field Reserve UnitsFRU – Field Reserve Units

Hard Drive ComparisonHard Drive Comparison

Replacing a Hard DriveReplacing a Hard Drive

Installing a Mini-PCI Installing a Mini-PCI CardCard

Resources for Resources for Troubleshooting Troubleshooting NotebooksNotebooks Apply same troubleshooting guidelines as Apply same troubleshooting guidelines as

for desktop PCs for desktop PCs Be especially conscious of warranty issuesBe especially conscious of warranty issues Loaded OS and hardware configuration are Loaded OS and hardware configuration are

specific; see documentation for details specific; see documentation for details Support CDs bundled with notebook include Support CDs bundled with notebook include

device drivers for all embedded devicesdevice drivers for all embedded devices Download additional or updated drivers Download additional or updated drivers

from manufacturer’s Web sitefrom manufacturer’s Web site

Tablet PCsTablet PCs

Type of notebook computer that Type of notebook computer that is smaller, more graphical, more is smaller, more graphical, more user friendly, and more portableuser friendly, and more portable

Has a touch screenHas a touch screen

Cost about the same as Cost about the same as notebooksnotebooks

A Tablet PCA Tablet PC

Three Tablet Form Three Tablet Form FactorsFactors Convertible tablet PCConvertible tablet PC

Slate model tablet PCSlate model tablet PC

Tablet PC with a docking stationTablet PC with a docking station

Convertible Tablet PCConvertible Tablet PC

Features of a Tablet Features of a Tablet PCPC

Functioning Windows XP computer with Functioning Windows XP computer with the power of a full-sized notebookthe power of a full-sized notebook

Input can be by handwriting, voice, Input can be by handwriting, voice, hardware keyboard, or on-screen keyboardhardware keyboard, or on-screen keyboard

Built-in support for wireless, wired, and Built-in support for wireless, wired, and dial-up networkingdial-up networking

AC power adapter and rechargeable AC power adapter and rechargeable batterybattery

Windows XP Tablet PC EditionWindows XP Tablet PC Edition PC Card, USB ports, and VGA port for PC Card, USB ports, and VGA port for

peripheral devicesperipheral devices

Writing on a Tablet PCWriting on a Tablet PC

PDAs (Personal Digital PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance)Assistance) Provide more portability than a notebook or Provide more portability than a notebook or

tablet PCtablet PC Include a stylusInclude a stylus Powered using an AC adapter or batteryPowered using an AC adapter or battery Use either a grayscale or color active matrix Use either a grayscale or color active matrix

or dual-scan passive matrix displayor dual-scan passive matrix display Can interface with a desktop or notebook Can interface with a desktop or notebook

computer to transfer files and applicationscomputer to transfer files and applications Synchronize with PCs through a USB, serial, or Synchronize with PCs through a USB, serial, or

wireless portwireless port

A PDAA PDA

Optional PDA Optional PDA AccessoriesAccessories

Considerations When Considerations When Purchasing a PDAPurchasing a PDA

Applications that are included or can be Applications that are included or can be added lateradded later

Ease of use; thoroughness of Ease of use; thoroughness of documentationdocumentation

Ease of synchronizationEase of synchronization

Availability of manufacturer supportAvailability of manufacturer support

Type of batteries and anticipated battery Type of batteries and anticipated battery lifelife

Considerations When Considerations When Purchasing a PDA Purchasing a PDA ((continuedcontinued)) Ability to use e-mail and the Web Ability to use e-mail and the Web

without needing extra hardware or without needing extra hardware or softwaresoftware

Availability of additional devicesAvailability of additional devices

Ease of use of OSEase of use of OS

Warranty and priceWarranty and price

Battery Life on a PDABattery Life on a PDA

Varies by modelVaries by model

Short battery life is the largest Short battery life is the largest complaint;complaint;

– Risk of losing data and applications if Risk of losing data and applications if battery runs all the way downbattery runs all the way down

Use cradle and adapterUse cradle and adapter

Variety of Ways Variety of Ways Applications Are Applications Are Provided on a PDAProvided on a PDA

All application software preinstalledAll application software preinstalled Require user to download applications at Require user to download applications at

additional costadditional cost Support only preinstalled applications and Support only preinstalled applications and

cannot download otherscannot download others Allow downloading email or Web site Allow downloading email or Web site

contentcontent Access Internet directly by way of a Access Internet directly by way of a

modem or wireless connectionmodem or wireless connection

Connecting a PDA to a Connecting a PDA to a PCPC

SynchronizationSynchronization

– Process by which PDA and PC “talk” to Process by which PDA and PC “talk” to each other through universal cradle, each other through universal cradle, cable, and USB or serial connection – and cable, and USB or serial connection – and occasionally, wireless technologyoccasionally, wireless technology

– CapabilitiesCapabilities

Backup information from PDA to PCBackup information from PDA to PC

Work with PDA files on PC and download Work with PDA files on PC and download applications from Webapplications from Web

PDA Manufacturers PDA Manufacturers and Operating and Operating SystemsSystems Windows Mobile by MicrosoftWindows Mobile by Microsoft

– More versatileMore versatile

– Better for downloading and running Better for downloading and running applications similar to Windowsapplications similar to Windows

PDA Manufacturers PDA Manufacturers and Operating and Operating Systems (Systems (continuedcontinued)) Palm OS by PalmSourcePalm OS by PalmSource

– Less complexLess complex

– Easier to useEasier to use

– Better choice when PDA is used for simple Better choice when PDA is used for simple taskstasks

Principal difference between the two Principal difference between the two OSs is in the applications they supportOSs is in the applications they support

Troubleshooting Portable Computers Laptop Won’t Power On

– Verify AC power by plugging another electronic device into the wall outlet. If the other device receives power, the outlet is good

– If the outlet is good, connect the laptop to the wall outlet and try to power on. If no LEDs light up, you may have a bad AC adapter. Swap it out with a known-good power adapter

– A faulty peripheral device might keep the laptop from powering up. Remove any peripherals such as USB or Firewire devices

Screen Doesn’t Come On Properly– If the laptop is booting (you hear the beeps and the drives), first

make sure the display is on. Press the FN key and the key to activate the screen a number of times until the laptop display comes on

– If the laptop display is very dim, you may have lost an inverter. The clue here is that inverters never go quietly. They can make a nasty hum as they are about to die and an equally nasty popping noise when they actually fail. Failure often occurs when you plug in the laptop’s AC adapter, as the inverters take power directly from the AC adapter

Troubleshooting Portable Computers Wireless Networking Doesn’t Work

– Check for a physical switch along the front, rear, or side edges of the laptop that toggles the internal wireless adapter on and off

– Try the special key combination for your laptop to toggle the wireless adapter.You usually press the FN key in combination with another key

– You might simply be out of range. Physically walk the laptop over to the wireless router or access point to ensure there are no “out of range” issues

Handwriting Is Not Recognized– If your PDA or tablet PC no longer recognizes your handwriting or

stylus, you may need to retrain the digitizer. Look for an option in your PDA OS settings to “align the screen.” On Windows tablet PCs, you will find a similar option under Start | Settings | Control Panel

Troubleshooting Portable Computers Keypad Doesn’t Work

– If none of the keys work on your laptop, there’s a good chance you’ve unseated the keypad connector. These connectors are quite fragile and are prone to unseating from any physical stress on the laptop. Check the manufacturer’s disassembly procedures to locate and reseat the keypad

– If you’re getting numbers when you’re expecting to get letters, the number lock (NUMLOCK) function key is turned on. Turn it off

Touchpad Doesn’t Work– A shot of compressed air does wonders for cleaning pet hair out

of the touchpad sensors. You’ll get a cleaner shot if you remove the keyboard before using the compressed air. Remember to be gentle when lifting off the keyboard and make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

– The touchpad driver might need to be reconfigured. Try the various options in the Control Panel | Mouse applet