Muir/TYV Laptops

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1 chapter

Introducingthe Laptop

Portable computers,referred to as notebooksor laptops, began as agreat tool for peoplewho travel and want totake their computeralong. Today, laptopswith high-end displaysand huge processingpower are taking overthe desktop, as well.

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Explore a Laptop ..................................................4

How a Laptop Differs from a Desktop ............6

Types of Laptops ..................................................8

Discover Slots and Ports ..................................12

Understanding Hard Drives..............................14

Using Data Storage ............................................18

Understanding Power Options ........................20

Understanding Microprocessors ....................21

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Explore aLaptop

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MonitorThe monitor on a laptop is typicallymade of a soft-to-the-touch (andsomewhat fragile) liquid crystaldisplay.

Although laptop models vary by weight, size, keyboard configuration,and more, they share some common traits in a compact package.

Touchpad MouseA built-in mouse will either be atouchpad, as shown here, or a buttonplaced among the keys. You can moveyour finger over the pad to move themouse cursor on your screen.

KeyboardKeyboard configurations vary based onthe size of the laptop, with larger laptopshaving a separate number pad, andsmaller ones embedding a number-padfunctionality within the regular keys.

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Introducing the Laptop chapter1

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Function KeysMost laptops have pre-assigned functions for theseaptly named function keys. Typicaluses are for muting the speakersor accessing the Internet.

DVD DriveMost newer laptops includea DVD drive, although some stilluse a CD drive. The location ofthese drives varies by model.

BatteryA battery usually slots into thebottom of a laptop and needs tobe recharged on a regular basis.

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How a Laptop Differsfrom a Desktop

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In many important ways, a laptop computer and desktop are the same. They areboth used for the same functions: Both can be connected to devices such as printers;both contain a hard drive and operating system; and both run hardware and storefiles. However, there are some interesting differences.

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SizeLaptops are built for portability, whilethe average desktop computerincludes a large central processingunit (CPU) tower and monitor.

Input DevicesLaptops have a built-in keyboard and mouse.Desktops use a plug-in or wireless keyboard andmouse. However, you can also plug a standardkeyboard or mouse into your laptop if you wish.

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Power SourceLaptops use a battery that is chargedby plugging the laptop into anelectrical outlet. Desktops only runthrough an electrical outlet.

MonitorIf your desktop monitor wears out,you can replace it. This is not the casewith a laptop, where the monitor isattached to the CPU.

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Different manufacturers build a widevariety of laptops with a large rangeof prices and features.

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Types ofLaptops

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Windows-based PCsLaptops with the Microsoft Windows operatingsystem installed are referred to as PCs, which standsfor personal computers. They are made by a varietyof manufacturers. You can buy the Windowsoperating system separately.

MacintoshCurrent laptops from Apple are the MacBook(the lower-priced line) and the MacBook Pro. Theselaptops are only built for Apple, and have a uniqueoperating system. Both the computers and operatingsystem are only available from Apple through itsWeb site or through Apple reseller stores.

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Tablet PCsTablet PCs are Windows-based machines with adifferent hardware configuration. They come ina tablet configuration that is similar to a machineversion of a legal pad, and a clamshell varietythat looks more like a traditional laptop, but thatconverts into a tablet by swinging the monitor onhinges. You can input data by writing directly onTablet PC screens using a stylus.

Rugged LaptopsSome laptops are marketed for the durabilityof their chassis. Useful for people who work inindustries such as construction or archeology,these models are both more water- and shock-proof than their non-rugged counterparts.Their keyboards are sealed to prevent waterdamage, they can withstand more variation intemperature, and they can function nearelectromagnetic transmissions, such as frompower generators, without being damaged.


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Types of Laptops(continued)

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DesktopToday laptops are taking over the desktop, withmodels that use 17- or even 20-inch monitors and fullkeyboards with number pads. With wireless Internetconnections and a built-in keyboard and mouse, theytend to reduce the clutter of cables that come withstandard desktop models.

Ultra PortableSome laptops are designed for travel, weighing inat between two and three pounds. They offer asmaller display and keyboard size, but have theadvantage of a longer battery life.

2.5 lbs.

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HandheldsSome very small laptops, referred to as handhelds,are showing up in the market, such as the Sony VaioUX Micro PC. This Windows Vista-based machine hasa 4.5-inch screen, weighs 1.2 pounds, and can get upto 4.5 hours of battery life. If you do not need to typelong documents on the tiny keyboard, the small sizemay work well in your travels.

Multimedia and GamingLaptops that can handle graphics and animationsthat appear in many computer games tend tohave powerful graphics cards, large screens withhigh resolution, a lot of memory, and fastprocessors. These come with a high price tag,but for a dedicated gamer or multimediadesigner, they may be worth it.

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Discover Slotsand Ports

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Headphone JackIf you want to useheadphones to listento music from yourcomputer, you plugthem into this jack.

PC Card SlotA PC or PCMCIA (Personal ComputerMemory Card International Association)is another kind of slot that you may findon your laptop. It is used for connectingsome kinds of peripheral devices.

USB PortsA port is a connection that is used to transfer data from and to your computer. A universal serial bus (USB) port can be used toconnect a wide variety of devices, from aflash drive for data storage to a printer or digital camera.

IEEE 1394 PortSome laptops includethis type of port, which ismost often used to connectto digital devices, such as adigital camera or camcorder.

The arrangement of various slots and ports around your laptop may vary,but most are on the sides or back of the chassis. Besides the power cordconnector, you will find the following slots and ports on most laptops.

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Modem JackIf you use a phone to dial upyour Internet connection, youcan plug a phone cable intothis jack to pick up a signal.

Ethernet JackAn Ethernet jack is used to connect your computer toa router that controls your local area network (LAN)through a coaxial or fiber-optic cable. You also use anEthernet connection for a high-speed connection tothe Internet such as a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL);you plug the cable into your laptop, and then connectthe other end to a cable modem that is in turnconnected to your phone line.

Monitor PortIf you want to connect anexternal monitor to yourlaptop, for example, to showa presentation on a largerscreen, you can connect astandard monitor cable intothe monitor port.

Memory Card ReaderA memory card can be added to your laptopto increase your RAM storage or even replaceyour hard drive. These cards are small and areeasy to install in a slot in your laptop, but canoffer a lot of storage capacity.

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Your computer can have severaldrives. All but the hard drive areremovable or external. You canconfigure your hard drive tostore data in the most efficientway for you.

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UnderstandingHard Drives

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How Data Is StoredA hard drive uses magnetic recording to store yourdata, much like a cassette tape does. You can writedata to a hard drive or erase it, although themagnetic pattern of data may stay on the drive longafter you have erased it. Data is stored on the harddrive in files as a series of bytes.

Hard DrivesThe hard drive (also called hard disk) is a hardplatter in your laptop chassis. It is called a harddrive to distinguish it from softer floppy disks thatwere used to store data on a thin film. To storemore data, many computers use hard drives withmultiple disks.

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Sectors and TracksWhen you store data in the form of files on yourhard drive, it is saved in sectors within a series oftracks. Each sector contains a certain number ofbytes, such as 256 or 512. When you format a disk,you are essentially creating the track and sectorstructure along with a file allocation table that isused for retrieving the data.

Read/Write HeadsIn addition to the hard platter forming the harddrive, your laptop contains an ‘arm’ that holdsread/write heads. When the hard drive spins, theheads move over the platter to locate the bytesthat make up your file.

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Understanding HardDrives (continued)

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PartitionsYou can create partitions on a hard drive thatessentially break it up into two or more harddrives. You may do this to run different operatingsystems on the same computer. You may alsopartition your data from your operating system sothat if your operating system is damaged, yourdata remains safe. M

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How Data Is RetrievedWhenever you access data, whether by opening apiece of software or opening a file, the read/writeheads move across the hard disk, looking for therequired bytes, which may be located in varioussectors of the drive.

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Introducing the Laptop chapter1RAMComputer memory that takes the form of amemory cell is referred to as random accessmemory (RAM). When your computer retrievesdata from the hard drive, it picks up bytes thatare stored non-sequentially (in different sectors)on the disk—hence the term random access.RAM comes in various types that worksomewhat differently, such as dynamic randomaccess memory (DRAM) or double data ratetwo (DDR2) synchronous DRAM.

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Hard Drive CapacityHard drives today have a certain capacity for storingdata, measured in gigabytes (GB). In recent years,hard drives have grown to 160GB or more in size,with the most recent models packing as much as500GB, although you can find laptops with as lowas 20GB or 40GB capacity. The more you need tostore and the more programs you need to run, thelarger-capacity hard drive you should get.

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There are several types of mediaavailable for you to store copiesof your data. You may do this tomove the data to anothercomputer, to give it to anotherperson, or to keep a copy in caseyour hard drive is damaged.

Using DataStorage

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CDsCDs are hard plastic disks that are used to store data,music, or images. To read from or write to a CD, yourlaptop has to have a CD drive with the appropriateformat (read, write, or read/write). Most laptops onlyhave room for either a CD or a DVD drive, but notboth. You can buy an external CD or DVD drive thatyou can connect to your laptop through a USB port.

Back Up DataIt is always a good practice to back up the data onyour laptop. This provides you with a copy that isvery useful if your hard drive is damaged, crashes, oris attacked by a computer virus. Remember thateventually, all hard drives will wear out; backing updata is insurance against that day.

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Data(backup CD)Data(backup CD)

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Introducing the Laptop chapter1DVDsDVDs are similar to CDs, but they have seventimes the storage capacity of the average CD. Inaddition, video stored on DVD has a betterpicture quality. There have been several types ofDVD format, and your laptop must have thecorresponding DVD drive to run each type. Theformats include +, -, and +/-. DVDs also comeas readable, writeable, or read/write.

Flash DrivesA flash drive, also referred to as a USB stick or pendrive, is the size of a pack of gum, but can hold ahuge amount of data. Flash memory is a type ofsolid-state chip that is also used in equipment suchas digital cameras. You plug a flash drive into aUSB port on your laptop, and so no special driveris required.

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UnderstandingPower Options

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Laptops have to carry their power supply with them when you take themon the road. They do this in the form of batteries. Laptop batteries comein various types. The time you can run your laptop on a charged batteryis called the battery life, and this varies from laptop to laptop.

BatteriesBatteries provide a certain number of hours of batterylife. The average laptop battery offers anywhere fromtwo hours to four hours of battery life. The life of abattery is affected by whether the laptop is beingused or is on standby, and by the size of the laptopdisplay, with larger displays draining power morequickly than smaller ones.

Types of BatteriesThere have been several types of laptop batteries,with the most recent type being lithium ion (Li-ion).Li-ion batteries hold a charge longer than earlier typessuch as nickel cadmium (NiCad) or nickel-metalhydride (NiMH).

Charging a BatteryYou will need to charge your laptop battery on aregular basis. You do this by plugging the power cordof your computer into an electrical outlet. It is a goodidea to let your battery drain almost completelybefore recharging it, as some older types of batterieswill not work as efficiently over time if you do notfollow this procedure.

Run on AC PowerIf you are using your laptop at your home oroffice rather than on the road, you can plug it intoan electrical outlet and run off of electricity all thetime. However, laptops that are used for morethan a few hours can become warm, and so youmay want to invest in a laptop pad that helpsto disperse heat.

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UnderstandingMicroprocessors chapter1Introducing the Laptop

What a Microprocessor DoesA microprocessor includes logic circuitry that isused for performing calculations, as well as memorywhere data required for running your computer canbe stored.

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Microprocessor DesignMicroprocessors come in the form of a computerchip. Built on a silicon wafer base, computer chipsinclude an integrated circuit that is composed ofmillions of transistors.

Types of MicroprocessorsMicroprocessors are built by several differentcompanies, including Intel, IBM, and AMD. Today’smost advanced microprocessors, called dual core,are actually two microprocessors on a single chip.

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Microprocessor Clock SpeedYou will often see a rating, expressed in gigahertz, forhow fast the processor in your laptop runs. The fasterthe processor, the faster your computer operationsare completed.

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The microprocessor, or simply processor, thatis inside your laptop enables the computer torun calculations and process data.

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Muir/TYV Laptops

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