Professor Messer’s

CompTIA A+
220-1001 Course Notes http://www.ProfessorMesser.com
1.1 - Laptop Hardware
Laptop Storage Screen
• SSD (Solid-state drive) • LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
• All memory, no moving parts • Light and high-resolution
• Silent, fast access time, less latency • Very, very fragile - Get a good case!
• 2.5 inch and 1.8 inch form factors • Resolutions are fixed
• Hybrid drive (SSHD) • Changes to native resolution may look
• Solid-state hybrid drive blurry or not as crisp
• Flash memory and hard drive storage Laptop power – AC adapters
• SSD caches the hard drive data • Auto-switching or fixed input
• Magnetic disk • Converts AC to DC
• Traditional spinning drive platters • Input voltage - 110 volts / 220 volts
Replacing Laptop Storage • DC jack on the laptop
• Can be very modular • Specific to the power supply type
• Two screws and the drive slides out Laptop power - batteries
• All internal • Lithium Ion (Li-ion)
• Open a cover on the back • Common in consumer electronics
• Open the entire laptop • No “memory effect”
Laptop memory • Charging the battery diminishes capacity
• SO-DIMM Laptop frame
• Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module • Plastic
• Micro-DIMM • Lightweight, mobile
• Micro-Dual In-line Memory Module • Durable, difficult to break
• Memory used in laptops and mobile devices • Inexpensive, cost-effective
Smart card reader • Metal
• Integrated card reader • More durable than plastic
• Built into the laptop • Can be more difficult to repair
• External reader Speaker
• USB connected • Self-contained - Portable audio
Optical drive • Not the highest quality - Very small
• Too large for today’s portable devices • Often stereo (L/R) - May include a subwoofer!
• Becoming difficult to find System board
• Often removable • Proprietary
• Replace with other media • Built to fit
• Read and write CD-RW/CD-ROM and DVD-RW/DVD- • Replacement isn’t easy
ROM • Swap the entire board
• In a portable device • Most components are on the system board
Video Cards CPU
• Often built into the processor • Designed for mobility
• Not upgradable • Power management
• Sometimes part of the system board • Integrated features
• Again, not upgradable • Memory controller, video controller
• Some laptops have upgradable video cards • Not very upgradable
• Not the slimline models • Replaceable, but not upgradeable
• Often slower than desktops
• Size and heat are disadvantages

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© 2018 Messer Studios, LLC Professor Messer’s CompTIA 220-1002 A+ Course Notes - Page 1 http://www.ProfessorMesser.com
 1.2 - Laptop Displays
Portable LCD Microphone
• Liquid crystal display - Light shines though liquid crystals • Built-in to the laptop
• Advantages • Useful for video calls
• Lightweight • Not good for non-casual use
• Relatively low power and relatively inexpensive • Analog or USB microphones can help
• Disadvantages Backlight and inverter
• Black levels are a challenge • LCD displays need a backlight
• Requires separate backlight • Florescent lamp to LCD display to your eyes
• Florescent, LED, etc. / Difficult to replace • Some laptops have inverters
OLED on laptops • Convert DC into AC
• Organic Light Emitting Diode • Verify backlight
• Organic compound emits light when • Look closely
receiving an electric current • May need to replace the LCD inverter or display
• Thinner and lighter • Choose carefully
• Flexible and mobile - no glass needed Digitizer
• No backlight - The organic compound provides the light • Use a pen-like device as input
• Not quite ready for laptops • Useful for graphical input
• Organic materials degrade over time • Becoming more common on laptop / tablets
• Decayed images can remain on the screen • Or hybrid devices
• More costly and power hungry than LCD Touchscreen
Wi-Fi antennas • Merge laptop and tablet input
• Multiple antennas - WiFi main and aux and Bluetooth • No keyboard required
• Antenna wires wrap around the laptop screen • But often still available
Laptop webcam • Many options for input
• Video capture - Built-in camera and microphone • Use the best one for the job
• Usually includes both audio and video
• Specialized drivers and software
1.3 - Laptop Features
Dual displays Screen brightness
• Toggle Fn keys • Control the backlight
• Secondary functions • Secondary function keys
• Toggle between LCD / external monitor / both • More light, more power
• LCD switch • Conserve your battery
• The “refrigerator door” effect Keyboard backlight
• Physical switch on older systems • An option on many laptops
• Internal magnetic switch on newer portable systems • See in the dark
• Set functionality in the BIOS or utility • Secondary function control
Wireless control • Intensity
• Control your wireless signal • Duration
• Airplane mode, secure areas • Disable
• Look for a status light Touch pad
• Physical switch • Enable and disable
• Function key • Avoid inadvertent
• May include 802.11, Bluetooth, and cellular mouse clicks and movements
• Look for the symbol or status light Screen orientation
Volume settings • Rotate the screen
• Another function key • Useful on rotating tablet / laptops
• May be a standalone key • Landscape to portrait
• Often includes a mute option • Fn key or hotkey
• Physical dial or button • Different across manufacturers
• May see visual feedback
© 2018 Messer Studios, LLC Professor Messer’s CompTIA 220-1002 A+ Course Notes - Page 2 http://www.ProfessorMesser.com