Notebook Computer Components

Many parts for a notebook computer are smaller, lighter, or otherwise adapted from the corresponding part in a desktop computer:

Most modern laptops use an active matrix display with resolutions of 1024 by 768 pixels (XGA) and above, screen sizes 10 inch (250 mm) or larger, and have a PC-Card expansion bay for expansion cards, formerly called PCMCIA. Internal hard disks are smaller—2.5 inch (64 mm) compared to the standard desktop 3.5 inch (90 mm) drive—and usually have lower performance and power consumption. Display adapters and sound cards are integrated. Modern laptops can often handle sophisticated games, but tend to be limited by their fixed screen resolution and display adapter type.

Notebook processor: There are a wide range of notebook processors available from Intel (Pentium M (with Centrino technology), Celeron, Mobile Pentium 4 and Mobile Pentium 4-M) and from AMD (Athlon, Turion 64, and Sempron). Motorola and IBM develop and manufacture the PowerPC chips for Apple notebooks. Generally, notebook processors are less powerful than their desktop counterparts, owing to the need to conserve electricity and reduce heat output. However, the PowerPC G3 and G4 processor generations have been able to offer almost the same performance as their desktop versions, limited mostly by lower performance in other parts of the system bus bandwidth and peripheral units) in Apple's notebooks; recently, though, with the introduction of the G5s, they have been far outstripped. At one point, the Pismo G3, at up to 500MHz, was faster than the fastest desktop G3 (then the B&W G3), which ran at 450MHz.

Operating System: The new Microsoft Windows XP® has improved stability for laptops as well as pcs and its newest features make for a more enjoyable experience when working with digital music, digital photography, and videos. Notebook computer communication is also much easier with the new multimedia messaging and networking functionality.

RAM : Most notebook computers now offer DDR SDRAM memory and it will give you a lot higher bandwidth, which in turn gives you better total system performance. Your experience with the new laptops will be better no matter which applications you are using.

Network Interface Card: Most new laptops include integrated network interface cards. These give you a direct network connection and let you get connected to the latest modems like high speed DSL and cable modems as well. So with these new notebook computer interface cards you won't have to buy or install a separate card.

Battery: Current models use lithium ion batteries, which have largely replaced the older nickel metal-hydride technology. Typical battery life for most laptops is two to five hours with light-duty use, but may drop to as little as one hour with intensive use. Batteries gradually degrade over time and eventually need to be replaced, depending on the charging and discharging pattern, from one to five years.