Chapter 9 - Understanding Laptops

Question 1

the book defines a computer as portable if it weighs less than ____ ____.

9-396

Answer 1

10 pounds

Question 2

what is a netbook computer?

9-397

Answer 2

extremely small laptop computer that is light in weight and more scaled down in features than a standard laptop. essentially its good for hopping on the internet and checking your email and that’s about it

Question 3

give me 5 ways that laptops differ from desktops

9-397,398

Answer 3

portability-laptops are, desktops aren’t
cost- laptops cost more than a desktop that does the same stuff and has the same capabilities
performance - bang for the buck is higher in desktop
expandable - can’t expand laptops
quality of construction - laptop components have to be extremely durable

Question 4

a typical laptop case has 3 parts to it. tell me what they are.

9-399

Answer 4

the display - LCD or LED
case frame - reinforced with metal
the outer case - usually made of plastic

Question 5

what is a daughterboard?

9-400

Answer 5

its a thin circuit board that attaches to the motherboard

Question 6

you are looking at the processor on your laptop’s motherboard. generally speaking, the processor will be attached to the motherboard by one of two ways. tell me what they are.

9-400

Answer 6

directly soldered to the motherboard

attached using the Micro-FCBGA (Flip Chip Ball Grid Array)

Question 7

the Pentium M chipset had 3 components. tell me what they were.

9-401

Answer 7

mobile intel express chipset
intel/pro wireless network connection
intel centrino chipset - the brain

Question 8

tell me the two common types of laptop memory package.

which one is the most common?

9-402

Answer 8

SODIMM and MicroDIMM

the SODIMM (small outline DIMM)

Question 9

you are looking at the hard drive of a laptop. tell me about its form factor

9-402

Answer 9

2.5” form factor, less than 1/2” thick

Question 10

tell me 4 methods for controlling the pointer in addition to the mouse

9-408

Answer 10

trackball
touchpad
point stick
touchscreen

Question 11

what does PCMCIA stand for? why was it created?

9-411

Answer 11

personal computer memory card international association

was organized to provide a standard way of expanding portable computers

Question 12

ExpressCard was launched by PCMCIA for what purpose?

9-412

Answer 12

to support USB 2.0 and PCI Express connectivity for portable computers

Question 13

Mini PCI form factors come in types 1,2,3. tell me about the pins and connector type

9-413

Answer 13

types 1 and 2 are 100 pin and stacking

type 3 is 124 pin and card edge

Question 14

a docking station is an extension of which part of the laptop?

9-415

Answer 14

the motherboard

Question 15

there are different kinds of batteries for laptops.  what is:
NiCd?
Li-ion?
NiMH?
Li-poly?

9-416

Answer 15

nickel cadmium
lithium-ion
nickel-metal hydride
lithium polymer

Question 16

what will a laptop display typically use as its backlight?

9-420

Answer 16

cold cathode fluorescent lamp

Question 17

there are four options for what kind of screen your laptop will have. what are they?

9-421

Answer 17

LCD
LED
OLED
plasma

Question 18

what are the two most common components people usually upgrade in a laptop?

9-427

Answer 18

the hard drive and the memory

Question 19

most memory in laptops will come in one of two packages. tell me what they are.

9-428

Answer 19

SODIMM

MicroDIMM

Question 20

what does FRU stand for?
give me two examples

9-430

Answer 20

field replaceable unit

wireless network cards
video cards

Question 21

why are inverters dangerous?

9-431

Answer 21

because they can store and discharge energy which can cause serious injury to you

Question 22

what’s the first two things you need to make sure of when you’re going to remove a laptop’s keyboard?

9-432

Answer 22

turn off the computer

remove all power sources

Question 23

how can you broadly classify the two types of peripherals?

9-437

Answer 23

internal

external

Question 24

when would you consider replacing the CMOS battery?

9-435

Answer 24

when the BIOS isn’t retaining system info like the data, time, or boot sequence

Question 25

if you’re going to flash the system BIOS, what do you need to get?

9-436

Answer 25

a copy of the BIOS update on CD from the manufacturer