CompTIA 220-1201 Core 1 A+ Course Notes

1.1 - Laptop Hardware

Laptop hardware

• Engineered to precise specifications – A challenging repair • Some laptops are easier to fix than others – An ongoing learning process • Understand the process – The details will vary between laptop manufacturers

Laptop batteries

• The power source when unplugged – May be easily replaced or require a tear down – Five minutes vs. one hour • Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) and Lithium-Ion polymer (LiPo) are common – No “memory effect” – Charging the battery does not diminish capacity • Different form factor for each laptop – Battery types and styles can vary – Battery technology is changing constantly

Laptop keyboard

• The most-used component of the laptop – Can be easy to replace – A few screws and a single ribbon cable – May not always be this simple • Or connect an external USB keyboard – Not very portable, but works in a pinch

Laptop keys

• Some repairs might require the removal or replacement of a key cap – This can be a delicate procedure • Check with the manufacturer’s instructions – It’s very easy to accidentally break the key cap or the components underneath

Laptop memory

• Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module (SO-DIMM) • Memory used in laptops and mobile devices – Often easy to install and replace • Some laptop memory is soldered to the system board – No upgrade available – Requires a full system board replacement

Laptop storage

Magnetic disk – Traditional spinning drive platters – 2.5 form factors (3.5 inch for desktops) • SSD (Solid-state drive) – All memory, no moving parts – Silent, fast access time, less latency – 2.5 inch form factors • M.2 – Smaller form factor – No SATA data or power cables – Easy to install and replace

Replacing laptop storage

• All internal – Open a cover on the back – Open the entire laptop • Can be very modular – Two screws and the drive slides out • M.2 drives are even easier – One screw - similar to RAM installation

Migrating from HDD to SSD

• An impressive upgrade – Move from spinning mechanical drive to solid state memory – It’s almost like getting a new laptop • Install an OS on the SSD – Move user documents between drives – Install any required applications – Can be time consuming • Image/clone the HDD – No OS installation required – Move everything from one to the other • Imaging software needed – Sometimes included with the SSD – Many commercial and open source options • Create an image file – One drive at a time • Drive-to-drive image – Image directly from one drive to the other