1.1 – Laptop Hardware

The main trade-off for the compact size of laptops is

difficulty in troubleshooting and dealing with small components.

Laptop designs are built to

precise specifications.

Some laptop manufacturers engineer their devices for easy access, while others make it very difficult to

gain access to internal components.

A key difference in laptop design between manufacturers is how they handle

batteries.

A modular battery can be

easily removed and replaced by the end-user.

An integrated battery is

built into the system and not designed to be swapped out by the user.

The two main types of batteries used in modern laptops are

lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer.

A major advantage of Li-ion and LiPo batteries is that they do not have the

traditional memory effect.

Laptop battery form factors are

specific to the make and model of the laptop.

The keyboard is often swapped out more than other components because it is

one of the most used components.

A laptop keyboard often connects to the system board using a

ribbon cable.

To troubleshoot a potentially faulty laptop keyboard, you can plug in an

external USB keyboard.

Special keys on a laptop, like the Fn key, are used to perform

secondary functions.

Replacing a single keycap on a laptop is difficult because the keys are often very

fragile.

The memory form factor used in laptops is called

SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module).

On some laptops, memory is not modular but is instead

soldered to the motherboard.

To upgrade soldered memory, you must

replace the entire system board.

SODIMM modules are locked in place on the motherboard by

clips.

Older laptops often used what size of spinning hard drive?

2.5-inch.

Modern laptops have rapidly moved away from spinning drives to

SSD (solid-state drive).

An SSD has no

moving parts.

The newer, smaller SSD interface found in modern laptops is called

M.2.

An M.2 drive installation is easier because it does not require separate

data and power connections.

Upgrading from an HDD to an SSD feels like getting a brand new laptop because an SSD is

much faster and more reliable.

The process of copying an exact duplicate of one drive to another is done with

imaging or cloning software.

Many SSD manufacturers include what with their products to aid in upgrades?

Imaging software.

Modern laptops often use what for network connectivity instead of a wired connection?

A wireless connection (e.g., 802.11 or Bluetooth).

Modular wireless cards in older laptops often use what interface types?

Mini PCI or Mini PCI Express.

The short-range network often used for connecting peripherals like a mouse or keyboard is

Bluetooth.

Bluetooth is often referred to as a

PAN (Personal Area Network).

The antenna wires for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are often routed around the

outside of the display.

Routing antennas around the display gets them

as high as possible for better reception.

An 802.11 interface often has two antenna connectors labeled

main and auxiliary.

Authentication methods using a fingerprint or face recognition are known as

Biometrics.

To use biometrics, you need both a supportive OS and the proper

hardware.

The biometric authentication feature in Windows is called

Windows Hello.

Windows Hello Face uses the laptop's

camera for face recognition.

Windows Hello Fingerprint uses the laptop's

fingerprint reader.

NFC stands for

Near Field Communication.

The effective range of NFC is very short, often

4 cm or less.

An example of NFC use is

paying at a point of sale terminal or authenticating at a workstation.

The camera on a laptop is usually located

at the very top of the screen in the center.

Located next to the laptop camera are often

microphones.

If you need a higher definition camera than the one built-in, you can use an

external camera.

The function key on a laptop keyboard allows other keys to have

secondary functions.

To install an M.2 drive, you slide it in, push it down, and secure it with a

single screw.

Replacing a 2.5-inch drive typically involves removing

a couple of screws.

The two separate connections for a 2.5-inch drive are for

data and power.

If you follow the antenna wires from the display, they would lead to the

system board.

Why might a warehouse use NFC technology?

For easy wireless authentication of employees or tracking of goods.

A user reports that their laptop, which was working fine yesterday, no longer powers on. They confirm the AC adapter is working. The laptop has a user-swappable battery. What is the MOST likely first step to resolve the issue?

Remove the battery, connect the AC adapter, and try to power on the system to isolate a faulty battery.

A technician needs to upgrade the storage on a modern, thin laptop. The existing drive is a 128GB SATA M.2 card. Which replacement drive should the technician choose for the upgrade?

A higher capacity SATA or NVMe M.2 drive of the same physical keying and length.

A client's laptop keyboard has several non-functioning keys after a liquid spill. The technician has confirmed the issue is with the keyboard itself. What is the most common connection type the technician will encounter when replacing the keyboard module?

A ribbon cable with a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector.

A user wants to upgrade the RAM in their laptop to improve multitasking performance. The technician opens the access panel and sees one open slot next to an existing memory module. What type of module should the technician install?

A SODIMM module that matches the speed and voltage specifications of the existing RAM and motherboard.

A company wants to upgrade its fleet of older laptops, which all have 2.5-inch 5400 RPM HDDs. The primary goal is to increase boot speed and application loading times significantly. What is the most cost-effective upgrade?

Replace the 2.5-inch HDDs with 2.5-inch SSDs.

A technician is upgrading a laptop from an HDD to an SSD and wants to avoid reinstalling the operating system and all user applications. Which tool or process should be used?

Imaging or cloning software.

A user complains of very poor Wi-Fi signal strength on their laptop, even when close to the access point. Other devices in the same location work perfectly. During a physical inspection, the technician notices the laptop was recently repaired for a cracked screen. What is the most likely cause of the issue?

The Wi-Fi antenna wires were disconnected or damaged during the screen replacement.

A laptop's specifications list "802.11ac" and "Bluetooth 5.0" integrated on the motherboard. A user wants to add cellular data connectivity. What is the BEST option if the laptop has an available M.2 slot keyed for WWAN?

Install a WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) card and connect it to the appropriate cellular antennas.

A technician is replacing a modular 802.11n Mini PCIe card. After installing the new card, what is the CRITICAL next step before closing the laptop case?

Connect the main (1) and auxiliary (2) antenna wires to the corresponding connectors on the card.

A corporation is deploying new laptops and wants to enable a more secure login method than passwords. The laptops are equipped with a fingerprint reader and an IR camera. Which Windows feature should be configured to meet this requirement?

Windows Hello.

Which component's form factor is referred to as SODIMM?

Laptop memory (RAM).

A user with a new, very thin laptop needs to connect to the corporate network but cannot find an Ethernet port. The office has a robust wireless network. What technology will the laptop most likely use for primary network connectivity?

802.11 (Wi-Fi).

A technician is disassembling a laptop to replace a faulty integrated battery. This task is significantly more difficult than replacing a modular battery PRIMARILY because

it requires almost a complete teardown of the laptop chassis.

A user reports that their laptop's "F5" key, which should refresh a web page, is instead lowering the screen brightness. What is the most likely reason for this behavior?

The user needs to press the Fn key in combination with the F5 key to access its primary function.

What is a key advantage of an M.2 drive over a 2.5-inch drive specifically related to the physical installation in a compact device?

The M.2 form factor is significantly smaller and plugs directly into the motherboard.

A user's laptop memory is soldered to the motherboard. What is the implication for upgrading the memory?

The memory cannot be upgraded; the entire system board would need to be replaced.

A hospital wants to implement a system where nurses can log into any workstation by tapping their ID badge. Which wireless technology must be integrated into the laptops to support this?

NFC (Near Field Communication).

Where are the Wi-Fi antennas in a laptop typically placed to ensure optimal performance?

Routed along the perimeter of the LCD screen assembly.

A technician is troubleshooting a laptop with a non-functional built-in webcam. The OS does not detect the camera. The user confirms they did not disable it in software. What is the first hardware-related check the technician should perform?

Check if the internal camera cable is securely connected to the motherboard, especially after a screen replacement.

A user's Li-ion battery is at 40% capacity. They are about to leave for the day and want to charge it. What is the correct advice regarding charging?

Charge it immediately; modern Li-ion batteries do not suffer from the memory effect and can be charged at any level.

Which of the following components is considered a Personal Area Network (PAN) technology?

Bluetooth.

A technician replaces a laptop keyboard. After reassembly, the system powers on, but the new keyboard does not work at all. What is the MOST likely cause?

The keyboard's ribbon cable is not fully seated in its connector on the motherboard.

An M.2 SSD installation is completed by performing which final physical step?

Securing the drive to the motherboard with a single screw.

A client wants to ensure their laptop data is secure and that only they can log in. They find that passwords are inconvenient. Their laptop has a small square sensor next to the trackpad. What feature can they likely configure?

Windows Hello Fingerprint authentication.

What is the term for a battery that is NOT designed to be user-replaceable?

Integrated battery.

When replacing a 2.5-inch laptop hard drive, what must be removed to free the drive from its bay?

A mounting bracket or caddy secured by screws.

A user is having trouble with their laptop keyboard and wants to determine if it is a hardware or software issue. What is the most effective and immediate troubleshooting step?

Connect an external USB keyboard and test its functionality.

Which component is specifically designed to be smaller for laptops, compared to its desktop counterpart?

SODIMM.

A laptop is equipped with two antenna wires, one black and one gray, connected to a Mini PCIe wireless card. These typically correspond to which functions?

Main and Auxiliary 802.11 antennas.

The process of upgrading a laptop's primary storage from an HDD to an SSD is popular because it provides a significant increase in performance and what other benefit?

Increased reliability due to the lack of moving parts.

A technician is looking at two storage drives: one is a small, rectangular card with a connector on the short edge, and the other is a larger, sealed metal case. The card is most likely what type of drive?

An M.2 drive.

What technology allows for contactless payments and authentication within a range of 4 cm?

NFC.

During a video conference, other participants can see the user but cannot hear them. The user confirms their microphone is not muted in the software. What are the MOST likely hardware components to investigate?

The built-in microphones located near the webcam.

A laptop's specifications state it uses "LiPo" battery technology. This refers to what type of battery?

Lithium-ion Polymer.

The replacement of which of the following components would almost certainly require the technician to disconnect and reconnect antenna wires?

The wireless adapter card or the display assembly.

Why must a technician be extremely careful when trying to replace a single keycap on a laptop keyboard?

The underlying scissor-switch mechanisms are extremely fragile and easily damaged.

A user wants to perform a clean installation of Windows on a new SSD they just installed in their laptop. What is the primary disadvantage of this method compared to cloning?

All applications will need to be reinstalled, and all user data must be manually transferred.

What is the defining characteristic of an SSD that makes it more reliable in a mobile device than an HDD?

It has no moving parts.

A laptop has a Mini PCI Express slot. Which of the following components would be installed in this slot?

An 802.11 wireless card.

The Windows Hello Face feature requires which specific piece of hardware?

A camera (often an infrared camera for better security) that is compatible with the feature.

What is the purpose of the clips located on the sides of a SODIMM slot?

To secure the memory module firmly in place.

A user's laptop only has USB-C ports and a headphone jack. It has no visible Ethernet port. This design choice pushes the user to rely on what type of connectivity?

Wireless (802.11).

A technician is upgrading a laptop and has both the old HDD and the new SSD connected simultaneously via USB adapters. This setup is ideal for performing what task?

A direct drive-to-drive clone in real-time.

If a laptop's memory is soldered to the motherboard, what is the only way to get more memory for that system?

Replace the entire system board with one that has more memory.

A user says their laptop is "too wide" but is happy it includes a feature often missing on smaller models. Based on the text, what feature would this likely be?

A built-in numeric keypad.

A technician is replacing the display on a laptop. What wires must they be careful to correctly route from the display assembly back to the main chassis?

The wireless antenna wires.