Hardware for notebook, laptop

A portable computer (Laptop or notebook) uses similar technologies with that of desktop PC, with important adaptations. The comparison with a portable and an office computer is as difficult as to compare desktop PC with a network server. They use similar components, it is all.

An user of a notebook seeks: minimum weight and obstruction and autonomy (absence electrical supply network). The performances do not return inevitably in line of account (though it is relative) for this kind of computer. Some specificities are added on the new models like reader DVD and TV output.

25.2. General presentation of hardware of notebook.

. The unit is inserted in a case which is generally used as cooler with the microprocessor. Indeed, the use of a standard ventilator would impose an obstruction important and would increase consumption

The external connectors are identical to the ports of the office computers with some characteristics. To reduce space, the number is often reduced. A port PS2 is generally used for to connect a keyboard or a mouse (seldom 2 at the same time). The ports series are often removed. USB port are seldom to the standard, in particular at the maximum level running of 500 my per port. This requires the use of Hub USB external supplied with transformer. Generally, a port screen makes it possible to be connected on an external screen.

All the internal components of the portables are generally specific to the manufacturer and even to the model of the notebook: the repair of a notebook often requires the reference with the manufacturer in the event of breakdown. Attention, in the event of return in workshop, the hard drive is systematically formatted (unobtrusive).

25.3. Mobile processors.

INTEL was a long time the only manufacturer of this type of processor. Currently, AMD produces also processors with low fuel consumption of energy, provided with systems of economy. The CRUSOE, specific for portables, having disappeared from the market, I would not see it any more.

The internal architecture of a portable processor is not different from that of a standard microprocessor, only of the mechanisms of energy saving are added. These processors are generally followed letter M for mobile.

The processor of a portable is very seldom provided with a ventilator (even if the case included more and more this ventilator). The radiator of the microprocessor is directly fixed on the case which is used as cooling.

25.3.1. INTEL.

INTEL installed in its series M 2 functions of energy saving (as well CELERON as Pentium IV): function DEEPER LEEP and the function speedstep.

Function DEEPER LEEP calls upon QuickStart technology: a dynamic mode of management of the electric consumption which makes it possible to prolong autonomy on battery. The function Deeper Sleep reduces the consumption of the microprocessor when it detects one idle period (even short, between two type on the keyboard for example), to replace this last in active mode as soon as its activity begins again. This reduction is carried out by a lowering of the tension of the processor in on this side minimal value of operation but with conservation of its state. The function Deeper Sleep functions exactly in the same way as the function Deep Sleep (used in Pentium III), but with a lower tension of two thirds.

Technology INTEL SpeedStep improved authorizes the dynamic swing and in real time of the tension and the frequency between two modes of performances, according to the requests imposed on the processor. This operation intervenes by modification of the reports/ratios of the principal Bus (between the processor and the chipset), of the tension of the chip and its frequency, all this without rebootstrapping of the configuration.

The chipsets used by INTEL are as dedicated and indicated same manner as the office automation chipset, but the code is followed letter M for mobile. Example, the i845M is equivalent to the i845 (memories DDR) with functions of management of energy.

Technology CENTRINO of INTEL is not a specificity processor but gathers in fact 3 technologies:

This denomination is thus more commercial than technical. Nevertheless, the association of the 3 techniques allows a better autonomy than the mobile solutions standards of INTEL. Nevertheless, the portable PC using technology centrino are generally less cumbersome than the mobile solutions standards. A portable centrino to 1,6 Gh is approximately as powerful as a P4M with 2,8 GH, with an increased autonomy

25.3.2. AMD.

AMD was a long time in retreat with respect to INTEL for the portable processors. K6 and Duron used were only standard processors with (sometimes) some do-it-yourself to reduce consumption (typically reduction of the supply voltage). This changed with the exit of semi-2001 mobile ATHLON XP. The techniques to reduce consumption are not very different from INTEL sincethe AMD PowerNow! Technology also allows him to reduce the supply voltage of the processor according to the load of the portable PC.

25.4. Notebook Memories.

The technology of the memories is not very different from that of the office automation PC. The two types of memory below are used in the portables. In the notebook the bottom-of-the-range ones (generally using standard processors), they are replaced by dimm or DDR standards. The installation of an additional memory is generally done by opening a small trap door below.

A small council, if you wish to add memory for a portable, make a turn on the site of Kingston, it is a manufacturer who takes again the whole of the possible memories (some is the mark of the portable). It is often this one which is proposed at the time of a upgrade by the retailers.

25.5. Hard disk for notebook.

The hard disks are of technology IDE just like the standard hard disks. The size nevertheless is standardized to 2,5 inch of width instead of 3,5 chip for the standard hard disks. The capacities are generally lower. Separately if the BIOS of the mother chart does not authorize it (what is largely of application), it can be replaced.

25.6. Portable mother chart

As for the office automation PC, the mother chart is related on the type of processor and the chipset used. For the standard processors used in the portables, one finds the standard chipset. For a few years, the chipsets have been also sold in MOBILE version: energy saving, supply voltage.

A mother chart for portable PC is specific to the model. It is thus impossible to replace a mother chart of a mark by another. This is related to mechanical fixings on the case, especially that cooling is often carried out by fixing of the radiator processor on the case.

25.7. Communication

The ports used are the same ones as those used in the office automation PC; Series, USB, Parallel, Firewire... The number is often reduced. Moreover, I already fell on some USB problems at the maximum level running from 500 mV provided, which obliges in certain cases to use a HUB USB.

Generally, an external port PS2 makes it possible to connect a mouse or a keyboard. In the new models, the 2 are seldom at the same time

All the other communications can be made by optional charts with format PCMCIA (already seen in the chapter on the internal buses). These charts are hot plug. One finds in particular networks (RJ45, without wire), modem... according to the type of internal bus PCMCIA of the portable. For recall, two ports PCMCIA I are used for a connection in PCMCIA II

25.8. Disk drive, CD-Rom, engraver...

According to the model, these peripherals can be included or external in option (connected on port USB for example). Here also, internal fixings of these peripherals are specific to the model of the portable (besides some old models for the disk drive). A repair passes almost inevitably by a specialized engineering department.

If the engraver CD or DVD is not included in the model at the beginning (old models), the only solution is to pass by an external model USB or Firewire. The floppy drive misses on the new models.

25.9. Graphics accelerator and posting

The majority of the graphics cards used on the portables are directly established on the mother chart. In the models the bottom-of-the-range one, the memory is divided with that of the processor. New circuits use a chart girl which can under certain conditions being replaced. The standard memory is weaker than for the office automation charts screens, but is sufficient.

The majority of the current portable PC propose a connector for external screen and offer even a TV output to read DVD.

The choice of a portable is often related to this screen: dimensions and especially technology. Avoid the DSTN or its derivatives. Contrast is poor and the vision of the screen must face completely. TFT monitors are of characteristic identical to those of the office automation flat-faced screens.

25.10. Pointers for portable

Even if a mouse can be connected to the back of a portable, the pointer provided with the apparatus is often used the most. Three methods are used: the trackball (disappeared today and by far the least practical), the plate used by COMPAQ, HP, IBM... and the pointer used by toshiba. The portables toshiba have a better reputation on the level shock than the others, but this pointer is almost unusable for the old models. I do not remember to have delivered a toshiba is to have given a mouse in option. Even the three click necessary to the starting configuration of the portable irritated me already.

25.11. Batteries and energy saving for portable computer

Here also, the shape and the connector industry of the battery are specific to the model of portable.

The effect of memory is a problem specific to the batteries. If you do not discharge regularly and completely (every 6 months for example) the battery from your portable (PC but also GSM), the refill will stop on a level lower than that maximum. Of wire out of needle, it becomes unusable (more refill). This is also valid for the UPS and inverter.

Each portable computer includes mechanisms of software energy saving specific: put in day before prolonged after a certain time of inactivity with safeguard of the environment on the hard disk (with the restarting, the opened programs, data...) are reintroduced in the memory to work again almost directly

25.12. DockStation or replicator, various connector industries

Certain models of notebook are provided (in option) with a replicator of port. This case makes it possible to insert the portable PC and to take again all the connectors to use it like a standard PC directly connected to your external peripherals. Below a Hewlett Packard model.

The telephone catch of the modem is specific to the country in which you are. The notebooks modems are usable in practically all the countries. The choice of the country in the properties of the modem (by Windows) makes it possible to modify its characteristics according to the telephone line.

The electrical connectors are also specific to the country (frequency, difference of tension between the United States 110 V and Europe 240 V, ground connection). The transformer delivered with the notebook is often adapted.

25.13. Repair and operating system installation Windows on notebook.

As we saw in the various components, repair without the assistance and the specific parts of the manufacturer are not easily realizable. The engineering departments for portable PC generally use diskettes of boot specific to the model. Attention, the reference of a portable computer in engineering department requires a preliminary safeguard of the data. They are systematically formatted with the arrival with the workshop. There is generally no either jumpers to give the BIOS to zero (case of the password).

The only modifications/repairs of portable PC relate to the memories to add or replace, possibly the disk hard to replace.

The re installment is done with restoration CD, as well as the majority of the PC of mark. Here also the data are completely erased by this restoration which gives OS and the programs to zero, as at the time of the purchase. In the office automation PC, there is average to install beforehand the hard disk on another machine to recopy the data. As the discs of the portable PC do not use standard connectors (format 2"5), this operation is impossible without a specific ancillary equipment. Always buy a portable with engraver and port network to safeguard in the event of problems.

A last remark, the drivers specific to the peripherals of the portable PC are almost untraceable. Even on the site of a manufacturer, the number of model is too important to test them all. To replace the operating system by another Windows is not easily realizable, losses of functionalities of energy saving, modem, chart network...

25.14. To choose its notebook

A portable computer is not frankly the equivalent of an office computer. The first defect remains the keyboard. Striking is definitely different, the smaller keys and misses on the standard models the numeric keypad. An external mouse or a numeric keypad can nevertheless be added.

One distinguishes above all the portables from the transportable ones. The portables extra-light integrate generally only few accessories, but have on the other hand an autonomy increased for a superlight weight. These portables are generally containing processors INTEL Centrino. On the other hand the transportable ones are characterized by additional external ports. Certain models ACER make up to 7,5 kg but use screens 17"dishes (equivalent to 19" cathode ray ones) with wearing of communication even higher to the standard computer (in a number and types). According to the application, the user will choose one or the other. A remark, the autonomy of mobile processors AMD is generally lower than that of equivalents INTEL (but the price is more expensive). For all a little professional applications (and especially Windows XP SP2), 512 MB of memory remain a basic standard.

Without quoting all the marks of computers, HP, ACER, IBM and Toshiba their competitors are often dissociated. Toshiba, although in withdrawal currently, probably manufactures the portable computers most resistant to the shocks of the market. IBM also manufactures excellent portables with Thinkpad, all confused series. If Compaq (repurchased by HP) with its series ARMADA made the beautiful days of the users, series EVO, but especially NC and NX of Hewlett Packard replace them advantageously. ACER is also an excellent mark making all the ranges of machines, I use a series personally ASPIRES. Avoid nevertheless some marks of great surface for the professional applications or even a portable computer without marks (spare parts if necessary)

Microprocessor PC

Processors used in the office computers and notebooks

PC memories

Memories used in the office computers and laptops

Hard drive IDE, SATA

Course: Hard disk for Computers and notebook

Course: graphic cards

Technology of computer graphic accelerators

The HARDWARE 1 training

YBET informatique

25.1. Introduction.