Home
Hardware
Desktops
Laptops
Software
Accessories
HerTechTips
Customer Service
Q&A
Downloads
Computer Usage
HGTC Blog
H-C-Services!
Sponsors
Your Pages
Upgrade or New?

Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

LAPTOP

I used to think that a laptop was a computer that you could place on your lap. This had me thinking that is where the 'lap' part came from-:)

This small, mobile computer has practically replaced the desktop computer. While I will be referring mainly to Windows-based PCs on this website, it's interesting to note that Apple has jumped on the bandwagon with their own line of personal computers and they're doing quite well.

Apple Notebooks

Unlike the desktop, a laptop can run from a single battery or a power adapter. The laptop's weight can range from 2-15 pounds and the screen size can be between 14.1-15.4 inches.

Laptops have become very popular during the past several years, not only because of size but also because of convenience.

Laptops are portable, fun and easy. However, it is good to remember that laptops are also very fragile. They have the same computer parts as the desktop, but the parts are much smaller.

Special care and handling is needed if you have a laptop.

  1. Be careful not to drop or bump your laptop against anything
  2. Make sure your laptop is turned off when transporting it and place it in a carrying case
  3. When picking up your laptop, always hold it by the bottom, never pick it up by the screen or LCD display
  4. Do NOT place or leave objects on top your laptop
  5. Avoid moving your laptop while it is still powered on
  6. Avoid eating or drinking in front of your laptop
  7. Do not set your laptop on material such as paper or cloth as these materials will not allow the heat generated by the laptop to disperse
  8. Do not slam the LCD screen to close the laptop, this can cause the screen to crack or break. Instead, close the laptop from the outside center of the screen
    9.



    Upgrading Your Laptop

    Similiar to upgrading a desktop, a laptop can be upgraded, however with only certain parts being affected. Because a laptop is more fragile than a desktop, the parts inside the laptop are more sensitve than a desktop.

    The parts that can be upgraded in a laptop are:

    hard drive, memory, optical drive

    Remember, when you want to upgrade your computer, you want MORE out of that part, whether it be space or memory. Now, in the case of an optical drive, say if you had a CD-ROM installed on your laptop and you now want a CD Burner, taking out the CD-ROM drive and replacing it with the CD burner would be considered an upgrade because you now have both a CD-ROM drive with a ability to burn CDs.

    The other parts of the laptop: LCD screen, CPU, mother/system board, video card, can be replaced with the same exact part. When deciding to replace these parts, it is extremely important to check the make and model of your laptop and make sure the part that are you replacing and/or upgrading is the exact model & part number.

    There are many generic or 'no frills' parts that can be used, (because they're be cheaper to buy) but you have to make sure that these parts are compatible with your laptop.

    Replacing or upgrading the wrong part can ruin your laptop and cause long-term damage.





    TigerDirect


    footer for laptop page