RFLaptop Assembly: Body Parts and Hardware Components
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This page describes the different body parts used during laptop assembly, along with the hardware components used in their manufacturing.
Introduction
A laptop is a portable computer featuring a flat screen and a lightweight design. Unlike a desktop computer, a laptop can be easily used on your lap. It comprises both hardware and software.
Hardware refers to any physical device that you can touch and move. Examples of hardware components inside a laptop include the motherboard, CPU, memory, and I/O devices like the keyboard and screen.
Software includes system software, application software, and the operating system. The operating system acts as an interface between the user/application and the computer hardware, managing tasks such as file management, memory and process management, input/output handling, and controlling peripheral devices like disk drives and printers. Examples of operating systems include MS-Windows, Apple MAC-OS, and Linux.
Functions of Laptop Parts and Components
The specific parts and components inside a laptop can vary depending on the manufacturer, such as Microsoft, HP, Dell, Lenovo, LG, SONY, or ASUS. The table below outlines common laptop parts and their functions.
Let’s explore the functions of various laptop body parts and hardware components.
Table 1: Laptop Parts and Functions
| Laptop Part | Label (as in figure-1) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Display | A | The display functions as an output device, presenting information to the user in a desired format, similar to a desktop monitor. Displays are available in touch-screen and non-touch-screen versions. |
| Hinge Cover | B | This component protects the hinge from external damage. Hinges connect the laptop base and the display screen, allowing the user to rotate the display screen to a comfortable viewing angle, up to the maximum supported angle by the design. |
| Keyboard | C | The keyboard serves as an input device, allowing the user to enter data and commands for processing by the operating system. Keyboards vary in key layout, shape, and size. |
| Palm Rest | D | The palm rest provides a surface to mount the keyboard, touchpad, and base panel, along with other hardware components. It allows the user to rest their palms while using the keyboard and touchpad. It also protects the laptop’s internal components from external dust, water, and other contaminants. |
| System Board | E | The system board, also known as the “motherboard,” houses the CPU, GPU, RAM, ROM, hard drive slot, cooling fan, CD drive, battery, chip antenna, and connectors for various ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet, Power port, etc.). |
| Optical Drive | F | This drive uses laser light or electromagnetic waves to read and write data to optical discs. It provides high-speed read/write capabilities compared to standard CDs. |
| Main Battery | G | The battery provides power to the laptop when AC power is unavailable. Depending on the battery type (Li-Ion, NiCad, NiMH), the user can expect different power backup durations. Common battery voltages are 10.8V, 11.1V, or 14.8V. |
| Laptop Base | H | The laptop base provides a platform for mounting various laptop components, including the motherboard, hard drive, RAM, fan, battery, and CD drive. It also contributes to the overall aesthetics of the system. |
| Hard Drive | I | This is the primary storage device for data. There are two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). SSDs offer faster access times (around 0.1 ms) compared to HDDs (5.5 to 8.0 ms). SSDs also have lower average I/O wait times (1% vs 7% for HDDs) and consume less power (2 to 5 Watts vs 6 to 15 Watts for HDDs). |
| Speakers | J | Speakers produce sound waves, allowing the user to listen to music, audio files, or video. Laptop speakers typically include volume control. |
| Microprocessor/CPU | L | The CPU works with the operating system to control the laptop. It functions as the “brain” of the computer and generates a significant amount of heat. |
| Microprocessor Thermal Cooling Assembly | K | This assembly maintains the temperature inside the laptop. Small fans, heat sinks, heat spreaders, or heat pipes are used to dissipate heat from the CPU. Some laptop models use liquid coolant in channels alongside the heat pipe. In some designs, the CPU is mounted near the edge of the unit to directly expel heat into the air. |
| Fan | M | The fan helps maintain the temperature of the CPU and the internal components of the laptop. |
The following image depicts the assembly parts of an ASUS laptop, model Fx504.
As shown, there are four ports on the right side and the Wi-Fi SoC on the left. The 11.4V battery is mounted on the bottom left, while the Seagate HDD is on the bottom right. Two fans with a heatsink assembly are mounted on the top side across the motherboard.
Other Hardware Components of a Laptop
The following table outlines other hardware components found in laptops and their functions.
Table 2: Other Laptop Hardware Components
| Hardware Component | Function |
|---|---|
| WiFi SoC and WiFi Antenna | The WiFi SoC provides wireless LAN connectivity for users in offices or homes. Multiple users can share a single broadband internet connection simultaneously using WiFi. WiFi is based on the IEEE 802.11 standards (11b/a/g/n/ac/ax), with different versions supporting varying ranges and data rates. It’s primarily used for high-throughput internet browsing at fixed locations. |
| Cellular SoC and antenna | Cellular SoCs are based on 4G LTE and 5G NR standards from 3GPP specifications. Laptops with cellular SoCs are typically more expensive. They are mainly used for high download and upload data throughputs while traveling (or in motion). |
| Eye Tracking Sensor | Typically built into the bottom part of the display screen, it consists of cameras, projectors, and algorithms. It gathers data about the user, including their presence, attention (gaze point), focus, eye position, and pupil size. See benefits of Eye Tracking Technology. |
| NFC technology | NFC (Near Field Communication) allows a laptop to share content with NFC-enabled mobile phones, tablets, or other laptops. It evolved from RFID technology. |
| Fingerprint sensor/reader | The fingerprint reader authenticates the laptop user by scanning and verifying a pre-stored image of their fingerprint. It offers better security compared to username/password methods. |
| Bluetooth IC | Bluetooth is a common wireless technology enabling wireless data transmission between the laptop and other wireless peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, and speakers. These peripherals must also support Bluetooth to pair with the laptop. This benefits users by eliminating the need for wired USB devices. |
Conclusion
The above information is valuable for laptop disassembly, debugging, and assembly processes. It helps in understanding which laptop part to debug first during troubleshooting. Many different types of sensors are evolving, offering benefits to humans through integration in smart devices like laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and watches.
