1. Portable Computing

2. The Basics Portables use LCD screens for output Include sound – at some quality level Run on DC stored in battery(s) Smaller, lower-powered CPU, sometimes Memory modules are smaller (physically)

3. LCD Screens Variety of screen sizes and native resolutions – don’t memorize Table 26-1 Screen can be matte or high gloss – it’s all about glare and picture sharpness Remember that an LCD has a native resolution you should stick with Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) not on laptops – look to smartphones

4. Typical Portable

5. Desktop Replacements Most weight, most horsepower and often shortest battery run time Designed to replace a desktop system Kathy wants one of these for motor home

6. Ultralights Really designed for travel – less than three pounds and thin Got to settle for smaller hard disk drive, less memory Sleek and sexy, but expensive

7. Netbooks Two classes: lightweight = Linux operating system, good for surfing the net only; small notebooks = Windows OS, memory and hard disk capacity. Going to see these decline as tablets (iPad) take over

9. MacBook Air

10. Tablet PC Electronic notepad Convertables allow use of a keyboard that can fold out of the way Slates don’t have a keyboard Use a stylus to write on the screen or virtual keyboard The magic: “With the right application..”

12. LCD Displays 12 – 17 inch (diagonal) in size; wide screens are catching on rapidly Passive (old) and Active Matrix (TFT) – cursor will “smear” or “submarine”

13. Pointing Devices Trackball was early failure Trackpoint, or touchpoint – from IBM; puts joystick in the middle of keyboard Touchpad – flat, touch-sensitive pad with mouse buttons; most you can click and double-click by tapping the pad

14. TouchPoint

15. Weight Advertised weight is without battery or removable drive(s) Also might want to factor in the weight of power brick (for AC) and any adapters or connectors you might need

16. Cases Case Frame – Metal frame in lower half holds everything together and helps with heat dissipation Plastic case – surrounds LCD and metal frame

17. Interchangable Parts Next to none as parts are proprietary to manufacturer and model Models and feature sets change too quickly to allow economies of scale (i.e. the price to come down) CPU often soldered to motherboard; video on motherboard too

18. Single-Function Ports Audio out, 3.5 mm round port; mic in Display (analog or digital) out Network (RJ-45) or 801.11 (wireless) or Bluetooth or all the above. Usually have a switch to turn wireless/Bluetooth off/on.

19. Expansion PC cards –PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard –Usually two slots for potentially multiple functions –68-pin interface to computer, 16-bit and 32-bit CardBus

20. Parallel PC cards 16-bit and Cardbus and the three sizes 16-bit allowed up to two functions (modem and NIC) Cardbus are 32-bit and could have up to eight functions; dominate card today Two Type I or Type II cards or one Type III in typical laptop 2-slot configuration

21. Express Card Serial, connects to Hi-Speed USB bus or a PCI Express bus. 34 and 54 mm widths

22. Alternate Connections Port Replicator or Docking Station Fits into a proprietary port at back or bottom of laptop Allows you to leave devices plugged into replicator/station (saves wear on connectors) Dock may have additional drive(s) built into it

23. Port Replicator

24. Docking Station

25. RAM Plan on adding RAM as most laptops come with minimum RAM SO-DIMMs, 72- or 144-pin, were popular Newer systems use DDR,DDR2 and now DDR3 at 200 pins Somewhere on the back is a panel door to RAM – ThinkPad puts it under keyboard Note the angle of the SO-DIMM in Fig. 26-47 (page 1232). Also note that only two spots for RAM addition(s).

28. Hard Drives Use a 44-pin connector which includes power connection (PATA drives) Edge connector for SATA drives Don’t have Master/Slave setting 2.5 inch form factor Current laptops use Solid State Drive – no moving parts

29. Going Inside Try not to do this Often takes special tool(s) – jeweler’s phillips at minimum or small Torx Laptops not designed to be taken apart by us mortals Always remove power cord and battery first

30. More parts Michael thinks you can upgrade processor and/or video card. Don’t plan on it. You can plan on voiding the warranty if you take the laptop apart.

31. Managing Portables Be sure latest patches are installed Keep an eye on driver updates Keep the unit clean – water not Windex Try to keep unit cool – hot car seat will drain battery

32. Batteries Store in cool location Keep contacts clean with alcohol swab Condition (discharge) if possible Battery chemicals are VERY toxic Recycle old batteries – don’t trash can them

33. Batteries - 1 Nickel-Cadmium or Ni-Cds (Ni-Cads) –Severe “memory” issue –Did not like to be overcharged –Did not like heat –Usually had a short lifespan

34. Batteries – 2 Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) –Less susceptible to memory issues –Can better tolerate overcharging –More recharges in lifespan –“Shallow recharge” – recharging in steps not all at once

35. Batteries – 3 Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) –More powerful, longer run time on a charge –Immune to memory problems –Not as many recharges as Ni-MH –Will explode if overcharged; laptop has control circuitry for this –Most common type of battery today

36. Power Management Need SMM-capable (System Management Mode) CPU -2004 and newer Need BIOS support to shut down peripherals Devices need to be able to shut down – Energy Star OS must know how to request a device to shut down Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)

37. Care and Feeding of Batteries Store batteries in cool place – heat will discharge battery “Condition” battery if possible: Deep discharge then recharge in steps Keep battery contacts clean with alcohol swab Never handle broken or ruptured battery Always recycle batteries

38. Configuration Windows will override CMOS settings Control Panel applet: Power Options Can also get there through Display applet Most laptops will hibernate if you close the clamshell Tradeoff between power saved and “return” time

39. EnabledStandbyHibernateOff Restart time required

42. Mortal Enemies Liquid into keypad Heat Free fall – slide off a desk or dragged off by power cord or sudden stop Theft

43. Protecting the Machine Clean with damp cloth or compressed air Avoid heat as much as possible Remove battery if storing device for long time Back up data Travel outside US means watching power issues

44. Upgrade and Repair Mike thinks disassembly is easy Four-step process: –Document and label every cable and screw location –Organize any parts removed –Refer to manufacturer’s documentation –Use appropriate hand tools Know memory and hard drive replacement/upgrade

45. Troubleshooting Won’t power on… Good AC? Can you remove any device(s)? Is the battery charging? Screen does not come on… Try Display options to set to internal display Wireless does not work… Switch on? Hike to access point and try again Keypad/Touchpad doesn’t work… Check ribbon cable for good contact (inside case)