1.1 Laptop Hardware Flashcards

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Modular Battery

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A battery designed to be removed and replaced by the user without disassembling the laptop. It usually has an external release mechanism or latch for quick swapping.

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Internal Battery

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A battery built into the laptop chassis that typically requires partial or full disassembly by a technician to replace. It offers a sleeker design at the cost of user serviceability.

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Lithium-ion

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A common rechargeable battery chemistry used in laptops that does not suffer from the old memory effect, allowing charging at any time. It balances energy density and cost for mobile devices.

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Lithium polymer

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A battery variant often used in thin laptops with flexible packaging; like lithium-ion, it avoids memory effect and supports frequent charging. It is often found in very slim laptop models.

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SODIMM

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Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module used by most laptops for RAM in a compact, removable form factor. Modules slot into clips on the motherboard and can be upgraded or replaced easily in many systems.

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Soldered RAM

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Memory permanently attached to the motherboard, preventing user upgrades and typically requiring a board replacement to increase capacity. This design reduces space but limits flexibility.

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2.5" Drive

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A traditional spinning hard drive form factor commonly used in older laptops, offering larger storage but slower access times compared to SSDs. It connects via separate power and data connectors in many systems.

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SSD

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Solid State Drive that stores data on flash memory with no moving parts, offering faster performance and greater reliability than spinning drives. SSDs come in various form factors including 2.5" and M.2.

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M.2 Drive

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A compact module form factor for SSDs that plugs into a dedicated M.2 slot on the motherboard and is secured with a single screw. Its small size makes it ideal for thin laptops and modern installations.

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Imaging Software

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Software used to create an exact copy of a storage drive or partition so you can migrate an operating system and data to a new drive. Many SSD vendors supply cloning tools for easier upgrades.

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Mini PCIe Card

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A small modular card often used in older laptops to provide functions like 802.11 wireless connectivity. These cards typically plug into a socket and connect to antenna wires for radio signals.

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Antenna Wires

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Thin cables that carry wireless signals between the radio card and antennas commonly routed around the laptop display to maximize range. They typically connect to small connectors labeled main and aux on the card.

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Ribbon Cable

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A flat flexible cable commonly used to connect laptop keyboards and other compact components to the motherboard. It typically uses a friction or locking connector that must be handled carefully during removal.

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External USB Keyboard

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A diagnostic tool to determine whether keyboard issues are hardware-related or OS-related by bypassing the internal keyboard. Plugging one in can quickly confirm if the laptop's primary keyboard is faulty.

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Keycap Replacement

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The process of replacing an individual laptop key or keycap; laptop keys are often fragile and require manufacturer-specific methods to avoid damaging the scissor or membrane mechanisms. Single-key repairs need careful handling.

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Bluetooth

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A short-range wireless standard used for peripherals and personal area networking, often integrated into laptop motherboards or provided via small modular cards. Bluetooth can connect mice, keyboards, and headsets.

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Biometric Hardware

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Sensors such as fingerprint readers or face cameras used to authenticate users via unique biological traits. The operating system must support the biometric method to enable secure login features like Windows Hello.

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Windows Hello

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A Windows feature that supports biometric authentication, including face recognition and fingerprint login. It requires compatible hardware and OS support to function properly.

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NFC

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Near Field Communication, a very short-range wireless protocol used for secure payments and quick authentication. NFC typically works within a few centimeters and is used in retail, healthcare, and logistics contexts.

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Access Panel

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A removable cover on the laptop underside that provides access to components like RAM, storage, or wireless cards for easier repairs. Using the access panel minimizes full disassembly in many service tasks.