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Laptop Parts...Getting the Right Hardware In Your Laptop

laptop parts open notebook case

Understanding laptop parts is the key to getting the right computer for your needs. A bare bones laptop is a:
  • notebook motherboard
  • notebook cpu
  • hard drive
  • laptop ram
  • power supply
  • display
  • keyboard
  • pointing device

Everything is in a hinged case,with the display in the top part and the keyboard and pointing device in the thicker, lower part. There's probably a speaker in the case. There is a space for a battery and there is a power cord. In a 13 inch or larger model almost every manufacturer includes a dvd writer (optical drive) and the battery.

There are video and sound processing circuits integrated on laptop motherboards. There will be a way to connect to the internet. Wireless internet for laptop could be a built-in wireless adapter. As you can see in the picture, its crowded with laptop parts in there.


If you are looking at a notebook computer on the website of one of the direct sales laptop manufacturers, you will see that some components of laptop computers can be customized within a product line.

You can select:

  • notebook processors
  • hard drives
  • laptop ram
  • optical drives (dvd or blu-ray drive)

Depending on the product line, you may be able to get separate notebook videocards and sound cards.

The motherboard, power supply, speaker, keyboard and pointing device will be the same in that line.

If you're buying from a retailer, (either in person or on-line) you will be getting an off-the-shelf, pre-built, lap top computer. You need to know what you want. You might be able to get some laptop upgrades, but you will need to buy the upgraded part and pay for labor to put it in.

You'll probably void the manufacturer's warranty in the process.

The good news is that many of the notebook computers in these retail stores are the popular configurations of the ones you might see on-line from the manufacturers. They are frequently less expensive. I recently priced out a mid-level notebook for my wife. I could drive five minutes to one of the big box retailersand save $434 from the on-line price for the same computer.

You need to be careful though. Some of the computers you'll see in retail stores are the high profit margin ones... All the bells and whistles you don't want and don't need.

Click on one of the pictures below to find out more about that component.

MotherboardHard DriveCPUNotebook MemoryVideo CardNetwork Card


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