Hardware Components of a Notebook

Hardware Components of a Notebook

1) Motherboard- Motherboard of a laptop is the main board that communicates with all the components and

devices attached to it. Users can be particular of mother when it comes to the speed of the motherboard operates. For example, some laptops can go up to 3.9 Ghz. More over PCI slots are also being cared about as it benefits the speed of the laptop. For example RAM. Next will be Graphic card slot. Some laptops like Alienware enable the user to upgrade their graphic card memory if they intend to.

2) Central Processing Unit (CPU) (Processors) - The CPU accepts input data, processes information and sends it to whatever component that is

in charge of executing the action. Users are particular about different types of CPU as it shows the speed capacity the CPU can run. The larger the CPU, the faster it can process, store and execute commands.

IV. Processor Comparison Table (Taken from https://kb.wisc.edu/showroom/page.php?id=4927)

This section offers a breakdown and comparison of the different product lines within Intel's/AMD's offerings. The processors are divided by the companies making the processors (Intel and AMD) then within those companies, a general ranking and purpose is offered for the kinds of processors each is offering. That is, some will be far better suited for doing advanced tasks such as data/statistical analysis, modelling, and mulltimedia creation where at the other extreme (toward the bottom of the Intel and AMD charts below), these products will not be able to handle much more than web browsing and e-mail. In between those extremes are processors that can usually handle a little bit from the top and bottom ends of the spectrum. The kind of performance implied by these processors is typically enough and recommended for most users; e.g. the Core i3 or i5 processors on the Intel side or the Phenom II or A-series from AMD's offerings.

Intel Comparison Table

Recommended For

Last Generation

Released (Codename)

Number of Cores

Notable Features

Additional Product

InformationProduct Commentary

Core i7

Enthusiasts, Superior All-Around

Performance, Multi-tasking, Multimedia Creation, Advanced

Productivity and Advanced 3D

Graphics

2012 ("Ivy Bridge") and

upcoming

2, 4

(1) Hyper-Threading(2) Turbo

Boost(3) QuickPath InterConnect(4) Tri-Gate

(3D) Transistors(5) Intel HD

Graphics(6) 64-bit

Intel

The Intel Core i7 represents the company's most feature robust processor offering. They are

Intel's flagship series of processor, achieving the greatest levels of relative performance.

As an excellent all-around processor, the i7 is ideal for

enthusiasts, gamers, power users and content creators alike. They are available for both desktop and notebook platforms. The

current generation of i7 (as well as i3 and i5) processors is Ivy

Bridge as of Mid-2012.

http://www.amd.com/amdfx

Core i5 All-Around Performance, Multi-tasking, Advanced

Producivity, Multimedia,

Advanced 3D Graphics


upcoming

2, 4

(1) Hyper-Threading (on

i5 Mobile Dual-Core only, not

available on Quad-Core

desktop version)

(2) Turbo Boost

(3) QuickPath InterConnect(4) Tri-Gate


Graphics(6) 64-bit

Intel

The Intel Core i5 is a class of high-performance processor just a notch beneath the i7. Though

they generally possess same features as the i7 with some

exceptions (see Features), they have less cache (L3) memory which amounts to similar, but lesser all-around performance.

Like the i7 and i3, the i5 features Intel's high performance

integrated graphics in the HD 3000/4000. Most users will find the general level of perfomance

offered by the i5 to be an attractive option compared to a

more expensive i7-equipped system.

Core i3

Productivity, Multi-tasking, Basic

Graphics, Multimedia


upcoming2, 4

(1) Hyper-Threading

(2) QuickPath InterConnect(3) Tri-Gate


Graphics 3000(5) 64-bit

Intel

The Intel Core i3 processor is the closest successor to the now

out-of-production Core2Duo processor. The most significant differences between the i3 and i5/i7 is the lack of Turbo Boost and less cache (L3) memory. The i3 offers moderate all-

around performance and is often found in budget-oriented

systems.

Pentium (Post-2009)

Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing, Photos and Music

2011 ("Sandy Bridge") 2

Hyper-Threading

(however, most currently do

not support this feature)

Intel

The Intel Pentium as a product line had built a strong reputation

with consumers in the 90's through the early 2000s with the

Pentium I/II/III/4 series. Formerly a flagship line of processor, the Pentium is

currently in production as a budget-oriented option just

above the Celeron in terms of relative performance. The most recent iteration of the Pentium takes some architectural cues from the Core i series with the

2011 Pentium based on the Sandy Bridge, offering

performance suitable for most basic tasks.

Celeron(Post-2010)

Productivity, E-mail, and Web Browsing, Photos and Music

2011 ("Sandy Bridge") 2 64-bit Intel

Throughout its many iterations, the Intel Celeron has occupied the lower end of the processor market in terms of both price

and performance. Updates to the Celeron based on current

generation architecture have been made to keep the processor relevant. The improvements are enough such that they allow for

running current productivity packages and web applications. They are best considered for an

entry-level system.

Atom Basic Productivity, 2012 ("Cedar 1, 2 (1) Hyper- Intel The Intel Atom belongs almost

E-mail, and Web Browsing

Trail") and upcoming

Threading(2) 64-bit

exclusively to a class of personal computers known as netbooks

(nettops and tablets are the lesser common instances). The Atom is

focused not so much on performance as it is on reducing power consumption. As a result, many netbooks offer excellent battery life at the cost of being

unable to run more sophisticated applications beyond web

browsing and word processing. Generally speaking, netbook

processors such as the Atom do not see substantial performance

gains with subsequent generations.

Retiring/Retired Product Lines

Core 2 Duo & Core 2 Quad

Multi-tasking, Productivity and

Multimedia2008 2, 4 64-Bit

Intel- Core 2 Duo- Core 2 Quad

Though the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors are still in production, the platform has been succeeded by the Core i

Series since late 2008. Despite this, these processors are still

very servicable providing adequete levels of performance

for multitasking to varying levels of multimedia creation and productivity applications.

AMD Comparison Table

Recommended For

Last Generation

Released (Codename)

Number of Cores

Notable Features

Additional Product

InformationProduct Commentary

FX

Desktop Enthusiasts, All-

Around High Performance

2012 ("Bulldozer") and upcoming

4, 6, 8

(1) HyperTransport(2) Integrated

DRAM Controller with AMD

Memory Optimizer(2) AMD Turbo

CORE(3) AMD

Virtualization(4) AMD

PowerNow! (Cool'n'Quiet)

(1) AMD(2)

Architectural Features

Available exclusively on desktop platforms, AMD FX targets custom builders and

enthusiasts. This is a processor that far surpasses the needs of

the average user. However, given the amount of

performance it provides combined with the relative low cost, it becomes an attractive option for budget custom PC builds. The FX along with the

A-Series, represent AMD's current flagship products and

later releases within these product lines are planned.

A-Series (Fusion) A4: Basic All-Around

Use/Productivity, Casual Gaming

A6, A8: All-Around

Performance, Multimedia,

Advanced 3D

2012 ("Trinity") and upcoming

A4: 2

A6, A8: 4

DirectX 11 Capable Graphics

(1) AMD(2) Notebook

Features

The AMD A-Series (AMD Fusion) are a type of chip that merges the CPU with a high-performance GPU (graphics

processing unit) resulting in a versatile system that is very power efficient. They are

available in desktops, laptops and most recently, ultrabooks. Where the A4 APU is found in

Graphics

less expensive, entry level systems, the A6 and A8 are

more suited for all-around use w/advanced graphics

applications (such as gaming or 3D modeling). In May

2012, AMD released the next generation of Fusion A-Series processors known as "Trinity", these processors promise much greater graphical and general purpose performance. AMD

has aligned Trinity as an answer to Intel's Ivy Bridge.

Phenom IIAdvanced

Productivity, HD Video, 3D

Graphics, Photos and Music

2010 2, 3, 4, 6

(1) HyperTransport™

(2) Integrated DRAM Controller

with AMD Memory

Optimizer (3) AMD Turbo

CORE(4) AMD


(5) AMD CoolCore!

(1) AMD (2) Key


The AMD Phenom II is primarily a class of high-

performance desktop processor.In 2010, AMD

claimed to be the first in the industry to offer a consumer

class six-core processor though the X6. Mobile variants of the Phenom II were introduced as

well, but not in the six-core flavor. Though new

generations of this product line are no longer in the works, this line of processor is still sold as

a low-cost, budget-oriented option for custom system

builds. The performance of this processor is more than

enough for everyday usage and productivity.

Athlon IIBasic Multi-

tasking, Productivity and

Multimedia Applications

2011 and upcoming 2, 3, 4

(1) AMD Virtualization

(2) AMD PowerNow!

(Cool'n'Quiet)(3) AMD CoolCore!

(1) AMD (2) Key


The Athlon II is a relatively recent processor taking design

cues from the Phenom II. Unlike the Athlon Classic, is

still in production and far more suited to current productivity

applications such as Microsoft Office as well as multitasking and multimedia applcations. It

is found in both laptops and desktops as a reasonably-

powered, cost-effective option.

Turion II

Productivity, Photos, and Music 2010 1, 2 (1) HyperTransport

(2) 64-bit AMD

The Turion II is a processor based from the same

architecture in the Phenom II and Athlon II. It was

introduced as a competitor to Intel's Core 2 Duo. As a result, its performance should be very

suitable for productivity software. They designed with power efficiency in mind and is found primarily in notebook

configurations.

Sempron

Basic Productivity, E-mail, and Web

Browsing2010 1, 2 (1) HyperTransport

(2) 64-bit AMD

The Sempron is the AMD analogue to the Intel Celeron. It offers very basic levels of performance and is updated

every so often so as to offer an inexpensive option capable of

running recent versions of productivity software such as Office 2010 as well as web

applications.

Retiring/Retired

Product Lines

Phenom Multi-tasking, HD Video, Basic

Graphics2008 2, 3, 4

(1) HyperTransport(2) AMD


(3) AMD CoolCore!

AMD

The AMD Phenom processor preceded the Phenon II.

Though the processor is no longer in production, it is

generally considered lower-middle range in performance; suitable for multi-tasking and

more than casual use. The Phenom was available only for

desktop platforms.

3) RAM - All new laptops now come with DDR 3 RAM.

The latest generation of memory technology, DDR3, began to appear in systems in late 2007. DDR3 is an evolutionary step beyond DDR2 and operates at lower voltages, thereby consuming less power, and can transfer data at rates up to 12.8 GB per second. Typically, DDR3 based systems can address memory modules in banks of 1, 2 or 3. If a system supports it, installing memory in matched sets of 2 or 3 modules (dual channel or triple channel modes) will deliver greatly increased memory performance over running a single memory module by itself. Example, 8GB,2GB,4GB and even 12 GB

4) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

- Of course, the bigger the hard disk space, and the happier the user is. Most new laptops these days comes with minimum 500 GB and can range to 2 TB unless if the user wants a Apple laptop than the space can be limited ranging from 128 gb onwards but that’s depending on the type of laptops .

5) Optical disc drive- In all new laptops now, there is only two options. One is DVD drives and another is Blu-ray Drive.

Maximum available speed in a DVD drive at present is 22X or 24X. Here the constant X = 1.385 MB. The constant ‘X’ in a blue ray drive = 6.74 MB. But blue ray drives and blue ray discs are not available in all markets easily and also they are costly, compared to DVD drives and discs. Generally Blue ray drives have separate red laser head for reading and writing CDs and DVDs.

Operating Systems

Most common OS Users look for is Single Operating System and there are two main ones which is Windows(Microsoft) & and Mac OS(Apple)

Comparison chart (taken from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Mac_vs_PC) Improve this chart Mac

Currently 3.45/5

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PCCurrently 3.70/5

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What is it?: Short form for “Macintosh” and refers to any computer produced by Apple, Inc.

Refers to any computer running IBM-Based(Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD) Operating Systems.

Manufacturer: Apple Inc., is the only manufacturer of Macintosh computers.

Microsoft creates the OS, while companies like HP, Toshiba, Dell, Lenovo, etc. install the Windows OS onto the computer, and assemble the PC.

Cost: Computers start at $599 for the Mac Mini, and $999 for the Macbook Air. Other models are more expensive. For desktop or home use Macs are more expensive than a PC.

Compared to a Mac, Windows and Windows-associated hardware is almost always cheaper. Computers running Windows can be found usually 40-75% cheaper than a Mac.

Popular Applications:

iLife, iWork, Xcode, iTunes, Time Machine, Safari, Mac App Store, FaceTime, Game Center, Photo Booth

MS Office, Internet Explorer, Media Player, Media Center, Windows Defender, SkyDrive

Development and

Macs is developed and distributed by Apple, Inc.

PCs are manufactured and distributed by hundreds of

Improve this chart MacCurrently 3.45/5

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Distribution: manufacturers.

OS family: Unix-like (BSD>Darwin>Mac) Windows, Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, etc.

Website: www.apple.com www.microsoft.com

Compatibility: Can open some PC files and can coexist on local networks with PCs. Can open .doc, .exe (as a compressed bundle), .xls, and others. Software exists for other file types.

Mac-based files (.DMG) cannot be opened on Windows natively, but you can install software that can read, and possibly write Mac-based files on a PC.

Gaming: There is a very limited number of games available natively for Macs, however Macs can run .exe files using WINE or CodeWeavers. Some of the more popular titles are released much later, if at all, for the Mac. There is no native DirectX support in Mac

The library of games available for the PC is exhaustive, and hardware specifically tweaked for gaming performance is much more readily available for Windows. The array of graphics cards and upgradability also favor Windows-based computers.

Supported architectures:

Intel Microprocessors x86 & x86-64 Intel and AMD processors

Market Reach: Attracts graphic designers, video and music producers,

Wide reach to all stratas. Business users tend to use


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tech journalists, app developers etc.

Windows hardware due to compatibility.

Latest stable release:

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion Windows 8

User: Home users and Business (mainly in the creative department)

Home users and Business

Virus Attacks: Since Macs are not as popular as PCs, there are fewer malware written to target Macs, although the threat of malicious software is growing, like from Java.

Being the popular desktop choice, most virus writers target Windows systems. But Linux and others have less.

System Software:

Macintosh Operating System; also allows Windows.

Various versions of Windows operating system. Using Linux and associated partitioning software, you can install many Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD distributions alongside your current Windows installation.

Supported Versions (Mainstream) as of 11/2012:

Mac OS X 10.6, OS X 10.7, 10.8 (Apple dropped the 'Mac' prefix with the release of Mountain Lion and lion also changed later)

Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, Windows 8


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Performance: Since Apple have controlled the hardware & software bundles and model updates, so every Mac operates smoothly without worry on lagging, incompatibles. And have stable and expected performance

Different OEMs and even custom build PCs might not have the suitable drivers released for every components in each OS version, incompatibles, lagging may occur. Maybe cannot reach expected performance

Repairs: Any knowledgeable person can perform repairs and upgrades. Local computer-help stores can also be contacted for repairs. AppleCare can extend the warranty

Any knowledgeable person can perform repairs and upgrades. Local computer-help stores can also be contacted for repairs. OEMs and component shops provides limited warranty

Programs and apps:

Same as gaming, limited choice due to user range and less developer powers

Same as gaming, excess choice due to user range and large developer powers

Piracy Prevention:

Since each mac have a unique serial, no activation required and OS X allowed for Mac hardware only, so Apple does not put much force on genuine checking

Windows have a unique activation key for each package distribution, and lots of custom and OEM PC appears, so genuine checking become important. Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD is free and no need for this

Documents

Hardware Components of a Notebook