CompTIA A_ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition - Michael Meyers [370]
Hard Drives
SATA drives in the 2.5-inch drive format now rule in all laptops. Although much smaller than regular, 3.5-inch hard drives, they use all the same features and configurations. These smaller hard drives have suffered, however, from diminished storage capacity as compared to their 3.5-inch brothers. Currently, large 2.5-inch hard drives hold up to 1 TB, while the 3.5-inch hard drives can hold more than 2 TB of data! Some PATA drive manufacturers may require you to set the drive to use a cable-select setting as opposed to master or slave, so check with the laptop maker for any special issues. Otherwise, no difference exists between 2.5-inch drives and their larger 3.5-inch brethren (Figure 21-23).
Modular CPUs
You know from Chapter 5, “Microprocessors,” that both AMD and Intel make specialized laptop CPUs that produce less heat and consume less power, yet only now are folks realizing that they can sometimes upgrade their laptops by removing the old CPU and replacing it with a new one. Be very careful to follow manufacturer’s specifications! You should keep in mind, however, that replacing the CPU in a laptop often requires you to disassemble the entire machine. This can be a daunting task, even for professionals. If you want to upgrade the CPU in your laptop, it’s often best to let the professionals take care of it.
Figure 21-23 The 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch drives are mostly the same.
Video Cards
Some video card makers make modular video cards for laptops. Although no single standard works in all systems, a quick phone call to the tech support department of the laptop maker often reveals upgrade options (if any). Modular video cards are the least standardized of all modular components, but as manufacturers adopt more industry-wide standards, we’ll be able to replace video cards in laptops more readily.
Going Inside
To reach most modular components on a laptop, you need to do more than remove an exterior panel. You need to go inside to get access to devices directly connected to the motherboard. Many laptops have an easily removable keyboard that, once removed, gives you access to a metal heat spreader (just a plate that sits over the motherboard) and a half-dozen or more tiny screws. You’ll need a special screwdriver to avoid stripping the screws—check a watch or eyeglass shop if your local hardware store doesn’t carry anything appropriate.
You need to take major precautions when you remove the keyboard and heat spreader. The keyboard will be attached to a small cable that can easily disconnect if you pull hard. Don’t forget to check this connection before you reinsert the keyboard at the end of the procedure! Avoid ESD as you would with any other PC, and definitely unplug the laptop from the wall and remove the battery before you do any work inside!
Modular Drives
To add functionality to laptops, many manufacturers include “modular drives” with their portable machines. CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Disc drives are most common. The beauty of modular drives is that you can swap back and forth easily between different types of drives. Need more storage space? Pull out the DVD drive and put in another hard drive. Many laptops enable you to replace a drive with a second battery, which obviously can extend the time you can go before you have to plug the laptop into an AC outlet.
I have a laptop that allows me to swap out my CD/DVD drive for a second battery. If I don’t need to access any CDs and don’t need super-extended battery life, I just take out the component that’s currently installed and put a blank faceplate into the empty slot. Traveling with an empty bay makes my hefty laptop weigh a little bit less, and every little bit helps!
Most modular drives are truly hot-swappable, enabling you to