Just like a desktop computer, basically, a laptop consists of several parts such as a display monitor, keyboard, DVD drive, input-output port, and components contained in the casing such as a processor, hard drive, and memory. But in contrast to desktop computers, which we can easily dismantle the casing, to be able to see the internal components of this laptop, we must open the laptop case more carefully. To get to know more closely the parts of the laptop and their functions, in this article we will take the example of the Dell Vostro 131 laptop.

The Dell Vostro laptop is a laptop intended for business and professional circles, so the features contained in this laptop are quite complete. Although each laptop has different specifications and components contained therein, in general, each laptop has the same parts and components. Here are the common parts of a laptop and their functions:

Front View of laptops

• microphone, as a tool to continue voice input
• camera (webcam) is useful in chat or video configuration
• camera status light, when the application software is using the webcam, this light will be active
• display, to display objects on the screen, functions the same as CRT / LCD monitors on desktop computers.
• Windows Mobility Center (optional)
• Dell Support Center (shortcut key to dell website)
• Dell Instant Launch Manager
• network connector or RJ45 port, for network connections using cables
• VGA connector, useful for displaying the monitor screen to other devices such as projectors or when working with 2 monitors
• USB 3.0 connectors (2)
• headphone and microphone combo connector
• fingerprint reader, by using an additional application, this fingerprint sensor will be useful as a substitute for a computer login password.
• speakers (2)
• touchpad functions to move the cursor on the screen, drag and drop just like a mouse
• touchpad buttons (2), functions the same as right-clicking and left-clicking on the mouse
• device status lights
• Touchpad disables LED, on this Dell Vostro 131 we can easily decorate the touchpad by pressing the bbb button. When the touchpad is not active, this indicator light will light up.
• A keyboard, just like a desktop computer, is an input device that sends characters
• the power button, to turn off and turn on the laptop.
• Back View Dell Vostro 131
• security cable slot
• battery
• power connector,
• HDMI connector, for connection to devices that use an HDMI port
• USB 2.0 connector with USB PowerShare
• cooling vents, as a drain for exhaust air from the processor fan
• memory card reader

Bottom Dell Vostro 131

At the bottom of a laptop, generally, we can find a laptop battery, hard disk, and memory, as well as a cd key windows sticker (if when buying a laptop it has been bundled with a windows operating system). Below is a picture of the bottom of the Dell Vostro 131 laptop, were in this section to find the hard drive and memory components we have to open the cover.

• Laptop battery, as a provider of power supply resources
• Hard disk, is a storage place for our data or files
• Memory, to temporarily store data that will be processed by the Processor

Inside Dell Vostro

The last part of a laptop is the inside of the laptop. Just like a desktop computer, the inside of this laptop consists of the core components of a laptop such as the BIOS battery, processor, and additional cards such as WIFI cards and Graphic cards as well as the cooling section (fan & heatsink) arranged on the laptop motherboard. The image below shows the inside of the Dell Vostro 131 laptop, although it is not detailed, hopefully, it can be used as an overview of a laptop motherboard.

This is a brief overview of laptop parts in general, from the parts that appear from the outside to the inside of the laptop which is basically almost the same as the CPU part of a desktop computer only in a smaller and compact form.

Tips on How to Take Care of a Laptop Hard Drive

One of the hardware components on a laptop that needs special attention is the hard drive. The hard disk is a data storage place and where the operating system is installed. The type of hard drive that is commonly used in laptops today is a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive. Apart from having a large storage capacity, the price is also relatively inexpensive.

To optimize and prevent the hard drive from damage, below are some tips on how to care for the hard drive that we can do. It is hoped that by performing routine maintenance, our hard drives will be more durable, have optimal performance and our data is stored safely.

1. Always turn off the laptop properly.

The first thing we should always remember is “always turn off the laptop properly, by pressing the Shutdown button”. For that, avoid turning off the laptop by pressing the power button directly, check the laptop battery, don’t let the laptop suddenly die because it runs out of battery.

2. Keep the hard drive from shocks, don’t carry a laptop that is still alive

The hard disk is a hardware component that contains a layer of magnetic disks that can rotate at very high speed, for example, 7200 revolutions per minute (rpm) so it is very risky to shock, especially when the laptop is still alive, a collision on the laptop can tear the disc layer, which is called bad sector hard drive. Therefore, be careful when carrying a laptop, do not let the laptop be pressed by other objects, bumps, or even falls. 3. Run Disk Cleanup Disk Clean up is a built-in Windows tool that is useful for cleaning the contents of the hard disk from files that are no longer useful, such as temporary files, log files, and files in the recycle bin. To run this disk cleanup the method is:

Open a Windows Explorer window – Right-click on the hard drive you want to clean up (eg drive C) – Click Properties.

Click the Disk Cleanup button – wait a moment and after the Disk Cleanup window appears, select the files to be removed – Click OK

Perform hard drive maintenance by running this disk cleanup at least once a month.

3. Perform Disk Defragmenter

Disk Defragmenter is a Windows built-in tool that functions to rearrange the data stored on the hard drive. Run this disk defragmenter at least once a month so that your hard drive remains optimal. To run this tool the method is:

Open a Windows Explorer window – Right-click on the hard drive you want to defrag – Click Properties.

Click the Tools tab – In the Defragmentation section, click the “Defragment Now” button.

Select by clicking the Hardisk to defragment. To analyze whether the hard drive needs to be defragmented or not then click the Analyze Disk button. To immediately defrag click the Defragment Disk button.

If the status of the hard disk is 0% fragmented like the example of Drive D in the image above, then we don’t need to defrag the hard drive.