Notebook computers have light volume and weight, so users can easily carry a notebook computer to work on documents any time. Since a battery is included, the notebook computer can be used while traveling or even in an area where no external power source is supplied. Laptop computers are extremely popular for users who travel a lot or who need to take their computer to a work site. Laptop or notebook computers are used extensively by people that seek computer availability while traveling and at a variety of destinations. As the computing power is increased and a wireless communication is available in line with the development of technology, notebook computers have become the computer of choice for many who find its use necessary much of the time and continue use even in a permanent office environment, both from habit and the fact that much of their user data is on that device. Various notebook or laptop computers are widely available, from manufacturers including, for example, Lenovo, Dell, Compaq, IBM, Apple, NEC, Toshiba, etc.

Laptop computers are basically comprised of a base structure or main portion and a display monitor pivotally attached to one another. The main portion includes a central processor, a motherboard, a memory, a CD-ROM drive, and hard discs. The motherboard is the base of the computer system, which usually contains a controller chip set, several slots for installing the interface cards, a central processing unit (CPU) and several memory module slots for accommodating the memory modules. A typical laptop computer may contain a similar processor to a desktop computer, but within a much smaller enclosure. Recent increases in processor speed and decreases in memory cost, memory size and processor power consumption have allowed portable computers to operate at increased performance levels. Notebook computer systems typically include a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory. Generally, information is stored and maintained in one or more of a number of types of storage devices such as  hard disk drives, compact disk drives and corresponding media, digital video disk (DVD) drives, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), double data rate memory (DDR), flash memory, read only memory (ROM), and the like. The base typically includes a primary input device, such as a keyboard, and a secondary input device, such as a computer mouse, roller ball or touch pad. Computer storage media devices such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, removable hard disks, compact disks (CD), digital versatile disks (DVD), tape drives, smart cards, and PCMCIA cards are employed in laptop computer systems.

The notebook computer can be connected to various peripheral devices to expand functions of the notebook computer. Input/output ports and one or more compartments are installed for receiving PC cards and for enabling the computer to be electrically coupled to other devices (such as digital cameras, camcorders, web cameras, microphones, mouse, printer, scanner) and communication links (e.g., telephone lines). The peripheral ports allow the central processing unit to communicate with computer peripheral devices such as a computer mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, scanner, etc. Modular peripheral units such as a floppy drive, hard drive, CD-ROM drive and modem or other PC card are readily installed and removed from the laptop compartment. Such peripheral ports include serial ports, parallel ports and the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port which provides a data transmission path that can carry up to 12 megabits per second of data. By utilizing a USB hub, multiple devices may be coupled to a single USB port of a computer. As such, a computer mouse, keyboard, etc., may be coupled to a USB hub and then coupled through a single cable to the USB port of the computer. The USB port may be also coupled to a USB/infrared dongle that provides infrared transmissions with peripheral devices. As wireless transmission technology develops, notebook computers no longer have to connect with a wired network to use network functions. Notebook computers generally are equipped with antennas so as to wirelessly transmit or receive signals through the antenna. There are two types of antennas used with notebook computers, an internal-type and an external-type. Internal-type antennas are more popular due to factors such as portability and utility. Internal antennas are usually installed in the monitor to increase efficiency.

The biggest difference between notebook computers and desktop computers is their display devices. The display device on a notebook computer has to be small, light, thin and consume less electrical power. In monitors for laptops, liquid crystal panels (LCD) are widely used for the purpose of high-luminance and high-contrast display. Generally, the display devices used in notebook computer is composed of the display panel having a pixel matrix and panel driving circuits for driving the display panel. Liquid crystal displays utilize such variations in optical properties to display an image. The LCD monitor has advantages of low power consumption and low electromagnetic wave radiation over conventional display devices which use cathode ray tubes (CRT). LCD monitors commonly include an interface circuitry which converts analog video signals inputted from the system host into digital video signals. These panel driving circuits drive the pixel matrix so that picture information processed in a central processing unit (CPU) is displayed on the display panel. A laptop computer is provided with an LCD on/off switch to initiate automatic turn on/off the power supply for the monitor. The display device is rotatably attached to the main portion in order that the display portion can be opened and closed relative to the main portion by users. The display screen housing folds down against the keyboard where the two housings latch together. During use, the display is tilted at different angles over the body for optimal viewing. When the computer is not in use, the monitor is folded flat against the base, forming a compact package.

Audio systems are generally used for outputting audio signals of a laptop computer. A laptop computer includes audio processing circuitry which allows a computer to play CDs, DVDs, etc. and produce audible sound therefrom. The audio processing circuitry also receives digital audio signals from the computer, converts them to analog signals, and provides the analog signals to speakers via the line-out jack. The audio processing circuitry may also receive analog audio signals via the microphone audio jack and convert these analog signals into digital audio signals for processing by the computer. Laptop computers include three audio jacks to facilitate the processing of audio. The three jacks are typically labeled line-in, microphone, and line-out. ypically, a computer will include an audio codec to facilitate the processing of audio signals. The speaker of a notebook computer s designed to be built-in. The speakers are disposed inside the main housing and several sound through holes are disposed on the case to allow the sound to be transmitted from those holes.

For business people who have to travel frequently, notebook computers offer great value as they can work when traveling with rechargeable batteries. The power supply for notebook computers is generally NiMH or NiCd batteries. A battery powered laptop computer operates for an extended period of time under battery power before the battery is either recharged. Some types of batteries can last three to four hours. A few types can even last up to ten hours. Alternatively, notebook computers may be powered from an external power source, such as an alternating current (AC) power source. Various types of cursor control or pointing device systems for computer are in common use for notebooik computers. They include the mouse, trackball, touchpad, touchscreen, joystick, glide point and pointing stick. A pointing stick typically takes the form of a short stick, often with a rubber tip, protruding perpendicularly from the surface of the portable computer. A glide point typically takes the form of a plate embedded in the portable computer surface that is sensitive to the touch of a finger. A glide point can detect the finger through a variety of means, including capacitive sensors, resistance sensors and pressure sensors.