the laptop computer (5)

the laptop computer Disadvantages

Parts standardization and compatibility issues

Current compatibility problems in the laptop trade are reflective of the early era of personal

computer hardware, when there were many different manufacturers, each and every one of

them having their own connectivity and mounting systems and incompatibility was the norm.

While there are accepted world standards of form factors for all the peripherals and add-in PC

cards used in the desktop computers, there are still no firm worldwide standards relating to

today's laptops' internal form factors, such as supply of electric voltage, motherboard layouts,

internal adapters used in connecting the optical drive, LCD cable, keyboard and floppy drive to

the main board. Most affected by this are users uneducated in the relevant fields, especially if

they attempt to connect their laptops with incompatible hardware or power adapters.

Some hard drives and memory are commodity items and are interchangeable. However, other

parts such as motherboards, keyboards, and batteries are proprietary in design and are only

interchangeable within a manufactures brand and/or model line.

A significant point to note is that the vast majority of laptops on the market are manufactured by

a small handful of Original Design Manufacturers (ODM).[19] The ODM matters more than the

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

article source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop