A laptop’s motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) inside the laptop that contains the components that make the computer work. Most desktop computer cases are similar in size and use similar configurations, allowing them to use the same types of motherboards. However, laptops come in many sizes and configurations, which means that several different motherboard models are needed.
A computer motherboard.
A motherboard, sometimes called a system board, is included in all types of computers. Motherboards almost always contain chip sockets, memory slots, firmware chips, and a power connector. Various electrical connectors are etched into the motherboard to connect various system components. Several major components are located on the motherboard, including the central processing unit (CPU), the chipset, the main random access memory (RAM) area, and various other chips and connectors.
A dual core CPU mounted on a motherboard.
Laptop computers, also called notebooks and netbooks, are designed to be mobile. A battery or power adapter provides electrical power for a laptop. A laptop is typically not as powerful or as easy to reconfigure with upgraded components as a desktop.
Significantly thinner and smaller than a desktop computer, a laptop motherboard should also be smaller. With a smaller motherboard, the components need to be closer together, which means the layout of the laptop motherboard is extremely important. A poorly designed motherboard can cause problems with heat buildup or interference between components. Laptop motherboards can also be oddly shaped or have multiple indentations, allowing them to fit inside the thin laptop case, along with other necessary components. Desktop motherboards are mostly rectangular with few notches.
Compared to a desktop motherboard, a laptop motherboard has some significant differences. For example, a laptop motherboard may have no expansion slots, while a desktop motherboard may have five or more. Instead of using expansion slots and expansion cards for things like sound or network cards, a laptop motherboard would include these components directly on the motherboard and are called integrated components.
For those who build their own computers, finding a suitable motherboard for a desktop computer is a fairly easy process. Many companies sell a desktop motherboard to DIY computer manufacturers, but it is difficult to find a laptop motherboard in the DIY market. This lack of standardization in laptop motherboards can make building a laptop from scratch quite a complex process.
A graphics card can be used to improve gaming performance.
