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How is a Laptop Made? (From Idea to Final Product)

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Laptops are adored for their incredible lightweight build and unbeatable portability. They are a much more reliable option in comparison to desktop computers. Thanks to their uncommon ability to store power, eliminating any worry that might come with unprecedented blackouts. 

Yet, how are these magnificent pieces of technology put together? It is a question that most tech lovers grapple with. If you are looking for answers about how a laptop gets made, you came to the right spot. 


A Step-By-Step Procedure to Making a Laptop


Laptop design

Every computer model is designed differently. Therefore, engineers must develop an ideal design before building or assembling a computer. Product design specialists come in at this stage. They must specify the computer’s outward outlook, material, and memory capacity, among other finer details. 

Apart from the computer itself, the designers have to develop a design for other components utilized in the computer. This includes processor chips, the hard drive, and battery, among others. The design team must ensure that every laptop component is crafted to work in perfect coordination with each other. 


Raw Materials Gathering

After getting through the design procedure, which defines the materials needed for the laptop, the next stage is to gather all the necessary materials together. A typical laptop features a wide range of materials, whether artificial or natural, with unique properties to facilitate seamless functionality. 

The laptop will include polymers, carbon, steel, glass, ore, gold, and other unique materials. Most of these materials get sourced from other countries. Similarly, computer-making companies can opt to have the components in foreign locations for convenience and later assemble them.


The CPU

It is part of a computing system charged with retrieving and executing commands. CPU, or the central processing unit, is the most critical component in a laptop. Silicon is the primary ingredient in making the CPU. 

Pure silicon is extracted from silicon or sand after undergoing purification. Pure silicon crystals then get sliced into wafers which are then crafted into circuit boards. Computer circuit boards accommodate transistors and resistors and numerous other memory chips and microprocessors. 

Apart from silicon, the CPU also incorporates copper. Copper is preferred for its minimal electron resistance in comparison to other metals. Photolithography is performed on a silicon wafer in conjunction with copper to develop a CPU. 


Circuit Boards

The circuit board features exceptionally crafted slots onto which other computer components such as the hard drive, GPU, and CPU fit. Likewise, the mother hoard links different peripherals like the monitor, mouse, and keyboard to each other. 

Essentially, the circuit board undertakes the essential communication, processing, and interaction between different computer components. The motherboard and other circuit boards encompass laptops. 

The circuit boards include copper foil patterns to facilitate smooth signal transmission between components. 


Display

There are different types of displays utilized in making laptops. That could be either LED or LCD. The LCD is characterized by a double glass sheet with one layer containing transistor and silicon parts. The other glass layer features transistor cells that consolidate to form a sturdy indium tin oxide layer. 

On the flip side, LED screens include two parts. That is a combination of controllers and the primary display body. The display body comes with display panel units composed of light-emitting materials. 

Laptops deliver different display qualities depending on price. Premium variants provide as much as 1920 X 1080 pixels, while cheaper models can give a decent display standard of 1366 X 768 pixels. 


Hardware Assembly

When the components and other vital components have been designed and created, the next stage is putting them together. On many occasions, laptop manufacturers will source the parts from different factories. Every laptop is assembled according to the model specifications. 

A conveyer belt comes in handy during the assembly stage, where technicians are charged with handling different components. In addition to that, the details come equipped with serial numbers for effortless identity. 


Installing Software

 Every brand new laptop comes with software like the preloaded operating system. Remember, purchasing software like the operating system, photo viewer, and browser can be costly and time-consuming. 

Another reason for preloading software is to make the laptops usable right off the shelf. When every component is securely installed in the laptop and works fine, the gadget is taken to the software installation spot. 


Test Run

Laptops are not taken directly to the stores or shelves after software installation. Technicians still have to keep track of the laptop’s performance and functionality before readying it for sale. Each computer will be tested individually to ascertain its working order and reveal potential faults. 

At this point, a particular batch may be recalled in the event of recurrent problems. Computer test runs are then conducted through a process called burn-in. Under the process, the laptop will be turned on and then allowed to run undisturbed for a long while. 

It is an essential procedure to help detect errors set off by high temperatures. When a mistake has been discovered, it is rectified before releasing the laptop into the market. 


FAQs

How much does a brand new laptop cost? 

The brand and quality mainly guide laptop price in terms of specifications. The price could be as low as $200 and even go as high as five grand. That depends on the level of sophistication. If you are in the market for a laptop with essential features like playing music and watching movies, the price range could fall between $200 and $300. 

If you need a model capable of handling daily work and playing mid-intensity games, you may have to spend between $400 and $600. An ideal laptop of this caliber should have integrated HD graphics and about 4G in terms of RAM and an I3 processor.  

If you want a laptop that can effortlessly run heavy games and programs, you will have to spend more. Laptops with the capacity to run AutoCAD and other significant software demand better processing power with a minimum RAM of 8GB, a 2GB graphics card, and an i5 processor. The price could range from $600 to a grand and beyond. 

Where are laptops manufactured?

Essentially, laptops get manufactured in a single place. Different companies manufacture different components like the battery, fan, keyboard, and motherboards at separate sites. The location at which each of the pieces gets created depends on raw material availability and labor cost. 

For instance, China is a favorite manufacturing spot for many tech companies like Apple, owing to cheap labor. However, in the end, the different parts are sourced and gathered at one point where they are assembled to make a complete laptop. 

What material is utilized in making laptops?

A typical is made up of numerous components that feature different materials. Each material is chosen because of a specific special trait-like insulation or conductivity. Therefore, the laptop will have metals, semiconductors, composites, assorted plastics, etc. 

The housing or outer case of the laptop incorporates magnesium alloys or ABS plastic for durability. Lithium polymers are used for the battery, while the hard drives and other hardware incorporate steel and aluminum. The ceramic metal of exotic nature is used in crucial electronic parts, to mention a few. 


Conclusion

We hope you now have a better understanding of how a laptop is made. Comprehending how this unique invention works will help you appreciate the gadget even more. It will also help you diagnose standard software or hardware glitches on your portable computer.

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Pigtou Editorial Team

A group of tech enthusiasts who find pleasure in troubleshooting and resolving various issues. When we're not engaged in writing, we typically enjoy playing table football or spending time with our office dog.
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