Laptops differ from desktops in the following features:

Laptops differ from desktops
in the following features:
• power supply
• displays
• input devices
• docking connections Power SupplyLike desktops, laptops can be plugged into the wall to receive AC power from the electric power grid through an AC adapter. But what makes the laptop unique is that it is portable; so, laptops are also powered by batteries. All laptops use some type of rechargeable battery (lithium, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride). The battery life varies depending on the type of rechargeable battery (lithium batteries tend to hold their charge longer) and how you use your computer (frequent use of disk drives consumes a lot of battery power). In addition to the main battery, laptops have other batteries to run clocks and backup CMOS RAM. Many laptop computer models have power management software to extend the battery life, or conserve battery power when the battery is low. You may notice that as your battery gets low, your laptop runs slower. This effect is typically the result of internal power management software, and indicates that you should plug in the computer's AC adapter, or quit and re-charge your battery. DisplaysAll laptops have some type of LCD display screen. Laptop LCD displays can be:
• 12 to 15 inches
• black-and-white (16 grayscale) or color (65,536 colors)
• passive or active matrix - active matrix displays have sharper images and are easier to read
• reflective or backlit - backlit screens are good for low-level room lighting conditions Modern laptop computers have 800 x 600 pixel resolution, which makes for a clear screen; anything less than this resolution should be avoided. Input DeviceFor a desktop computer, you typically use a keyboard and mouse to enter data. However, because using a mouse takes up room, other devices are built into laptops to take its place. Laptops come with one of three input devices: • trackball - rotating the ball allows you to move the cursor on the LCD screen
• trackpoint - pushing your finger over the point allows you to move the cursor
• touchpad - moving your finger across the pad allows you to move the cursor All of these devices have buttons that act like the right and left buttons on a mouse. Also, most laptops have a port that allows you to hook up a mouse to your laptop if you wish. Docking ConnectionsSome people find that it is difficult or uncomfortable to use a laptop at their desk. The screen may be too small to see adequately. The keyboard may be slightly smaller than a standard keyboard. The touch pad may not be as comfortable to use as a mouse. Perhaps they want to have access to more than one type of disk drive. To make the laptop more convenient for desktop use, the docking station was invented. The docking station has several peripheral devices (full-size computer monitor, full-size keyboard, mouse, disk drives, printer) connected to it. You just plug your laptop into the station to use it as a desktop computer; in other words, you make one connection to your laptop instead of many. Most laptops have a docking connection.