CompTIA exam study guide presentations by instructor Brian Ferrill, PACE-IT (Progressive, Accelerated Certifications for Employment in Information Technology) "Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53" Learn more about the PACE-IT Online program: www.edcc.edu/pace-it

1. The laptop display.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
Areas of expertise Industry Certifications
 PC Hardware
 Network Administration
 IT Project Management
 Network Design
 User Training
 IT Troubleshooting
Qualifications Summary
Education
 M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University
 B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University
Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger
with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues
into efficient and effective solutions.
Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse
workforces, improving processes, analyzing
business needs and creating the solutions
required— with a focus on technology.

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PACE-IT.
– Display types.
– Other laptop display topics.

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The laptop display.

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All laptops use some form of
flat panel display and most
of them will get the job done
in a reasonable manner.
However, that doesn’t mean that all laptop displays
are equal. All of the available types have their own
benefits. But—as with all things—if there is an
upside, there is also a downside. It is up to the user
to decide which type is the right one for them.
The laptop display.

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The laptop display.
– Liquid crystal display (LCD).
» Basically composed of a liquid crystal solution that is placed
between two sheets of polarizing material and a fluorescent
backlight.
• An electrical current is used to change the orientation of the
liquid crystals which then refract light differently.
• On their own, liquid crystals do not emit any light; what the
user sees is the refracted light from the fluorescent backlight.
» Pros: inexpensive, lightweight, and relatively low power
consumption.
» Cons: color representations may be incorrect and, as the liquid
crystals don’t emit any light of their own, they may not be the
best solution for a bright environment.
– Light-emitting diode (LED) display
» The only difference between these and an LCD is that the
fluorescent backlight is replaced with an LED backlight.
» They have the same pros and cons as the LCD.

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The laptop display.
– Plasma display.
» The screen is composed of millions of gas filled cells. An
electrical current is used to cause the cells to fluoresce and
emit a colored light.
» Pros: great color, fast response, and work well in bright
environments.
» Cons: heavier than LCD or LED displays, more expensive, and
consume more power than other types of displays.
– Organic light-emitting diode display.
» The screen is composed an organic compound film, which is
luminescent when a current is applied.
• When current is applied to the film, it lights up and presents
the image on the display’s surface.
» Pros: great color, fast response, work well in bright
environments, and have very low power consumption.
» Cons: much more expensive.

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The laptop display.

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The laptop display.
– The backlight.
» LCDs use a fluorescent backlight.
• The fluorescent backlight requires AC power, so an
inverter is used to convert the DC battery power to AC
for the backlight.
» LED displays use an LED backlight.
• The LED backlight requires DC power, eliminating the
need for the inverter.
» LCD and LED displays may develop backlight problems,
leading to a dark screen.
• The backlight itself may fail or, in an LCD, the inverter
may stop working.
• To troubleshoot a backlight issue, use a flashlight.
Shine it on the screen and, if you can see an image,
then there is an issue with the backlight. If no image can
be seen, then the issue is with the actual display.

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It is not uncommon for there
to be more in the laptop
cover than just the display.
The cover is also the most popular place to put Web
cams with their associated wiring and circuitry. If the
laptop comes with wireless capabilities—either
802.11 or Bluetooth—it is also the most likely place
for the antenna placement. In these situations, the
manufacturers try to run the antennas and wires
around the edges of the display.
The laptop display.

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The laptop display.
LCDs refract light from a fluorescent backlight to place an image on the
screen. LED displays use an LED backlight to achieve the same result.
Plasma displays use millions of fluorescent cells to produce the image; they
also offer better color, but at a higher cost in dollars and power
consumption. OLED use a luminescent organic compound to produce a
great image, but they are the most expensive option.
Topic
Display types.
Summary.
A fluorescent backlight requires AC power. An inverter is used to transform
the laptop’s DC power into the required AC voltages. An LED backlight
doesn’t require the use of an inverter. It is not uncommon for laptops to
develop display issues—the most common being problems with the
backlight. Using a flashlight is the fastest method of diagnosing this
problem. Antennas and cameras are commonly placed next to the display.
Other laptop display topics.

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THANK YOU!

13. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the
U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was
created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.
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assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including
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information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability
or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.
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available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing
impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call
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