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. Laptop features.

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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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– Special function keys.
– Docking stations vs. port replicators.
– Portability issues.
PACE-IT.

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Laptop features.

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Laptops are a type of mobile
device that allow the user to
take a significant amount of
computing power to almost
any place.
This does come with some tradeoffs though. The
smaller form factor and portability mean that some
concessions and adaptations occur. Most often, the
laptop doesn’t have the same number of ports for
connecting devices as the desktop. Additionally, the
monitors and keyboards tend to be smaller.
On the plus side, many laptops have features built
into them that are not present in most desktop
computers.
Laptop features.

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– Additional keyboard features.
» Laptop manufacturers have added some capabilities and
options to laptops that are commonly accessed through the
keyboard.
» These features are typically engaged through using a special
function (Fn) key. Depressing the Fn key and then another key
will access the desired action. Some of these include the ability
to:
• Output the display to another monitor or projector.
• Turn up or down the volume.
• Adjust the screen brightness (which can result in either a
longer or shorter battery time).
• Turn on or off a keyboard backlight (useful for when working
in a dimly lit environment).
• Turn on or off Bluetooth connectivity.
• Turn on or off wireless networking capability.
» The Fn keys that are present, their placement, and their actual
function is determined by the manufacturer.
Laptop features.

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Laptop features.

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– Purpose.
» To extend or expand the functionality and capabilities of the
laptop.
• Because of the form factor, laptops often have less ports
available for peripheral devices to connect to and they tend to
have smaller displays.
– Docking stations.
» Transforming the laptop experience into more of a desktop
experience.
• Designed and built for a specific laptop. The laptop is placed
in the docking station, which offers a dedicated connection to
external peripherals (like a full size monitor, keyboard, and
mouse). Plugging the laptop into the docking station
automatically engages the desired peripherals.
– Port replicators.
» May be designed for the specific laptop or be more generic in
nature.
» Adds more available ports and options to the laptop.
Laptop features.

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Laptop features.

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– The problem.
» Laptops are very portable (almost the whole reason for their
existence), which makes them easy for a thief to steal.
– The solutions.
» Many laptop manufacturers have built lock slots into their
laptops.
• A cable (like a bicycle lock cable) is placed around a secure
object and then the special lock is inserted into the laptop’s
lock slot. This will not stop the determined thief, but it will
reduce the risk of loss.
» There are also add-on cable lock options.
• Work almost exactly the same as the built in lock slot.
» A tracking service (like LoJack).
• Tracking services will not stop the loss of a laptop; however,
they may help in the recovery of a stolen or lost laptop.
• Many tracking services offer more than just tracking. They
may also offer the ability to remote lock or wipe the device.
Laptop features.

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Laptop features.
Laptops offer special Fn keys with options that are not present in the
desktop. Examples include: the ability to output to different displays,
volume control, screen brightness control, keyboard backlight control, and
the ability to turn Bluetooth and wireless networking connectivity on and off.
Topic
Special function keys.
Summary
The docking station is built with a specific laptop in mind. The goal is to
make the laptop experience into more of a desktop computer experience.
The port replicator may be built for a specific laptop or it may be more
generic. The goal of the replicator is to offer more ports for connectivity than
are available on the laptop.
Docking stations vs. port
replicators.
Laptops are portable and tend to make easy targets for thieves.
Manufacturers often build in lock slots to be used with cable locks to help
deter theft. Add-on cable locks are also available. A tracking service may
not prevent a loss, but it can aid in the recovery of a lost laptop. Some
tracking services also offer the ability to remote lock or wipe the lost laptop.
Portability issues.

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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
any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the
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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