Reference
Reference
This page explains, in plain language, the words you'll come across in user manuals, on manufacturers' websites and when talking to a technician. The definitions are short and don't aim for technical completeness: their job is to help you read instructions with confidence and ask the right questions when your laptop needs help.
A technician can help an owner who can describe the problem in words much more easily. “The hinge creaks” and “the display flickers” save time for both of you.
Case and screen
- Hinge
- The moving joint that connects the lid to the base of the laptop. It doesn't like jerky movements or having the device lifted by the screen, so open and close the lid smoothly.
- Display panel
- The laptop screen itself: a thin panel that shows the image. It's sensitive to pressure, so don't wipe it hard or leave objects trapped against it when the lid is closed.
- Vents
- Openings in the case through which the laptop draws in cool air and blows out hot air. If they're blocked or clogged with dust, the device starts to overheat.
- Ports
- Connectors on the sides for cables, flash drives and headphones. Insert plugs straight and without force, and don't leave cables pulled taut, or the socket may work loose.
Power
- Battery
- The built-in battery that lets you work without an outlet. It handles heat and severe cold poorly, and for long-term storage it's usually recommended to leave it partly charged.
- Power adapter
- The charger brick and cable that charge the laptop from an outlet. It's best to use the adapter that came with it or one your model's manufacturer recommends.
- Sleep mode
- A state in which the laptop pauses its work without fully shutting down. Handy for short breaks, but not suitable for cleaning or for carrying in a tightly closed bag.
Repairs
- Diagnostics
- A check a repair shop runs to find the cause of a problem before any repair begins. A trustworthy shop shares the results and agrees on next steps with the owner.
- Manufacturer's warranty
- The maker's promise to fix factory defects for a set period of time. To keep it valid, hold on to the receipt and documents and don't open the case yourself.
- Written record of work
- A document in which the repair shop states exactly what was done to the device. It comes in handy if the problem returns and you need to go back.
- Backup
- A copy of important files kept separately from the laptop: on an external drive or in cloud storage. It keeps your data safe if the laptop breaks, is stolen or you make a mistake.
Where these words come in handy
- Guides
A hands-on article on cleaning the outside of a laptop without damaging anything, plus the article catalogue.
- Questions
Short answers about habits, heat and fan noise, accidents, and taking your laptop to a repair shop.
- Topics
The four topics of this reference: everyday handling, cleaning and cooling, battery and power, travel and storage.
- Collections
Reading paths for students, for business travelers and for families where a child uses the laptop.
Read next
- Questions
Short answers about habits, heat and fan noise, accidents, and taking your laptop to a repair shop.
- Guides
A hands-on article on cleaning the outside of a laptop without damaging anything, plus the article catalogue.
- New
What's new in the reference: publication dates, topics and a quick note on why each page is useful.
Sources
- Laptop manufacturers' user manuals (general terms)
- Manufacturers' battery care recommendations (general terms)
- Editorial materials of this reference
Information is current as of the date this page was prepared. Laptops from different manufacturers are built differently, so before you do anything with your device, check the user manual for your specific model and follow it.