Laptops are what we commonly see as hand held computers.

They are/have (compared to desktops):
(1) Very light weight
(2) Easy to handle
(3) Expensive
(4) Less Noisy
(5) Limited Battery Life
(6) Lower Energy Consumption

Laptops (similarly to desktops) consist of:
1) Graphics Card
2) Chassis

3) Keyboard
4) Motherboard
5) Optical drive
6) Display

So how does laptops actually work?

The Processor (the BRAIN):

1) can receive instructions or data through a keyboard in combination with another device (mouse).
2) displays data to you on computer monitors.
3) sends data to external mechanisms through various input/output ports.
4) has a set of internal instructions stored in memory, and can access memory for its own use while working.

Memory & Storage (the Brain Cells):

1) Cache memory on or very near the CPU makes up for slower processor speeds
2) Swappable drives
3) Generally Smaller Hard disk drive (in size and space)

Display & Sound (the Physical Organs):
1) Small GPUs (Graphic Processing Units)
2) GPUs share memory with the CPU to reduce space and energy consumption
3) Small Built-in speakers

Power Supplies (the Heart):
1) Runs on batteries when not attached to a power source
2) Has a battery life of around 5 hours
3) Eg. are Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and LiIon batteries.

References:
http://www.laptopworldwide.com /ri/howlaptopswork/fact.htm#1
http://communication.howstuffw orks.com/laptop2.htm

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