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When you buy a laptop, you can't open it up to make changes or add parts. Everything has to be done from the outside. One type of external enhancement that you can make comes in the form of plug-ins. Plug-ins slide into pockets, bays, and enclosed slots, and travel with the laptop. In most cases they're locked into place with a latch or a screw. (They're still external to the innards of the case.)
Modern laptops typically come with one or more bays to allow easy interchange, replacement, or upgrade of certain components such as the following:
- Memory compartment: Most machines come with a basic block of RAM and let you install one, two, and occasionally three additional modules into connectors, which you access from the bottom of the case. These modules are usually industry-standard sizes and shapes; you don't ordinarily have to buy memory that bears the logo of the manufacturer of your laptop. Be sure, though, to exactly follow the required specifications.
- Battery compartment: Your laptop comes with a battery, and depending on your patterns of use, it may last for three to five years before it fails or no longer holds a charge long enough to make it useful. You can purchase a replacement battery from your laptop manufacturer or a third party. Some users go to the trouble of buying and charging a second battery to take with them on long airline trips or for other situations where they might not be able to recharge the device or run the laptop from AC current.
 | - Hard drive compartment: Many laptop makers now attach their storage disks to quick-connect, quick-remove pockets or bays. This allows easy upgrading or replacement of a failed unit. As with other components, you may be able to obtain a replacement drive from sources other than the laptop manufacturer. Be sure to follow all instructions about removal and installation procedures; in almost every machine, you should never remove the hard drive while the laptop is powered up. The drive is usually locked in place with one or two small screws.
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- Optical drive compartment: Some manufacturers make it easy for you to remove and replace the CD or DVD drive. You may be limited in your options for replacement here because of nonstandard carriers or connectors used by some makers, and you also must have the proper software driver to work with the machine. The drive is almost always held in place by several small screws.
 | - WiFi module compartment: You may find access to a small compartment that holds a matchbook-size circuit board that serves as a transmitter and receiver for wireless communication. Most manufacturers advise users against even opening the compartment because of regulations set by the FCC meant to limit spurious radio frequency emissions. Check instructions carefully before you consider removing or replacing this circuit board.
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- PC Card slot: Most laptops can accept one or two credit-card-size enhancements here. The range of devices you can install here include WiFi transceivers for laptops that don't have built-in facilities, tiny hard drives, modems, Ethernet network interfaces, and many other devices.
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