How Laptops are Similar to Desktop Computers
Microprocessor

Like regular desktops, laptops are powered by microprocessors. A typical laptop processor is customized for lowered power consumption and heat production. The processors are designed to run at a lower voltage and have multiple sleep or slow-down modes that increase battery life considerably. The most popular laptop processors in the market are Motorola's PowerPC (used in Apple Macintosh computers), and Intel's Pentium and Celeron and AMD's K5 and K6 (used in PCs).

Operating System

It is the system software that directly controls and manages hardware and basic system operations. Additionally, an operating system provides a foundation for the functioning of application software.

Various operating systems available today are:

Microsoft Windows: The Microsoft Windows family covers round 90% of the worldwide desktop market share. Various versions include Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, NT and XP.

Mac OS: Macintosh Operating System was developed by Apple Computers, Inc. for Mackintosh Computers. Mac OS X is the latest version available in the market.

MS-DOS: Developed by Microsoft in 1981, Microsoft-Disk Operating System is used on the PC compatible platform; although, it is gradually being replaced with various generations of the Windows operating system. Its forerunner, CP/M (Control Program/Monitor) was used in a few laptops manufactured in the early 1980s.

UNIX-based: UNIX was originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s by a group of AT&T Bell Labs employees. These days it represents a diverse group of operating systems including System V, BSD and Linux.