A laptop's hinge and body are important parts of the device that allow it to function properly: Hinge A laptop's hinge is a small mechanical part that connects the screen to the base of the laptop. It's usually made of metal and has a mechanism that allows the lid to open and close smoothly. Hinges can be damaged by physical impact or wear and tear. Body Also known as the case or shell, the body of a laptop is typically made of plastic or aluminum. The size of the body is usually determined by the screen and the motherboard's components. Here are some other things to know about laptops: Design Laptops are designed to be portable and have a clamshell form factor. The screen folds down over the keyboard for carrying. Components Laptops typically have a screen, keyboard, pointing device, speakers, microphone, and camera. Power Laptops are powered by a built-in rechargeable battery, but they can also be plugged in to use and recharge at the same time. Operating system Most laptops run on desktop operating systems, which were originally developed for desktop computers.