The screen is one of the input and output devices of computers, especially laptops, which function to display the output of the computing process on a laptop in the form of a graphical display. The screen is the most vital component of laptops and computers because it functions as a “link” between computer language and human language. For example, you want to know how to find out the bits of your laptop. Since modern computers were created, the screen has had this function, even though computers were still using CLI (Command Line Interface) based commands. Unlike computers and laptops, today that have implemented GUI (Graphical User Interface) based commands.

What is clear, laptop manufacturers can’t use CRT screens or tube screens as laptop components. The reason is only one because it is heavy. This is against the wishes of users who want a “computer” that can be carried anywhere. Therefore, all laptop manufacturers use thin screen technology as a laptop component. In fact, even the most sophisticated computers today also use screens with LED technology to display their computing results.

This thin screen technology is divided into two, namely LED and LCD. Well, often, people do not know the difference between LED and LCD because they both carry thin screen technology. People who are not familiar with the laptop’s hardware will be confused with the following questions: “What type of screen does my laptop use?” “Is it an LCD or LED, or even Slim LED?” “Can the LCD be used to replace my broken laptop LED?” or “Can the LED be used to replace my broken laptop LCD?”

Indeed, at first glance from the physical, LED, and LCD look the same. But apparently, there are differences between the two types of thin screen technology. To answer all the questions above, you need to know the difference between LEDs and LCDs. On this occasion, we will discuss the differences between LEDs and LCDs on laptops. Alright, let’s start the discussion:

LCD

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. From the word liquid in its abbreviation, you would have guessed that this LCD screen contains liquid. So, this LCD is composed of molecules of liquid crystal material, which, when aligned and electrified, the liquid can produce light.

In physical appearance, LCD is thicker than LED. Then, the cable slot extends. In addition, the LCD requires a lot of electricity consumption. The electrical power required by the LCD screen is around 22 Watt, and this number can vary depending on the size of the screen used. This makes an LCD screen on the laptop must be connected to the inverter unit. This is one of the reasons why laptops that still adopt LCD technology on the screen have an average battery life that cannot last long. The durability of a laptop battery that uses an LCD is only about one to two hours. In a way, the LCD is known to be wasteful of power.

The way the LCD works is that the screen is lit using a CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) tube. When the LCD screen is turned on, the fluorescent tube will form mercury vapor (mercury) low pressure. Although the mercury content in the LCD screen is low, the LCD is still less environmentally friendly because the mercury content still exceeds the minimum limit.

At the beginning of its appearance, the LCD screen has a thin size and is more energy-efficient when compared to a CRT screen or convex screen. LCD technology has also been used over time on TVs, cellphones, computer monitors, laptops, and other electronic devices. Despite this, the LCD does not present the best picture quality. However, for people at that time, the image quality produced by the LCD was quite good. LCD monitor function that can make the size of electronic devices smaller has become a technological sophistication at that time.

When asked about its durability, the LCD has a resistance of approximately 60,000 hours, or only has a life of up to 11 years, if used approximately 15 hours per day.

Manufacturers use LCDs since laptops were first produced in the 90s until around 2008 or 2009. Between these two years, laptop manufacturers have begun to abandon LCD technology and have begun switching to LED technology. If you buy a laptop from 2009 onwards, it is almost certain that the screen used is no longer using an LCD but is already using an LED.

LED

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. From this, you can interpret that the LED screen is a screen that consists of small tangible electronic diode components that can emit light. LED screens can emit visible light (as we normally see every day) and also that which cannot be seen (for example, such as infrared light used to see in complete darkness). LED (Light Emitting Diode) is a newer technology, more energy-efficient, and also clearer. However, LED is also a component that can emit light emission.

In a way, LED technology is the second generation screen technology used on laptops after LCD. The majority of laptop manufacturers now use LEDs because this technology has more economic power consumption than LCD. The power consumption of the LED screen is approximately 8 Watts, and this number can vary depending on the screen size. As discussed earlier, this is why the laptops output in 2009 and above have an average battery life that is more durable, or the term saves battery.

The way LED works starts from the discovery that electrons flowing in P-N connections also release energy in the form of light and heat energy. LEDs are made to further improve power efficiency when emitting light. To get light emission from semiconductors, LEDs use doping. Doping used is Gallium, Arsenic, and Phosphorus. Different types of doping will produce different colors of light, as well. Currently, the colors of light that are widely used are red, yellow, and green. Although there is a light blue diode, the color is very rare.

Besides saving energy, LED screens to have a much brighter and sharper picture quality than LCD screens. That is because the Dynamic Contrast Ratio on the LED screen is much larger than the LCD. The life of an LED screen is also quite long, which is approximately 100,000 hours, or 18 years if it is used approximately 15 hours per day.

If you look at it physically, you won’t find a significant difference between LCD and LED. Both have minimal thickness. The most obvious technological difference is that the inverter cable’s LED screen has not been used because, indeed, LED technology does not use an inverter.

From the explanation we have said, then we can draw conclusions about the differences between LEDs and LCDs on laptops:

1. LED technology is more economical in electricity consumption than LCD technology

2. The sharpness of the image on the LED screen is higher than the LCD

3. The LED material is more environmentally friendly

4. Longer lifespan for LEDs than LCDs.

5. In terms of Contrast Ratio, these two products have differences. Contrast Ratio is the distance between black and white. The farther the distance, the more real the picture.

6. LED screens are brighter and more realistic in color than LCD screens.

This is our article this time about the differences in LEDs and LCDs on laptops. Hopefully, this article can be your new knowledge about computer hardware, especially laptops. Perhaps, this difference is also one of the tips on choosing a laptop for graphic design. By the way, the cause of a blank laptop screen does not distinguish the screen technology used on your laptop. This is our article this time.

6 Differences Between LCD and LED on Laptops or Monitor PC