Common Building Block

Common Building Block is a set of standards for laptop components introduced by Intel in 2005, slowly being adopted by some manufacturers in 2006 (e.g. Zepto Computers).

Creation

In 2004, the CBB (Common Building Block) program promoted the use of industry-accepted mechanical and electrical specifications for three notebook components, or 'ingredients': 14.1-inch, 15-inch, and 15.4-inch liquid crystal displays (LCDs); 9.5mm and 12.7mm optical disk drives (ODDs); and 2.5-inch hard disk drives (HDDs). The program consists of:

• A Web site to provide a centralized repository of information about the program, participants, and platform and ingredient specifications
• A continually updated list of CBB-compliant ingredients (submitted by suppliers)
• A testing and verification service for candidate products

The repository site mobileformfactors.org was established to standardize components, currently including:

• Hard disk drives
• Optical disk drives
• Liquid crystal display panels
• Battery packs
• AC/DC power adapters
• Keyboards
• Customizable notebook panels

Disadvantages

Although it promised interchangeable components, it does not include standards for graphics components.

Keyboard standard does not include layouts incorporating separate keypads or pointing stick.

The layout for navigation keys is widely different from the desktop 101/104-key keyboards, making it difficult for desktop user to switch to laptop keyboard layout. As a comparison, the keyboard layouts in Dell Inspiron and IBM Thinkpad arrange Ins, Del, Home, End, PgUp, PgDn keys in a 3x2 block; and Prtsc/SysRq, Scroll Lock/Num Lock, Pause/Break keys in a 3x1 block adjacent to the 3x2 block.

References

• mobileformfactors.org contains CBB specifications
• Intel pushes for conformity in notebooks
• Intel looks to attract leading notebook vendors for CBB initiative, 17 oct 2006
• Intel Introduces Program Benefiting Notebook Supply Chain