To make up for the lack of keys that comes with a small laptop size (as compared to the big honkin' desktop keyboards), early laptops came with a special function key, the Fn key. You used this key in combination with other keys, like the Shift key, giving those keys multiple purposes.
Most modern laptops retain the Fn key, but you use it primarily to activate special laptop functions. These functions share other keys on the keyboard, typically the Function keys. They're marked by special icons, and these icons are color coded to match the Fn key.
Sadly, you can't find a standard for these Fn keys and their functions in the laptop world. But among the many laptops out there, you can find Fn key combinations that do the following:
- Turn the laptop's internal speaker volume up.
- Turn the laptop's internal speaker volume down.
- Mute the laptop's internal speaker.
- Increase or decrease the monitor's brightness or contrast.
- Activate an external monitor for giving a presentation.
- Activate Stand By mode.
- Hibernate the laptop.
- Lock the keyboard.
Take a moment to peruse your laptop and look over the Fn keys available. You may find some Fn keys fun - play around with them and see what you find.
