This page will help you understand the terms associated with todays laptops and computers.

A

AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) – This is a communications channel that is used to connect graphics cards to a computers motherboard. This is currently being phased out in favour of the faster PCI Express. This technology is used in desktops rather than laptops.
AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) – AMD is an American multinational company that develop processors for personal computers, among other things. AMD is the second largest global supplier of x86 architecture microprocessors, behind Intel Corporation.
Atom – This is an Intel CPU built to be used in laptops and other portable computers.
AVI (Audio Video Interleave) – This is a multimedia format that can contain both audio and data.

B

Bandwidth – This refers to the maximum potential throughput of a connection, most commonly Internet Broadband connection. This is usually measure in Kilobits per second (Kbit/s) or Megabits per second (Mbit/s).
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) – The BIOS is part of the computers operating system that is run when the computer is turned on. It is responsible for enabling communication between the computers hardware (e.g Hard disk drive, CD ROM drive) and the software operating system that is installed (e.g. Windows XP).
Bluetooth – Bluetooth is a wireless protocol that allows devices to communicate without cables over a short range (10 metres or less).
Bit – A Bit has a value of 0 or 1 and is the basic unit of information storage in computers.
Byte – A Byte consists of eight bits.

C

Cache – A Cache is a temporary area of storage that is used for frequently accessed data. Data is stored in a cache as it is faster to access it from the cache than from the original location. A cache can also be used to store computed information, so that it is not necessary to re-compute each time.
CD-R (Recordable CD) – A CD-R is a compact disk that can be written to once. It can also be termed “Write Once Read Many”.
CD-ROM – A CD-ROM is a compact disk that cannot be written to. It is used to store information to be read by a CD-ROM drive.
CD-RW (ReWritable CD) – A CD-RW is a compact disk that can be written to a more than once.
Centrino – Centrino is a term that refers to a combination of motherboard chipset, CPU and wireless network interfaces that form the core of many of todays laptops.
Cookie – A small text file that web sites can store on your computer for tasks such as preference storage and shopping carts.
Chipset – This is a group of chips or circuits that are designed to work in conjunction with each other to perform a variety of functions (e.g graphics chipset).
CPU (Central Processing Unit) – This is the component in a computer that does most of the work, it is responsible for managing and interpreting instructions and it’s speed is usually measured int GHz.

D

DDR RAM (Double Data Rate) – This is a class of RAM that delivers nearly twice the bandwidth of SD RAM.
DIMM (dual in-line memory module) – This is a form of RAM that was developed to supercede the SIMM (single in-line memory module).
Docking station – This can also be called a “Port replicator”. This device allows you to plug the laptop into a set of peripherals normally suited to a desktop workstation.
Driver – This is a piece of software that allows other programs to communicate with hardware devices (e.g. sound card).
DVD (Digital Video Disc) – This is a read only storage medium, the same dimensions as a CD, but storing more than 5 times the data.
DVD-RW – This is DVD that can be written to more than once.
DVI (Digital Video Interface) – This is a video interface that has been designed to enable a higher level of visual quality than VGA.

E

Ethernet – This is a type of network technology using coaxial cables, designed for local area networks.

F

Firewall – This consists of software or a combination of software and hardware that is intended to protect a computer from malicious attacks, generally by limiting the exposure of the computer to networks / the internet.
FireWire (IEEE 1394) – This is a communications architecture designed for high speed communications between peripherals (e.g video data storage).

G

GB (Gigabyte) – When used in the context of storage space, represents 1000 Megabytes (MB).
GHz (Gigahertz) – This is equal to a 1000 megahertz and usually refers to how fast the processor in your computer is.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) – GPRS is a mobile data communications system, and is used in most modern mobile phones.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) – This is a device that is dedicated to processing graphics.
Graphics Card – This is a hardware device whose function is to process and display graphics on a display.

H

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) – This is an interface for delivering high definition, uncompressed audio and video data.
HDTV (High-definition television) – This is a television system with a higher resolution that a standard television.
Hyper Threading – This is an Intel processor technology that allows microprocessors to perform more operations by improved parallelisation.

I

Intel – Intel is the largest global supplier of x86 architecture microprocessors.
IrDA – This is a standard for communication of data over a short distance using Infrared light.
ISP (Internet service provider) – An ISP is an organisation providing internet access to the public.

J

Java – Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems.

K

KB (Kilobyte) – This is equal to 1024 bytes
KBPS (Kilobits Per Second) – This is a digital data rate measurement for how fast information will get from one point to another in a second.

L

LAN (Local Area Network) – This is a group of 1 or more computers linked together in a local geographic area.
Li-ion – This is a high capacity re-chargeable battery used in laptops and portable electronic devices.
Linux – This is an operating system designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system.

M

MB (Megabyte) – When used in the context of storage space, represents 1000 Kilobytes (KB).
MHz – This is equal to a 1000 kilohertz and usually refers to how fast the processor in your computer is.
Motherboard – A motherboard, is a collection of devices (together on one circuit board) that control the flow of data for all the primary components in a PC.
Modem – A modem is a piece of hardware that is used to transmit data of a telephone line.
MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) – This is a file format that is used for compressed audio.
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) – This is a file format for the compression of audio and video data.

N

NVIDIA – NVIDIA is a multinational company specialising in the development and production of computer graphics hardware.
Norton – This is product of Symantec Corporation, Norton Antivirus and is a popular antivirus program.

O

OEM – This is the producer of a finished computer product the last manufacturer in the supply chain before the end-user.
Operating System (OS) – This is software that controls a computer and acts as a layer between the hardware and the applications and end users (e.g Linux, Windows)

P

Parallel Port – This is an interface on a computer that is typically used to send and receive data from a printer.
PC Card – This is a standard for an interface for laptops that allows peripherals to be plugged in.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) – This is a lightweight electronic device that can perform a range of computing tasks.
Plug and Play – This is a feature offered by most modern computers that allows new devices to be plugged in and used without reconfiguration of the computer.
Processor – See CPU.
PS/2 – This is a type of connector that is used to plug mice and keyboards into laptops and desktops. This is fast being replaced by USB.

Q

R

RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) – This is a technology that uses more than one disk to increase the fault tolerance, capacity or speed of a computer systems storage.
RAM (Random-access memory) – This is hardware that allows data to be stored and accessed quickly.

S

SCSI – This is a standard for connecting devices within a computer and is most commonly used to connect hard disks and backup tape drives.
SD RAM/RAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) – This is a name for a number of types of dynamic random access memory that work synchronously with the systems bus.
Serial Connection (RS-232) – This is a communications interface where information transferred is performed one bit at a time, this has largely been superseded by USB and Firewire.
Sound card – This is a component of a computer / laptop that performs the input and output of audio data. A Soundcard is often integrated with a computers motherboard.

T

Tablet PC – This is a notebook that is equipped with a touchscreen which allows you to operate it with stylus or fingertip.
TFT (Thin Film Transistor) – This is a variant of LCD display technology, that uses TFT technology to improve the image quality over a standard LCD display.
Touchpad – This is an input device that allows the translation of finger touch and movement to the screen. This is a common device found on laptops.
Type II PC Card (PCMCIA) (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) – This is an interface that accepts a credit card sized peripheral, commonly used as modems, TV cards etc.
TV Card – This is a device that allows computers to receive and process TV signals. This can be in many forms; a PCI card, PCMCIA, USB peripheral and others.
TV Out – This is an interface that allows the connecting of a TV and provides an anaolg video signal, with no audio signal.

U

USB (Universal Serial Bus) – This is an interface standard that was designed to supercede serial and parrallel ports. It is used to connect many devices to a computer, allowing them to be plugged in and out without having to reboot the computer or turning of the device being connected.

V

Virtual Memory – This is a memory management technique that allows a computer to provide a large addressable memory block for use by applications, whilst the actual memory being used is fragmented over different areas and possibly using hard disk drives.
Video RAM – This is RAM that is found on graphics cards that is used soley by the graphics adapter and allows swifter processing of graphical resources.

W

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) – This is a standard for communications over wireless network, this is used to allow internet access from mobile phones and PDAs.
Webcam – This is a video capture device that can be connected to a laptop usually via USB. Some laptops and netbooks have a camera built in.
Wi-Fi – This standard allows devices to communicate over a wireless network.

X

XP (Windows XP) – This is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft. Home and professional are the most common editions, professional being the choice for those wishing to take advantage of multiple processors and networking facilities.

Y

Z

Disclaimer

This website and all the information and sugggestions contained herein are provided “AS-IS”, without warranty of any kind. While the author aims for accuracy, and has tested the content in various systems, the author assumes no responsibility for your use of these suggestions. The author will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential or indirect damages due to loss of data or any other reason.