JARGON BUSTER

NUMBERS

80211a, 80211b, 80211g, 80211i, 80211n

Different standards for operating wireless networks (Wi-Fi). Loosely the higher the letter, the faster the speed. So far they are mostly incompatible with each other.

A

ACCESS POINT

Wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that connects wireless communication devices together to form a wireless network. The WAP usually connects to a wired network, and can relay data between wireless devices and wired devices.

AMD

AMD is a leading manufacturer of processor chips for PCs, including the Athlon, Duron and Turion Chips.

Athlon

A PC processor - AMD, the other leading chip manufacturer's equivalent to Intel's Pentium. Like the Pentium, constantly being upgraded. You will often see a number such as 2700 following the word Athlon, which is a rough measure of the processor's speed - the higher the number, the faster the chip.

B

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a Personal Area Network (PAN) technology that provides an effective way to sync peripherals using short-range radio signals. The inclusion of Bluetooth in a laptop allows you to connect peripherals without the use of wires. Laptops that are supplied without Bluetooth installed can add a Bluetooth dongle which acts as a receiver.

Broadband

High speed access to the internet usually at a transfer speed of over 1MB per second. Usually provided by ADSL or cable modems by internet service providers (ISP's) such as AOL.

C

Cache Memory

Cache is a computer's short term memory and is measured in Kilobytes (KB) and Megabytes (MB). Recently modified documents are stored in the computer system’s cache (short-term memory) which means you are able to access them quicker. The more cache in a computer’s processor the better the computer will perform, as more information can be stored in the short-term memory. For example a processor with 2MB of cache will be able to hold many more documents in its short term memory enabling you to open them twice as quickly compared to a processor with 1MB of cache.

Celeron

A PC processor - Intel's budget chip, cheaper than the Pentium, but also less powerful.

Centrino (Intel)

A suit of mobile technologies from Intel which includes the Pentium-M processor, the Intel 855PM chipset and Intel Pro wireless chipset, only laptops that use all of these together can use the Centrino logo. The main advantages over the P4 are a larger L2 cache memory (1MB minimum), low power speed optimized processor and integrated wireless LAN. These should give the laptop user better performance, longer battery life and wireless capability as standard. The low power requirement also means that a Centrino laptop does not run as hot as a laptop that uses a P4 CPU, which allows Centrino laptops to be lighter and thinner because they do not need the same amount of cooling equipment in them to keep them running.

D

DDR

(Double Data Rate) A fast type of RAM for a PC, originally only used on high performance graphics cards but now being used for general memory in most high-end PCs. DDR2 is a yet faster version.

DDR2

Like DDR, DDR2 is a type of RAM (memory) in which data is sent on both the rising and falling edges of clock cycles in a data burst. DDR2 is the next evolutionary step in the DDR infrastructure and has additional features built into it to allow for increased system performance. Memory is measured in Megabytes (MB) & Gigabytes (GB). The more memory you have in your computer the more programs and applications you can run at the same time. For example a computer with 2GB (2048MB) of RAM will be able to process more documents, downloads and programs at the same time compared to a computer with 512MB of RAM making your computer experience faster and therefore less frustrating in that the risk of 'waiting' whilst the computer is 'doing something' is significantly reduced.

Docking Station

A docking station is the base that laptop PCs can be plugged into when at a fixed location. Many consumers leave the docking station at home, in the office or in the dorm and slip the laptop PC into the docking station when they finish traveling. This allows users to attach their laptop to a full size keyboard, external mouse, a large monitor, and other peripherals.

Driver

A small program used by the operating system to control hardware such as a sound or video card. Often downloading the latest driver for a device from the manufacturer's website will improve its functionality.

Dual Core

A dual-core CPU combines two independent processors and their respective caches and cache controllers onto a single silicon chip, or integrated circuit allowing you to run more applications simultaneously compared to a single core processor.

DVD

(Digital Versatile Disk) A more advanced version of the standard CD which can hold far more information, now standard on most new PCs. Widely used for high-quality digital movies. DVD drives can usually also read ordinary CDs.

DVD RW, DVD Writer

(Digital Versatile Disk ReWriter) A DVD drive that can create ("write") rewriteable DVDs. There are several competing formats at the moment, but most recent drives support more than one format. It is likely that one of these formats will become standard in time, but at the moment it is not clear which. To add to the confusion, they tend to have very similar names : for example DVD+RW and DVD-RW are completely different formats, and incompatible with each other.

DVI Out

In a similar vein to VGA Ports, DVI (Digital Visual Interface) ports allow you to connect an external monitor to your laptop. While VGA connections provide an analogue signal, DVI is purely digital, so offers a higher quality image.

E

Ethernet

A means to set up a fixed network or to connect to Broadband. Two speeds of Ethernet connection are available, and provide higher data transfer speeds than wireless networks.
The older 10/100 Base Ethernet connection is capable of speeds of up to 100Mbps (Megabits per second), while Gigabit Ethernet provides speeds up to 1000Mbps.

F

Firewire

Firewire is a high speed port for the connection of external peripherals. Firewire is ideal for connecting video equipment, and can maintain a constant stream without losing speed. Because of the expense of the technology along with its Apple ownership, many non-Apple laptops opt for smaller mini-Firewire ports, which run marginally slower than full sized IEEE 1394 Connections.

Firewall

Originally a dedicated computer between you and the internet, preventing hackers, spammers and similar undesirables from taking over your PC. Now often just a program running on your PC, performing the same task. Absolutely essential if you have an always-on internet connection such as ADSL or cable.

G

Graphics Adaptor / Video Card

The GPU (Graphics Processor Unit) or Graphics Adaptor, delivers visuals to the screen. While lower-specified laptops used integrated chips, more expensive systems opt for dedicated graphics for high-end multimedia use (games etc). A minimum of 64MB video memory (VRAM) is recommended, but 256MB of VRAM will provide a far higher performance.

H

Hard Drive

A laptop’s hard drive is where files and folders can be permanently stored. It is where the operating system resides, which provides the laptop’s user interface. Hard Drive storage space can range between 30GB(Gigabytes) and 120 GB, with higher numbers providing greater storage capacity. Faster rotational speeds allow for quicker access, with a minimum 4200rpm (rotations per minute) and a maximum of 7200rpm.

"Hot Spot"

"Hot spots" are locations where consumers can log onto the Internet via a wireless access point. All that's needed is a Wi-Fi networking card, which is currently sold as an add-on option with many laptops. Some laptop PCs sold today come with this capability built right in. Additionally, many airports, hotels, even coffee bars are now equipped with this technology.

I

IEEE 802.11

Wireless Technology IEEE 802.11 replaces your wired Ethernet connection, using radio waves instead of cables to establish network between computers or connect to the Internet. 802.11 networks can be setup within the home so consumers can share files, printers and Internet access from all rooms in the home, without cables. The same scenario applies for businesses; employees can have continuous, cable-free access to the network, e- mail and the Internet, even while moving through the workplace. Currently, IEEE has specified three wireless LAN standards: 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g.

Infrared

Operates in a similar manner to a TV remote control but allows your laptop to exchange data with other computers or devices like mobile phones. It has to be used in line of sight of the devices and has only a short range.

IP Address

This is a unique number split into 4 parts separated by full stops, every computer connected to the internet has an IP address, a typical IP address looks like this 213.22.128.66.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network

This allows the use of data transfer and voice communication simultaneously on the same phone line, it also offers faster data transfer than it's analogue counterpart but not as fast as ADSL.

ISP - Internet Service Provider

ISP refers to a company which provides Internet services such as AOL, typical ISPs provide:
• A Dial-up server with which to connect to the internet along with a number, username and password.
• An Email address.
• A POP Server through which to receive emails.
• An SMTP Server through which to send emails.

Most ISPs also provide web-mail (online email access) which allows you to access your emails from any computer.

L

LAN

These are common-place in offices and are used to link 2 or more computers for the purpose of sharing files and/or peripherals. A LAN refers to a network that spans a relatively small geographical area and/or is limited to one segment, for example an office floor-space. LANs provide high speed data transfer (100Kbps to 1Gbps) between directly connected machines using different network topologies and protocols.

Li-ion or Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion batteries offer longer charge times than NiMH batteries and have less tendency to develop the 'memory' syndrome that can the ability of the battery to hold it charge.

M

Memory

System memory (also known as RAM) temporarily stores the data the processor has requested. The more RAM your laptop has, the faster it will operate. A suggested minimum of RAM is 256MB (Megabytes) but 512MB is recommended for optimum operation.

Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M

The "M" in Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M indicates that the processor was specifically designed for use in a laptop. It includes low power technologies -- not included in the desktop version -- that help extend battery life. When purchasing a laptop, consumers should look for the "M" for outstanding performance and enhanced battery life for on-the-go computing.

Modem

A communications device used to connect to a network such as the internet.
Modems come in various different forms, the most common is the internal modem which uses a PCI interface to connect to the motherboard. Some motherboards come with modems built-in. Another type of modem is the external, which, as the name suggests is not inside the case and has it's own power supply. It is connected by way of a cable, which can be serial, USB etc.

N

Networking

By connecting two or more laptops to each other, a network is formed. Networks can be either fixed or wireless, depending on whether the network is connected by physical cables or wireless radio signals. Wireless networks are currently the slower of the two, providing speeds of up to 54Mpbs (Megabits per second), while fixed networks can provide data transfer rates of up to 1000Mpbs.

NiMH

Nickle-Metel Hydride, an older type and now cheaper type of battery used in laptops, can suffer from the 'memory' effect that can shorten the batteries operational life.

O

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer

OEM Hardware
This is the term given to a manufacturer that buys, for instance, video graphics chips and implements them in their own design.

OEM Software
When in the context of software it means that the software is sold only with a certain piece of hardware and/or the software manufacturer provides no technical support.

You will also find that OEM software usually doesn't come with a manual (or a box), if it's software you are experienced in using then having no manual won't be a problem, although most OEM software does still come with the built-in help system. The price difference between OEM software and full retail software can be huge, so if having no box, no manual and no technical support is not a problem then it can be a bargain.
note: some OEM software is a cutdown version of its retail counterpart, always make sure the software has the features you need.

Operating System

The Operating System (OS) is the main software program on a laptop, and provides the base for all hardware and software to operate from. Various Operating Systems are available, but since the vast majority of laptops ship with Microsoft Windows XP OS by default, this is the most common choice worldwide.

Optical Drive

Optical Drives allow for the use of CD and DVD discs for data access and storage. While basic optical drives are provided by CD and / or DVD drives for reading data, higher specified laptops provide CD-RW and/or
DVD +/-RW drives, to allow users to copy their own data to discs for external storage. Recordable CDs allow the least amount of storage space (up to 750MB), while dual-layer DVDs can hold as much as 8.5GB (Gigabytes).

P

Parallel

An old technology rarely used, many machines continue to ship with parallel ports. The primary use for the connection is to attach a printer although the majority of printer connections these days are USB.

PCMCIA

A body including hardware and chip manufacturers, system integrators and software houses set up in 1989. A PCMCIA card is a credit card sized device that is used to upgrade memory or add communication devices to notebooks and laptop computers.

PDA - Personal Digital Assistant

A (Personal Digital Assistant) refers to a hand-held device that incorporates several handy features.
PDAs often include an address book, calendar, contacts list, and a memo feature.
Most modern PDAs support internet access and include software you would normally find on an office computer, such as word processing and spreadsheet software.
Below are some typical features you will find in modern PDAs :
• Integrated WLAN adaptors
• Integrated microphone and speaker
• 240x320 screen resolution
• USB ports
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
The operating systems are specially designed for PDAs, the performance depends on the processor speed and memory, a typical PDA would boast a 300MHz processor and 64MB of ram.

Pointing Stick

On smaller laptops where there may not be space for a full sized touchpad, a pointing stick (PS) may be used. While a touchpad sits below the keyboard, a pointing stick resides in the centre of the keyboard itself, resembling a small button. By rolling a finger around the stick, the onscreen cursor moves around the screen. As with a touchpad, a pair of mouse buttons sit below the keyboard of menu access.

Ports

A communications port on a computer for example the serial port, parallel port, USB port or a port on a server. Different ports have different characteristics and data transfer capabilities.

Processor (CPU)

Also known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the processor is the heart of your laptop. Processing all the data, the advent of the mobile CPU has revolutionised the industry, as laptops CPUs can run faster and provide increased battery life than ever before. The most popular are Intel’s Core Duo and AMD Turion 64 Chips, both of which are optimised for high performance mobile use.
The speed of the Processor is measured in Megahertz (Mhz) or Gigahertz (Ghz), the higher the hertz number, the faster the processor, though AMD do not use the clock speed as the true rating of the CPU's speed, they use the name of the processor i.e Athlon 2400+, Athlon 2600+ etc. to indicate the performance.

PS/2

A port used to connect either an external keyboard or mouse to your laptop. It can also be used to power other small external devices.

R

RJ-45 cable

Also known as a network cable or Ethernet cable. Connects your computer's network interface card to another network device like a hub.

Router

A device used to connect networks together, for example so that several PCs can share one internet connection. A relative of the hub, but more powerful.

S

Screen

Measured in pixels, the higher the screen resolution the sharper and more detailed the image will be. While larger screens provide an obvious increase in viewing space, the higher screen resolutions can also deliver the same effect. To provide a brighter and more vibrant image, many laptops now carry Super-TFT screens (also known anti-glare to allow more light from the screen.

Serial

Serial ports are an older method for connecting external peripherals. A range of equipment can be connected to Serial ports, including mice, printers and external modems.

Spyware

Programs, typically installed by stealth, which record what you do on your PC and send reports to criminals, allowing them to steal your bank details, passwords and so on.

SSL - Secure Sockets Layer

A protocol developed by Netscape to transfer information via the Internet securely. Web sites use this encryption to allow users to enter credit card numbers and other confidential information, normally you will see the padlock in your browser lock and the URL will begin HTTPS as opposed to HTTP.

S-Video

S-Video can be used to connect your laptop to an external monitor or even your television. When equipped with an S-Video in port, external video equipment can be fed into the laptop for recording video to the hard drive.

T

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol

A collection of protocols (rules) that depict how data is transferred across networks between computer systems.

TFT - Thin Film Transistor

A type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) used in the screen of laptops/notebooks, with 1 to 4 transistors defining one pixel on-screen.

Touchpad

Most laptops ship with a touchpad (TP) located beneath the keyboard. Operating in the same way as a mouse, the user can track their finger across the touchpad and see the onscreen cursor follow the same movement.
A pair of mouse buttons accompanies the touchpad for opening and selecting menus onscreen.

U

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) enables users to plug their peripherals into an available USB port and have it automatically recognised and installed. USB 1.1 is the older variation and transfers data at up to 12mbps (megabits per second), while USB 2.0 offers faster speeds of up to 480mbps.

V

VGA Out

Although most laptops are predominantly used for mobile operation, many users. Configure them as a main home system to save space and add manoeurvrability. As a result, it can often make sense to attach a full-sized external monitor to enjoy greater screen sizes than laptop technology can offer. To this end, many laptops ship with VGA (Video Graphics Array) ports to allow the quick connection of an external display.

Virus

A program that has been deliberately created to cause computer problems, usually minor ones as a prank, but occasionally very nasty ones indeed, such as erasing your entire hard disk. Viruses were originally designed to attach themselves to programs on a disk, and then "hide" in the computer's memory once the host program is executed, and "infect" every disk they come across. Some types of virus (such as the famous "I love you") propagate by email, disguised as an attachment, which is why you should never open an attachment you are unsure of.

W

Wi-Fi

An abbreviation of Wireless Fidelity, Wi-Fi allows users to configure wireless networks. Each laptop will need to have a Wi-Fi card and you’ll need a base station to set the network up. Currently available in three main speeds, 802.11b allows for data transfer speeds of up to 11Mbps (Megabits per Second), while both 802.11g and 802.11a provide speeds of as much as 54mpbs.

Windows XP

The latest version of Windows and generally agreed to be the most stable. Intended to bring together and replace the different 9x and NT versions of Windows (see Windows) - but Microsoft have released two versions, "Home" and "Professional".