Glossary For Laptops

A

Adware: This is a software that automatically downloads advertisements to a laptop or PC.

AMOLED : Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. Some display makers are working on making screens with AMOLED for laptops, which are considered to be more power efficient, brighter, more vivid and cleaner in display quality, than LCD.

Anti-virus software : This is software designed to protect a laptop/PC. This software will check all kinds of interactions happening with the network, and block any content that might seem harmful from being downloaded and opened on the laptop/PC.

Application : A program that performs a particular function in the laptop/computer.

Aspect ratio : The ratio of longer dimension to shorter dimension. In case of LCD, it is width to height ratio.

B

Backlight : Laptops and notebooks have light coming from behind their screens for enabling reading in poorly lit environments. Usually LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used for backlights.

BIOS : Basic Input/Output System. This is a software program that starts up first when you power on the laptop or computer. It checks to see if all necessary components required for starting up are present.

Bit : Binary Digit. It is the smallest unit of data that the laptop understands. It is either a ’0′ or a ’1′.

Bluetooth : It is a wireless data transmission technology between devices within a range of about 10m.

Broadband : Data transmission in a network at high speeds, is referred to as broadband. The bandwidth of frequencies used for data transmission increased as a result of advanced technologies. This broad bandwidth is termed broadband.

Burn : Writing into a DVD or CD is commonly called burning a CD or DVD.

Byte : 8 bits form a byte.

C

Cache : A temporary memory where instructions are brought and stored in advance for quick access by the processor.

CD : Compact disc. An optical disc on which information is stored. This is read with the help of a laser.

CD-R/RW : CD recordable or rewritable.

Chipset : A group of chips that are integrated on a board to perform some specific task. In laptops, the chipset is usually concerned with controlling data movement between various parts using the bus. These buses get to know where they need to transfer the data to from the chipset.

Clock speed : The speed at which processor processes commands. Clock speed is expressed in terms of MHz or GHz  or cycles per second. Each cycle refers to fetching, processing and execution of an instruction. Clock speed is also referred to as clock rate or frequency of the processor.

Contrast Ratio : This is the ratio of the brightest colour (white) to the darkest colour (black) that can be displayed on the screen. The higher this ratio, the higher the brightness levels.

CPU : Central Processing Unit. The main processor which executes the instructions of the programs that run on the laptop.

D

Dual core : It is equivalent to having 2 processors on the same die or integrated circuit for enhancing performance of the laptop or computer.

Device Driver : A device driver is a code or computer program that is required to allow interaction between the hardware and software (High level programs) in a system.

DVD R/RW : Digital Versatile Disc recordable or rewritable.

E

Ethernet : A wired set-up that connects a computer to a Local Area Network (LAN). The data transfer rates that the ethernet connection offers is about 10Mbps.

Expresscard : A memory extension card that is used to store information from a laptop or notebook.

F

Firewire port : A serial bus for data transfer developed by Texas Instruments and Apple, that supports almost 63 devices. Data transfer speeds of the order of 800, 1600 & 3200Mbps can be achieved.

G

GB : Gigabyte. 1GB = 109 bytes. It is usually used to refer to RAM and hard drive memory capacities.

GHz : Giga hertz. The unit for measuring frequency of the order of 109.

Glossy screen : In-order to enhance colour intensity and contrast ratio, some manufacturers make the laptop screens highly glossy. However, this makes the screen highly reflective under the sun; thus reducing visibility.

GPRS : General Packet Radio Service. A data transmission method which aims at increasing the 2G technology transfer speeds. It tries to reach 3G technology speeds. Hence it is sometimes referred to as 2.5G technology as well. Unlike GSM, which uses circuit switching, GPRS uses packet switching. In packet switching, data is built into packets and then transmitted across the network. Each packet carries information about its source, destination and sequence. All the packets are then sent across the network. There are routers in between that receive these packets and decide where they have to be sent. The packets can take different routes in the network and might reach the destination in a different order. The destination then uses the sequence information of the packets to put them in the right order again.

GPS : Global Positioning System. This feature works with satellites to tell you where your position is on earth. It also helps you find nearest shops, fuel stations, restaurants and more.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) : The graphics processor processes and controls all kinds of visual signals. It handles all tasks related to displaying content on the screen.

GSM : Global System For Mobile Communication. It is a 2G technology wireless data transmission technology that is popular in European countries. It employs the circuit switching method for call establishment between 2 phones.

GUI : Graphical User Interface. It is a visual interface which will have buttons, menus and other features in the form of graphics/pictures to allow the user to interact with the electronic gadget.

H

Hard drive : A magnetic storage device that is present in the laptops for storing information and other application files. Even the OS is stored in the hard drive. Unlike RAM, it is a permanent storage device, which will retain information even if the laptop is powered off.

HDMI : High Definition Multimedia Interface
The HDMI port on a laptop can be connected to the HDMI port on an HD (high definition) Television, to stream HD content from laptop to TV.

Hotspot : A location where internet connection can be obtained without wires for laptops and computers. This hotspot has a router, which is connected to the internet via the ethernet cable. This router can transfer information without wires to laptops and netbooks within a certain distance around it.

HSCSD : High Speed Circuit Switched Data. This is an enhanced form of CSD (circuit switched data) for transmitting data at high speeds over GSM networks. This high speed is achieved by using more number of time slots for data transmission. This technology can achieve speeds of 57.6kbps. It is used for transfer of data rather than voice.

HSDPA : High Speed Downlink Packet Access. This is a 3.5G technology data transfer protocol. It is supposed to be an enhancement to the WCDMA technology, which is considered to be a 3G technology protocol. It allows high speeds (up to 8Mbps) of downloading content from the network.

HSUPA : High Speed Uplink Packet Access. It is similar to HSDPA. However it gives lower speeds of data transfer when compared to HSDPA (about 5.76Mbps). HSUPA is considered as a 3G networking technology protocol.

HTML : HyperText Markup Language. This is a set of instructions or language that are used for constructing websites.

I

Internal Memory : This is the storage space present inside the laptop. It is usually in the order of GB.

IP Address : An address or identity that is unique to each computer or laptop or netbook in a network.

ISP : Internet Service Provider. A service provider from whom one can subscribe for internet connection.  Examples – O2, Virgin Media.

J

Jack : A socket into which a plug can be fitted. Usually used to refer to the headphone socket and the microphone socket.

K

kbps : kilobits per second. It is a measure of speed of digital data transfer. It means 1000 bits per second.

Kensington Lock : A security lock for laptops and notebooks developed by the company called Kensington.

L

LAN : Local Area Network.

LCD : Liquid Crystal Display. Most of the laptop screens use the LCD technology for display. A fluid consisting of rod shaped crystals is filled between 2 panels and light is emitted from behind this set-up. Depending on the orientation of the crystals images are made to appear.

LED Back-light : Many laptops have LEDs (light emitting diodes) beneath their screens which light up when the laptop is in use. This helps especially when operating the laptop in dimly lit environments.

Li-ion : Lithium ion. Most rechargeable batteries for devices like laptops use Lithium ions in their electrolyte. These ions move from the cathode to the anode during charging, and vice-versa during discharging.

M

Malware : A program that can be malicious for the laptop.

Matte or Non-glossy screens : These screens offer lower colour intensity and contrast ratios than the glossy screens. But improve visibility when outdoors.

Mbps : Megabits per second. It is a measure of speed of digital data transfer. It means 106  bits per second.

Media Card : Flash memory cards:-
SD – Secure Digital card
MMC – Multimedia card
MS – Memory Stick (manufactured by Sony)
MS Pro – Memory Stick Pro (manufactured by Sony and SanDisk)
xD-Picture -  Extreme Digital

Megapixel : It is used to refer to the resolution of the camera or the screen of laptops. 1 Megapixel =  106 pixels.

Memory Expansion Slot : Laptops and such gadgets are equipped with slots into which memory cards can be inserted for storing information.

MicroSD card : A microSD card is a memory card, which can be inserted into slot provided in laptops, for storing information.

Mobile Broadband : This is a wireless internet access technology, which allows connecting to the internet anytime and anywhere. Most of the mobile phones have this technology integrated into them. For laptops a dongle like device is provided by the service provider, which can be plugged into a socket provided for internet access.

Modem : A modulator and demodulator. The MODEM is a device which interfaces between the conventional telephone network and the laptop. It converts the analogue voice signals to digital signals and vice-versa.

Motherboard : It is a printed circuit board on which the main processor, the buses, the memory chips and more are all integrated.

N

Netbook : A small laptop that has a screen size of less than 10” diagonally.

Network Card : It is a card that allows the laptop to connect to the network.

Notebook : Usually refers to a laptop itself. However, has been frequently used to describe a small laptop, bigger than a netbook that has a screen size below 15”.

Numeric Keypad : The keypad on the right hand side of the keyboard, which contains numbers, and other keys like Num Lock, Enter, Del, Ins, Arrow keys, Home, Pg Up, Pg Dn and arithmetic operators. Many laptops do not have an exclusive numeric keypad. Instead, the keys M, J, K, L, U, I, O, 7, 8, 9 are used in combination with the Function key (Fn) to offer numeric keypad functionality. In this case, M=0, J=1, K=2, L=3, U=4, I=5, O=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9.

O

Operating System : This is the software platform on which applications can be installed and run. The OS interfaces between applications and device resources (like memory, buses, processor) to accomplish operations.

Optical Drive : A drive which is used for reading and writing of DVDs, CDs and more with laser.

P

Pixels : The smallest piece of image information that can be shown on screens of gadgets like mobile phones or computers. This term came from the words picture element. The more the number of pixels, the better the clarity of the image will be.

Ports : Interfaces or sockets in the laptop for connecting to other devices.

Processor : This is the brain of many gadgets, especially computers. It is the one that executes all operations inside the gadget. It basically fetches instructions from the internal storage device, understands what needs to be done, accomplishes the task and handles the results as well.

Q

Quad core : It is equivalent to having 4 processors on a single die or integrated circuit for enhancing performance.

QWERTY : Computer or Type-writer like keyboards are referred to as QWERTY keyboards, as these are the first 6 letters that appear in the alphabet section of the keyboard.

R

RAM : Random Access Memory. This is a temporary memory that stores programs and application codes that are running on the computer or laptop. This memory is volatile, meaning that, once the power is shut down, it loses all information it has stored in it.

Resolution : The screen of gadgets is made up of pixels. Resolution is the total number of pixels present in a particular display screen. It is usually given as a product of the number or pixel rows to the number of pixel columns.

RJ-45 cable : It is the Ethernet cable for connecting to the internet.

RJ-45 port : Ethernet port

RPM : Revolutions Per Minute. It is used to indicate the speed of the hard disk drive.

S

Screen Size : The screen size of a laptop (or any LCD or plasma screen) is expressed as the length of its diagonal.

Software : It is the programs which run on the laptop or computer.

Solid State Drive (SSD) : A storage medium which is gaining popularity over hard drives due to no mechanical moving parts involved. Hence it is more silent than hard disks. Semiconductors are used to store data in SSDs.

Spyware : A kind of malware that is designed to spy on someone else’s activities on the laptop/PC.

T

TFT : Thin Film Transistor. This is used in LCD screens. Every pixel has a small transistor. These transistors can be activated with small amounts of charge. Thus they work very fast when re-painted or refreshed during displaying of images.

Touchscreen : Screens that are touch sensitive. They can be operated either with a stylus or with the finger-tip for performing various tasks.

U

USB : Universal Serial Bus. There are one or more USB ports on many gadgets which allow data transfer to other devices with a compatible cable. Many devices these days come with these ports. It is very simple and easy to use as it works with a simple plug-in.

V

VGA : Video Graphics Array. It actually refers to the display hardware introduced by IBM. However, this acronym has been used to denote various other things – it denotes a resolution of 640×480 pixels when it comes to displays or cameras; it also refers to the VGA port (D-Sub connector) on laptops and PCs which is used to connect to external monitors.

Viewing angle : The angle side-to-side or top-to-bottom of the screen, within which the display is clear. Beyond these angles, the screen appears dark for LCD screens.

Virus : This is a program which is designed for harming the system. Hackers develop such kind of code which can destroy the content on someone’s laptop/PC or spy on them.

W

Webcam : A camera that is built into the laptop for video calling. It usually has a low resolution (like 1.3MP or 2MP) when compared to real digital cameras.

Widescreen : A laptop display is said to be widescreen if its width to height ratio is greater than the standard 1.37:1. This ratio is called Aspect ratio. The present day LCDs come with an aspect ratio of 16:9. [Width–1920 pixels. Height–1080 pixels. Aspect ratio = 1920/1080 = 16/9 = 16:9]. When compared to standard screens (like CRT), widescreens can display more content along the width.

WiFi : This is the general term used to mention Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Devices that are WiFi capable can access the internet without wires in WiFi hotspots. These hotspots are certain locations (usually hotels, or restaurants or airports), where a router will be installed. This router uses a wired Ethernet connection to connect to the internet. Gadgets that are WiFi enables will have an antenna that will send and receive radio signals to this router.

Windows Vista : An operating system developed by Microsoft.

Windows XP : An operating system developed by Microsoft. It is a step below the Vista.

WLAN : Wireless Local Area Network. A network connecting 2 or more computers without wires. Example : WiFi.

X

XML : Extensible Markup Language. A language used to define elements and areas for enabling certain software to read the same.