Laptop Glossary - Notebook Terms Explained

2.5G
Second-and-a-half generation wireless service. An upgrade from 2G that allows carriers to transmit calls using packet switching, which provides for a much more efficient use of spectrum. 2.5G is capable of speeds up to 144Kbps but typically achieves real-world speeds of 35-60Kbps. 2.5G uses the same licensed spectrum as 2G, and requires only minor equipment upgrades. 2.5G includes GPRS and 1XRTT. -

3G
Third generation wireless service. An upgrade from 2G and 2.5G wireless networks that allows for even greater voice capacity, along with medium-speed data transmission of 128-384Kbps for moving devices and a theoretical top speed of 2Mbps for stationary devices. 3G is expensive to implement, as it requires different spectrum than 2G and 2.5G, and entirely new equipment.

11G
An alternative name for the 54Mbps 802.11g wireless which combines the 11Mbps part of 802.11b and the G part of the 54Mbps 802.11g. This is backwardly compatible with the 11Mbps 802.11b. See also Wi-Fi / WLAN

10/100BaseT
Describes a device, such as a computer's network interface card, that can support two kinds of network speeds: 10 megabits per second and 100 megabits per second.

Access Point (AP)
A wireless hub or "base station" that transmits and receives Wi-Fi wireless data traffic in a typical range of 100 to 500 feet. An external antenna can extend that range. An access point is usually attached to a wired LAN which is connected through a router back to the Internet. Access points are easy to set up and range in price from under £100 to over £1,000. They are available from companies such as Linksys, Proxim, D-Link, Netgear, Cisco and many others.

Adobe
Adobe Acrobat reader (reads electronic documents), Adobe GoLive (designs Web pages), Adobe InDesign (used for desktop publishing) and Adobe Photoshop (creates and modifies images).

Beta Software
Beta versions of software have not been fully tested and often do not have full functionality. IT Services strongly advises against the downloading of beta software due to its instability and the threat it poses to computer system integrity.
Back Light
A method of illuminating a laptops display so it can be seen almost any lighting conditions. Some makers like Panasonic have extra bright displays that are called daybrite.
Bluetooth* Wireless Technology
Bluetooth* wireless technology is a short-range (~ 10 meters) cable replacement technology that allows users to make wireless and instant connections between various communication devices, such as laptops, cell phones, printers, camcorders, mice headsets and keyboards, as well as connect to the Internet. This means you can check e-mail and access the Internet on your laptop via your mobile phone; share data files with colleagues at a meeting without using wires; and automatically transfer phone numbers that are housed in your laptop over to your cell phone. Bluetooth is a complementary technology to 802.11.

Broadband
Broadband is a term that describes a network where several data streams can be submitted simultaneously at high speeds. More recently, broadband has come to describe high-speed data transmission, such as cable modem, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line).
Burn
“Burn” is slang for recording data onto a CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW drive. Laptops that are equipped with CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW drives allow users to record images, music or video files onto blank discs for playback or back-up storage.

Cache Memory
High-speed memory is located between the CPU and the main memory. Cache memory is designed to supply the processor with the most frequently requested data. Storing data here speeds up the operation of the computer. When an item is requested, the computer first checks the internal cache (built-on the processor), then the external cache (built-on the motherboard) and, finally, the hard disk.

CD-R/RW Drive
Translation: Compact Disc Recordable or Rewritable. A CD-R/RW drive can record data, images or music files onto blank discs. With recordable discs, files can only be recorded once and cannot be changed. With rewritable discs, files can be recorded, deleted and re-recorded. Most discs created with a CD-R/RW drive can be played back on the laptop or on other entertainment devices such as the CD or DVD player.

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.

CPU
See Processor

Deeper Sleep Alert State
Deeper Sleep is an Intel power management technology. It helps to deliver longer battery life by minimizing the power consumption of the processor during brief periods of inactivity by the user – including microseconds between keystrokes.

DVD-R/RW Drive
DVD stands for “Digital Versatile Disc.” The recordable and rewritable concept is the same as with a CD-R/RW drive, but in addition to recording photos and music files onto blank discs, DVDR/ RW drives can also record video or movie files. DVD discs have a greater capacity for storage than CD discs. There are five different formats available which are listed below.

DVD-R : This was the original recordable DVD format and is the most compatible of all the DVD formats with DVD ROMs and home DVD players. DVD-R is a WORM (Write Once Read Many) format DVD that will hold upto 4.7GB of data. It is the cheapest of the recordable DVD discs to buy but like CDR's you can not erase it or rewrite to it.

DVD-RW : A DVD-RW disc will hold upto 4.7Gb of data, and can be written, erased and rewritten about 1000 times each. Unfortunately before you can rewrite to a DVD-RW you must erase the entire disc. Also DVD-RW's are not compatible with some DVD players and DVD ROM drives.

DVD+R : This is the newest WORM (Write Once Read Many) format DVD that will hold upto 4.7GB of data. DVD+R supports a defect management system, which improves the performance of the disc. It is also compatible with most of the newer DVD ROM drives and home DVD players.

DVD+RW : These will also hold upto 4.7GB of data, and will allow you to rewrite without having to erase the disc first. DVD+RW's can be recorded on to up to 1000 times. Just like DVD+R, DVD+RW's support a defect management system, they also have a faster writing speed than DVD-RW. However DVD+RW's are not compatible with some DVD players and DVD ROM drives.

DVD-RAM : These will only work with DVD-RAM compliant DVD drives. They are used to store data in a similar way to a removable hard drive. Some DVD-RAM discs are in-cased in a sealed cartridge. DVD-RAM has error correction, which is ideal for data storage. Current DVD-RAM discs will hold upto 9.4GB of data and can be written to up to 100,000 times, though at the moment DVD-RAM discs will only work in a small number of standard DVD readers.

DHCP
Stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP is a simplified means of automatically getting an IP address and connecting to a network.

Display
The device which you use to view information on the laptop in the same way as you would on a desktop PC's CRT glass tube monitor. All laptop displays are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). All new laptops use TFT or active displays, these are faster and brighter than the older Dual Scan displays of a few years ago. The size if the display is measured diagonally from corner to corner and not straight across the display, and currently vary from 8.9" on ultra portables to 17" on desktop replacement laptops.

Display Resolution
A measure of how detailed an image can look, it is measured in pixels or dots a typical example is 1024 x 768 which is also known as XGA. The following is a list of resolutions found on the traditional displays and also the newer widescreen displays, currently the highest resolutions are not available in laptops.

4:3 aspect ratio displays

CGA Color Graphics Adaptor 320 x 200
EGA Enhanced Graphics Adaptor 640 x 350
VGA Video Graphics Array 640 x 480
SVGA Super Video Graphics Array 800 x 600
XGA Extended Graphics Array 1024 x 768
SXGA Super Extended Graphics Array 1280 x 1024
SXGA+ Super Extended Graphics Array 1400 x 1050
UXGA Ultra Extended Graphics Array 1600 x 1200
QXGA Quad Extended Graphics Array 2048 x 1536
QSXGA Quad Super Extended Graphics Array 2560 x 2048
QUXGA Quad Ultra Extended Graphics Array 3200 x 2400

16:9 Displays, 16:10 Displays, Widescreen

WXGA Wide Extended Graphics Array 1366 x 768
WSXGA Wide Super Extended Graphics Array 1600 x 1024
WSXGA+ Wide Super Extended Graphics Array 1680 x 1050
WUXGA Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array 1920 x 1200
WQSXGA Wide Quad Super Extended Graphics Array 3200 x 2048
WQUXGA Wide Quad Ultra Extended Graphics Array 3840 x 2400

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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.

Ethernet
A common network cabling and signaling standard used to connect computers to a network. Make sure your computer has a network interface card supporting 10/100BaseT so you can use Ethernet to get online.
Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ Technology
Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep™ technology is supported in both the Mobile Intel® Pentium® III Processor–M and the Mobile Intel Pentium 4 Processor-M. The technology is smart enough to know how much performance you need to run a specific application. When maximum performance is required, the processor runs at the highest speed. When maximum performance is not needed, the processor speed and power is reduced. This reduction in power helps to extend battery life. For the consumer, this means the ability to watch a DVD movie on a long flight or work for hours on a research paper while sitting in the campus quad.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Pronounced "eff-ay-cue," an FAQ is compilation of frequent asked questions with corresponding answers.

GB (gigabyte)
A gigabyte is a measurement of data storage that equals 1,024 megabytes. Typically used to describe the storage capacity on a computer's hard drive.
GHz (gigahertz)
Abbreviation for gigahertz. Describes the speed of a computer's processor, the taskmaster of the computer. One gigahertz equals one billion cycles per second; each computer task requires a certain amount of cycles to run.

GPRS
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) refers to the next generation cellular wireless services. GPRS enables networks to offer 'always-on', higher capacity Internet-based content and packet based data services. This enables services such as color Internet browsing, e- mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services.

GSM
Groupe Speciale Mobile, Global System for Mobile communications. A 2G global standard for digital cellular communications which was introduced in 1991. GSM uses a variation of TDMA and is the wireless standard most commonly found in Europe and Asia. US carriers with GSM-based networks include T-Mobile, AT&T Wireless and Cingular.
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Hard drive
Also known as a hard disk. The hard drive is your laptop’s “filing cabinet.” The computer's hard drive serves as the main data storage area for the operating system (e.g. Windows XP), programs (e.g. Microsoft Word) and documents (e.g. your resume).
“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.

Hot Spot Operator (HSO)
A company that sets up and operates commercial hot spots in cafes, airports, hotels, train stations, convention centers, office buildings and other public locations. An HSO typically installs one or more access points and an access control device along with a high speed Internet connection to the location.

HSOs include Cometa, Wayport, Surf and Sip, Airpath, Pronto, NetNearU, Deep Blue, Fatport, Gatespeed, Airborne Access, Air Portal, Air2LAN, Ikano, and Azure, to name a few. In the last year, major wireless carriers have become HSOs, including T-Mobile (which is building hot spots in Starbucks cafes, Borders book stores and airline clubs), AT&T Wireless and Sprint PCS.

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IEEE 1394 Connection / Firewire / iLink
IEEE 1394 is a high-speed external port that is used to connect computer peripherals such as a digital camera to the laptop. This allows budding cinematographers to quickly and easily transfer their footage from their digital video camera to the laptop for editing. (IEEE 1394 is also know as Firewire, iLink*, or simply 1394).

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.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
IMAP is an e-mail retrieval method that allows you to view and keep your e-mail on the mail server, making it easier to access e-mail from multiple locations. Compare to POP.

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.

ISP
Internet Service Provider. A company that provides Internet access to individual or corporate customers over dial-up, DSL, cable, satellite, and, increasingly, wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi. Traditional consumer ISPs include EarthLink, AOL and MSN.

IP address
A series of four numbers separated by periods (e.g. 134.48.1.249) that identify computers on a network including the internet. DHCP automatically assigns your computer an IP address.

ISDN
Integrated Service Digital Network is a standard established by ITU (International Telecommunication Union). enables digital traffic over existing copper wires. This means that a household can have two telephone numbers the same connection, and that it is possible to surf the Internet twice as fast as with an ordinary telephone link-and a 56k modem.

LAN
Short for local area network, a LAN is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line to share resources, such as a high-speed link to the Internet and printers. A LAN may also tie computers to a larger system called a “server” designed to manage resource and connectivity allocation. A LAN may serve as few as two or three users in a home network, or many thousand users in a local office network.

Laptop PC
A laptop (also called notebook PC, or a mobile PC) is a portable computer that is small enough to be easily transported so users have the freedom and versatility to work, learn, share, and create anywhere, at anytime. Laptops are powered by a rechargeable battery and/or a power line that can be plugged into an electrical wall outlet. Laptops also come with a built- in flat screen monitor, a keyboard and a modem so users can access the Internet and other networks.
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