Computer Jargon

http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=9007
I'll explain the most important computer terminology to you. You should also look at my budget laptop buying guide. It covers the most important things to look for in a budget laptop.

Let’s start by talking about the processor, or microchip. This is also known as the central processing unit (CPU). These days, processor speed is measured in gigahertz, for example 1.6GHz.

The processor is the brain of the computer. It performs all the computations. Without it, the software wouldn’t run. It used to be that faster was better. But that's not always the case anymore. Multiple-core processors change the equation a little.

Multi-core processors are single microchips that contain several processor cores. Each core essentially works like an individual processor. The two most common versions are dual-core and quad-core. Dual-core processors have two cores, while quad-core processors have four.

The benefit of more cores is better multitasking. Each core can be working on a separate task simultaneously. A slower multi-core processor is often more useful than a fast single-core processor.

Single-core processors are still available, and they're very inexpensive. But I'd go with a multi-core instead. Multi-core processors have become quite common; you won’t pay much more for a dual-core processor.

Few budget laptops offer quad-core processors. That’s ok. A dual-core processor will be fine for general computing.

You’ll also see 64-bit and 32-bit processors. Basically, 64-bit processors can work through twice as much data at a time. To get the full benefit, you’ll need a 64-bit version of Windows.

There are two major processor manufacturers: Intel and AMD. Both make good products. AMD has the edge on price, but Intel has better performance.

You might see information on something called a chipset. The chipset is part of the motherboard. It allows the CPU to interact with all the other components. There are several different kinds of chipsets for every processor.

For a budget laptop, you don't need to worry about chipsets. Chipsets are more important in high-end computers.

The graphics card is what generates information for display. This includes basic computing, gaming, and media. There are two types of graphics cards: integrated and discrete.

Integrated means the graphic system is built into the motherboard. A common integrated graphic system is the Intel GMA 4500MHD. It's ok for basic computing. Just don't expect to run intensive video games.

Discrete graphics cards are much more powerful. That's good for gaming and heavy visual media creation. But they aren't great for battery life or price. Discrete cards are manufactured by ATI and Nvidia.

Next up is the RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory. It is often just called memory. RAM acts as a temporary storage space for information.

Hard drives store a lot of information, but they're slow. So frequently accessed information is loaded into RAM, which is much faster. The more RAM you have, the smoother your computer will run.

You want at least 2 gigabytes of RAM. For Windows 7, 4GB would be preferable. It will make a difference when a lot of programs are open. The amount of RAM your computer can use will depend on whether you’re using 32- or 64-bit Windows. Click here to find out what you need to know about selecting RAM.

Computers also have storage. There are HDDs and SSDs. This is where programs and data are kept. HDD stands for hard disk drive. These use magnets and spinning platters. There relatively fragile. But, most computers still use them.

SSD stands for solid-state drive. Unlike HDDs, SSDs have no moving parts. That makes them faster and studier than regular hard drives. However, they also store less and are much more expensive. You won’t see these on budget laptops.

HDDs are pretty inexpensive these days. Most laptops will come with at least a 160GB drive. More are shipping with 320GB drives. That’s more storage than most people need.

Any laptop drive should hold all your data. Just don't try storing an entire library of movies. Photos and music will also take up space, but not as quickly. If you need more storage, you can always get an external hard drive.

Sometimes you will see an RPM number for HDDs. On a laptop, this number will be either 5,400RPM or 7,200RPM. As with all mechanical equipment, RPM stands for rotations per minute. It's how fast the hard drive's mechanism spins.

Laptop hard drives usually run at 5,400RPM. That makes them slower to access information, but they use less energy. That's better for battery life, and the speed difference usually isn't noticeable.

The optical drive is what reads and burns CDs and DVDs. Don’t worry too much about specifications when it comes to optical drives. Just make sure they burn DVDs as well as CDs.

Higher-end laptops may come with Blu-ray Disc drives (BD). These can read Blu-ray discs. And they work for CDs and DVDs. It's up to you if you want to spend the extra money.

Most laptops have built-in networking options. Almost all of them come with an Ethernet connection. That's what you use for a wired network. All modern Ethernet connections go up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). That's fine for most situations. However, 1000Mbps, or gigabit, connections are also available.

Gigabit connections are great for transferring large files over a network. However, you will also need a gigabit router. And all your other computers will need gigabit connections. Otherwise the extra speed is wasted.

Laptops also ship with wireless networking capability. You will see the number 802.11 followed by a letter. The letter will be "a," "b," "g," "n" or a combination. You want 802.11n or 802.11g, which are the most common choices.

The newest wireless standard is 802.11n. It's the fastest and has the longest range. However, you need an 802.11n wireless router to reap the advantages of it. The 802.11g standard is even more common. All laptops should have this by default. The 802.11a and 802.11b standards are rarely used anymore.

It would be good for the laptop to have 802.11n. That makes it more future-proof. But 802.11n can be added later with an adaptor, if needed.

Laptops come with many types of connections. USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is one of the most important connections. You use it to connect mice, printers and external drives.

You might see VGA or DVI for video output. Go with DVI if possible, as VGA is the older connector. Some laptops also have an HDMI port. This allows easier connections to HDTVs. You won't see too many of these on budget laptops.

The laptop's screen resolution is determined by screen size. Pick a screen size that works for you. This is where in-store testing comes in handy.

Speaking of screens, laptops use LCDs, or liquid-crystal displays. You may see some higher-end laptops labeled LED. LED, or light-emitting diode, is a type of LCD backlighting. Click here to learn about the advantages it offers.

Buying the correct computer is just the beginning. Make sure you set up your new computer with security in mind:

Connecting to the Internet is dangerous. But it doesn't have to be. Learn more before you take a new computer online.
Even security software doesn't completely protect against user error. Malicious sites can be tricky to spot. These free software tools can help you.
More people are setting up wireless networks. These are convenient, but can be unsafe. Make sure your wireless network keeps the bad guys out.