Terms to Know When Buying a PC

SOFTWARE

Firewall - A dedicated computer or device that - for security purposes - filters unwanted data.  Firewalls are often used to provide secure access to the Internet as well as to separate a company's public Web Server from its internal network.

Operating System (OS) - The software that controls the allocation and usage of hardware resources such as memory, central processing unit (CPU) time. and other devices.

Pop-ups - A form of online advertising in which a small window appears above the browser window and interrupts the user's page-view.

Pop-up Blocker - A software application that works in conjunction with an Internet browser to automatically disable pop-up windows.

Spyware - Unauthorized software that can track Web Surfing habits without the user's knowledge

HARDWARE

CD-R Drive - Short for compact disc recordable drive, it can create (or burn) CD-Roms and audio CDs.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) - The CPU, or processor, interprets data into computer language.  For example, if you see a picture of a canyon on your screen, the computer processes millions of number strings and translates them into the image.  The faster your processor speed, the faster it processes your data.  An average speed is 2.5 gigahertz (GHZ).

DVD Drive - The device used to read DVD's.  A DVD is an optical disc storage media format with excellent video and sound quality used to play movies.

DVD-R - A device that reads, erases, or "burns" DVDs.

Flat Panel Display - A thin display screen - designed to minimize reflections - often used with laptop computers.

Graphics Card (Video Card) - Functioning much like a mini-computer inside your PC, this processor translates graphics into motion for multimedia games and videos.  The more RAM you have on your graphics card (separate from the RAM in your PC), the smoother your graphics and videos will run.  A graphics card averages 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM.

Hard Disk (Drive) - The primary source of storage for your PC.  Any files saved on your hard disk (HD) remain safely stored.  An average hard disk size is about 150 gigabytes (GB) - roughly enough storage space for 36 full-length movies.

RAM (Random Access Memory) - A group of memory chips that functions as the computer's main workspace.  The more RAM your computer has, the faster it will run.

Tablet - An input device that employs a stylus, electronic pen, or specialized mouse to write or draw on the tablet surface.  The data can then be transferred into the computer.

Table PC - A computer designed to function like a portable writing tablet.  It includes handwriting recognition and has the ability to store data as graphics rather than text.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) - A hardware interface for attaching peripheral devices.  Capable of connecting a large number of external devices on a computer, USB is typically used for low-speed components such as mice, keyboards and modems.

NETWORK & CONNECTIVITY

Bluetooth - A low-speed wireless technology that allows for short-range digital voice and data transmission.  Commonly used in cellular phones (to transfer images and music), wireless keyboards, and wireless mouse devices.

Broadband Connection - A term synonymous with high-speed Internet.

Cable Modem (High Speed) - A modem that transmits data to and from the Internet via a television cable connection.  Typically offered by a local cable television company.

DSL (High Speed) - An "always-on" technology that greatly increases the capacity of a standard telephone line to transmit data to and from the Internet.  Typically offered by a local telephone company.

Ethernet - A widely used local area network (LAN) access method.

FireWire - A high-speed data transfer technology used mostly in digital video or external hard drives.

LAN (Local Area Network) -  A communications network that serves users within a confined geographic region.

Modem (Low Speed) - A device that transmits data to and from the Internet via a standard telephone line.

Satellite Modem - In remote locations, where DSL and cable modems are unavailable, this device transmits and received signals from a satellite transponder.

Webmail -  An interface that allows users to read and write e-mail using a Web browser.

Wireless Network - A type of local-area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires.  This technology allows two or more computers to be linked wirelessly.

Wireless Network Card - Standard on laptop PCs, it connects to the Internet wirelessly.

STORAGE

CD - Typically stores 0.75 gigabytes of data.  This is equivalent to approximately 75 minutes of audio.

DVD - Typically stores 4.2 gigabytes of data.  This is equivalent to approximately one movie, or about 420 minutes of audio.

FireWire Drive - Similar to a USB pen drive, this external disk drive is plugged into a FireWire port.

Hard Drive - Capable of storing large amounts of data (150 gigabytes ore more).

USB Pen Drive - Accessed through the USB port, this small, portable device stores computer files.

Megabytes (MB)/Gigabytes (GB) - Units of computer memory or disk storage space equal to 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 megabytes.

Megahertz (MHz)/Gigabytes (GHz) - A measure of the speed at which information is processed equal to one million or one billion hertz.