Laptop Vs. Desktop
Before you start on your hunting spree for that perfect laptop, you need to
ask yourself one vital question - do you really need a laptop, or are you in
deep thought just because others around you have them?
Laptops are an ideal solution for those always on the move, and you do not
need to sacrifice on functionality, while maintaining portability.
It always helps clearly to identify your needs before deciding on a laptop
rather than a desktop. This will help save some of your hard-earned money.
Here
are some advantages and disadvantages of laptops over desktops that should
help in your decision making.
Advantages of a laptop over a desktop PC:
1. Portability
The primary reason why people prefer laptops is their portability. You can
comfortably carry one anywhere you want. If you are a frequent traveller,
laptops
prove very useful. Your laptop lets you carry all your emails, software,
presentations, sales material, etc., along. This way you always stay
connected,
no matter where you are.
2. Size and weight
Laptops are more compact than typical, bulky desktop PCs. A laptop contains
the main peripheral devices such as monitor, CPU, speakers, keyboard and
pointing
device, all these in a very compact form. If you do not have the necessary
work space at home or on your office desk, then opting for a laptop is the
smart
solution.
3. Integrated power supply
No doubt, desktops can be powered up with a UPS, but you will be shedding
precious bucks to get a UPS with decent back-up. On the other hand, a laptop
effectively comes with a built-in UPS. These days, laptops come with
lighter, yet powerful battery packs that provide backup for around 2-6 hours
depending
on the type of battery and the settings you choose. So, with some wise and
prudent moves, you should never face the problem of not being able to work
on
your laptop due to a power cut.
Disadvantages of a laptop over a desktop PC:
1. Technology
A laptop and a desktop PC with the same configuration cannot be equated in
terms of performance. The obvious question would be, why? The reason is the
type of components used in laptops. Desktops use power-hungry performance
parts that cannot be used in laptops, because laptops are balanced for
providing
performance, yet maintaining good battery life. Some of the recent
technologies developed for desktops are yet to find their place in laptops.
Therefore,
laptops are always a step behind desktops in terms of performance.
2. Comfort
While there are visible benefits, the comfort factor is an issue with
laptops. The foremost issue is the fact that with the keyboard and the
monitor joined
together, it sometimes becomes a problem for those with eyesight problems.
One will have to get used to a touch pad instead of a mouse, although you
can
cary a separate mouse to plug into the system. Many manufacturers claim
quality onboard speakers. However, these onboard speakers are never that
great
and for good quality it is usual to connect your laptop to an external
speaker. Although there are accessories like docking stations, USB mouse and
USB
speakers available in the market, once you connect them there is little
difference between a laptop and a desktop. Perhaps the biggest usability
problem
with laptops is the keyboard. Many people who do a great deal of writing and
editing prefer desktop machines where you can hit a single key instead of
a key combination for simple and often-used functions such as "Home", "End",
and so forth.
3. Upgrading
If you're planning on adding equipment to your computer at a later stage, a
desktop is preferable to a laptop. Upgrading a laptop is next to impossible.
It's extremely difficult to add hardware like a graphics card, or extra hard
drives. Even when you can upgrade, there are limited options. Laptops
usually
have two RAM slots that are pre-occupied with chips, typically 2x 512 MB.
This means that in order to upgrade, you will have to sacrifice older
hardware.
Do consider the above aspects while deciding whether a laptop is what you
need, or whether a desktop is your ideal choice.
Important Buying Factors: When Planning to Buy a Laptop
Buying a new laptop is an investment for sure, and you can make the best
possible choice only by thoroughly assessing your requirements. Whether
you're
buying a laptop for the first time or have been using one for ages, before
venturing on a new purchase, there are several factors that need to be
considered.
To make things easier for you, we've listed here the most important factors:
Processor (CPU)
The first bullet point in all those "specification" handouts that a laptop
salesperson will show you would most likely mention the processor in the
system.
The processor is one of the main components in a laptop and directly affects
performance as well as battery life. Over the past years, laptop processors
were comparatively slower when pitted against desktop alternatives, but not
anymore.
Today, faster multi-core processors are common in laptops. The processor
type differs depending on size, purpose or area of application of the
laptop.
Most laptops come with Intel or AMD processors, with either single- or
multi-core architectures. Considering average applications such as MS Office
or
other applications like Photoshop, a processor with a minimum clock speed of
1.6 GHz is essential. Unlike desktops, laptops cannot conveniently be
upgraded,
and so it's always better to choose a faster processor with the future in
mind.
Memory (RAM)
Once you've decided on the processor you require, you need to do justice to
it by letting it perform to its full potential by providing adequate system
memory. RAM, the random memory needed for your operating system, running
programs and their data, contributes to the overall system response time.
Consider
a situation where you have one of the fastest computers around, but not
enough memory to hold the programs and their data that you wish to run. Much
of
the program code and the data will have to be held on disk and brought into
memory when needed. At the same time, data that is not currently being
worked
on will be stored temporarily on disk. As the time taken to move data to and
from a disk is much greater than moving from memory to the processor, this
will slow the system down considerably.
In case this stretches your budget, find out if it will be possible to
upgrade later, or if it has to be done by a technician. These days, with
resource
hungry applications, we advise a minimum of 2 GB RAM as standard.
Display
The display abilities of a laptop are determined by the screen itself, as
well as the graphics processor.
Screens come in standard sizes and resolutions. Typically, larger displays
have a higher resolution, but then this impacts the portability of a laptop.
Wide screen displays are also gaining popularity as they help with better
viewing and comfortable working.
The graphics processor, on the other hand, determines performance that is
visible when it comes to 3D graphics and gaming. Laptops come with onboard
as
well as dedicated graphics solutions. The difference between the two is that
while onboard solutions provide low end or very basic performance, dedicated
graphics solutions from NVIDIA and ATI significantly enhance performance and
allow hi-end applications (newer generation games) and other 3D-intensive
applications to run more smoothly.
Ports
Every now and then, we have to connect additional peripherals to our
laptops. These may be wireless cards, USB drives, printers, mice or other
gadgets.
An adequate pool of available ports is very useful both for desktops as well
as laptops. Most modern day devices are designed to connect to USB ports.
If you have devices which use FireWire or other connections such as
Bluetooth or infrared, like many mobile phones, PMPs or video cameras do
these days,
make sure your laptop supports them by having the right connectors.
An expansion slot for PC cards is also a good idea. This comes in handy to
accommodate an internal modem, wireless card, additional Ethernet ports or a
better sound card. With high definition video and audio coming to laptops,
an HDMI port is also becoming common these days. HDMI replaces the old
S-Video
port and gives advantages such as single cable connection for both audio and
video. Headphone and microphone jacks are common, but some laptops come with
dual headphone jacks that can be used to connect your laptop to different
devices or even to utilise its multi-channel output.
Drives
Hard drives can be broadly classified into two different categories:
1. HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
2. ODD (Optical Disk Drive)
Your storage requirement entirely depends on your usage. A hard drive's
configuration is fairly straight forward in terms of size. These days,
laptops come
with 250 GB storage on a single HDD, but still you have to decide whether
you really need all that space. Another critical factor that determines your
overall system speed is the drive's rotation speed - a drive with a higher
spin rate yields faster data access times. However, these are more prone to
damage as well. This is one factor you must keep in mind while arriving at
your decision. Try and assess how much space you will need in your system,
and
then multiply by three.
Optical drives have evolved considerably over the years. You can either have
a simple CD-ROM drive for installing software, all the way up to the latest
high definition Blu-ray DVD burners as part of your configuration. In most
cases, laptops now come standard with a dual layer DVD burner. Blu-ray
drives
are starting to show up, but are extremely expensive.
Networking
One of the basic reasons to have a laptop is to be able to carry out all
your tasks while on the move. This involves your work for which you need to
send/receive
emails. Connecting to the internet or a local network is a crucial function
that you need to have f6r your laptop. Most laptops today include a built-in
56 kbps modem and Fast Ethernet (RJ45) port that handle data rates up to
1,000 Mbps. WiFi has now become a common feature in laptops. There are
several
standards for wireless connectivity, but a very basic connection would
require 802.11b/g support having a data rate of up to 54 Mbps.
Size and Weight
You can add up the best of everything and arrive at a monster of a laptop!
But then, that's what portability is all about - balancing your
configuration
for optimal performance and capacity on the one hand, and portability on the
other.
Although ultra portable laptops offer light weight solutions and a smaller
size, they also sacrifice on processing speeds, ODDs, expansion slots, etc.
Therefore, when looking for a laptop, consider these factors before making a
final decision. Also consider the weight of the accessories, especially the
AC adapter, because at times, laptops are light but after bundling
accessories, the whole package can become quite heavy to carry. If you
travel frequently,
or carry a lot of heavy things while on the move, a lightweight laptop with
a small form factor is what you need.
Battery Life
The best looking laptop is no good if it doesn't offer you adequate battery
time. This holds true even if the product you are considering is an Apple
Macbook
Air. Try to find the listed battery life for the standard battery, and see
if it suits your needs. It would be wise to look for a system with at least
two hours of battery life under normal conditions. If you need extended
battery life, then look for larger battery packs or media bays that can
double
as extra battery slots when required.
Warranty Plans
Laptops are more prone to breakdowns due to their portability. When buying a
system, make sure to get at least a year's warranty from the OEM. If you'll
be using the system heavily, a system that comes with a three year warranty
is ideal.
Consider several models while you are out there shopping. Consider all
models that meet your buying criteria, and compare them on features and
prices.
Your decision should not depend on someone else's preferences, but on your
own. After all, it's you who is going to use the laptop - don't be shy to
call
dealers and customer support of the OEMs to find out more about their
equipment. Check out the model physically whenever possible. Ask your
friends who
may have bought laptops recently or are currently using the one you wish to
buy. Narrow your choices down to a few models, and then seek the best deal
before finally buying your dream laptop!
Laptop Types
What type of laptop do you need?
Now that you've decided to go ahead and buy a laptop, deciding on one is the
next hurdle. When you go out to buy a laptop, the first question that you
need
to ask is "what kind of a laptop would meet my needs?" They come in
different shapes and sizes, each with its own set of merits and demerits.
Based on size and use, laptops are categorised into four main groups as
follows:
1. Ultra-portable
2. Light-weight
3. Mainstream
4. Desktop replacements (Power Laptops)
While ultra-portable laptops are easy to carry, they also have smaller
keyboards and displays, fewer features, and have lower performance levels
compared
to other laptops. On the other hand, desktop replacement laptops are heavy
and take up more space. However, they offer better performance, almost
equivalent
to that of a desktop PC. Hence, you need to think about what's ideal for
you - computing power, travel convenience, sleek and stylish design, or
lower
price. Decide accordingly after thoroughly examining along these lines.
1. Ultra-portable
The smallest and lightest among laptops, ultra-portables are meant for
frequent travellers who need to have their PC with them all the time. For
better
portability and greater ease of use, you need to compromise in areas of
performance and some other features and settle for a smaller screen and
touch pad.
Also, ultra-portables have the best-in-class battery backup - a must have
for the wanderer. Some even have a battery backup of almost 18 hours with
emerging
technologies.
The hidden cost is, however, the heavy price tag - almost 2-3 times that of
mainstream laptops. Eventually, it depends on how important price is to you,
when weighed against comfort.
. Some of the key highlights of ultra-portables are:
. Slim and light weight
. Display ranges from 7 to 11 inches
. Low-power consumption processors such as the Intel Atom or the AMD Mobile
Athlon / Sempron
. Fewer ports and connections
. 60 GB to 120 GB hard drive (SSD options also coming in some)
. May lack an internal optical drive
2. Light-weight
A light-weight laptop is an effective balance between portability,
performance and features. Light-weight laptops have mobile processors (like
Intel Centrino
/ Pentium Mobile) and configurations that deliver sufficient power to manage
your work easily. Unlike ultra-portables, most lightweight laptops have
larger
keyboards and displays and offer larger hard disk drives. As far as cost is
involved, these are more expensive than the heavier mainstream laptops.
However,
they provide maximum productivity with a portable form factor. This is the
best choice if you require performance and need to travel frequently for
work.
Some of the key defining features of lightweight laptops are:
. Portability and light weight
. Display ranges from 11 to 15.4 inches
. Mobile processors up to 2.4 GHz
. Come with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth (optional in some)
. 80 to 160 GB hard drive options available
. Price ranges from Rs. 60,000 to 1,20,000.
. Battery backup up to 4 hours with 9 batteries.
3. Mainstream
Mainstream laptops are mid-size laptops that are good in terms of
performance. They come at a higher price too. These laptops are not
specialised for providing
better portability, but are still better than desktop replacements. A
mainstream laptop is well suited for people with all-round computing needs,
ranging
from basic computing and online communication, to entertainment. These
laptops offer more value for the buck with their varied applications and
uses. Nevertheless,
they are not well suited for regular travellers.
. Some of the key defining features of mainstream laptops are:
. Larger and bulkier
. Display ranges from 13.3 to 15.4 inches
. Feature full-size keyboards and touch pads
. High performance single- and multi-core processors
. 120 to 320 GB hard drive options available
. DVD burner/reader, memory card reader, LAN, modem, WiFi and Bluetooth
. Smaller battery backup of 2 to 3 hours
4. Desktop Replacements (Power Laptops)
The biggest and the bulkiest among laptops are those meant for desktop
replacement. These are designed to deliver the power and features that a
desktop
PC provides, but in a smaller form factor. Normally, desktop replacements
are quite bulky and hence are not at all suitable for regular travellers.
Desktop
replacements offer the best performance, largest screens and keyboards, and
the most complete set of features available on a laptop. With much higher
configurations
compared to other laptops, they can deliver enough power for serious gaming,
multimedia authoring, and even high-level digital audio and video content
authoring. If you have limited space at home or your office desk, but want
higher levels of computing power, then these are your safe bet.
Some of the key defining features of desktop replacements are:
. Heavier than most laptops
. Display ranges from 15 to 19 inches
. Full-size keyboards with dedicated numeric keys and touch pads
. High performance multi-core processors
. Dedicated high-performance video and audio solutions
. 160 to 500 GB hard drive options available with dual HDD as an option.
. DVD burner/reader, memory card reader, LAN, modem, WiFi and Bluetooth
. Maximum number of ports available
. Least battery backup of 30-40 minutes for emergency.
Laptop Components and Features
You've found the perfect laptop that you need, but you surely don't want to
be illiterate with the associated jargon that is going to come your way. So
what do terms like AGP, BIOS, RAM, Ethernet or even hyper-threading mean? In
case you're not familiar with these terms, read on for better understanding.
AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
This enables the quick display of 3D graphics on ordinary computers. Just as
modified bikes and automotive engines deliver increased power, AGP results
in a significant increase in processing speeds by channelling the graphics
information to the on-board RAM, rather than system memory. The result is
improved
texture mapping, buffering and shading.
A few years ago, graphics systems used the standard PCI bus and slots. AGP
was developed in order to provide the higher data transfer rates that
graphics
requires. Most motherboards now have a standard AGP slot. In fact, some
motherboards come with built-in AGP graphics.
Bandwidth
In computing terms, bandwidth refers to the data transfer capability of a
channel (physical media for interconnectivity) within a specified duration.
By
convention, this time duration is one second. Consider a typical example of
a 2 Mbps leased line. Here, 2 Mbps signifies that the line, with a bandwidth
of 2 Mbps has the capability to transfer 2 Mb of data per second.
BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
The BIOS is a set of software routines that enable data to be input to the
system and also output. This includes, for example, routines for keyboard
and
mouse input and input via ports - serial parallel, USB, and so forth. For
output, it provides routines that send characters and graphics to the screen
or to a printer; also output to ports, and so forth. The BIOS also includes
routines for reading and writing disk drives. The BIOS is held in a ROM chip
in the computer, and is loaded into system memory at the time of power-up.
This is immediately followed by the POST (Power On Self Test) routines that
check out the system. If there is a problem with memory, the BIOS cannot be
loaded and so characters cannot be sent to the display. For this reason,
memory
errors are indicated by the machine beeping.
Bit (Binary Digit)
The bit is the fundamental unit of digital information. With computers being
digital systems, all information is represented in bits. In digital logic
systems,
there are just two states - the supply voltage Vcc that is commonly +5 V or
ground voltage 0 V. This means, information is represented as a combination
of voltage highs or lows, where a high (1) is +5 V and low (0) is 0 V.
Byte
A byte is made up of 8 bits, and is the measurement unit used to describe
the storage capacity and transfer rate of digital systems. One kilobyte is
1,024
bytes. Similarly, one megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes and so on. A byte is the
basic unit of information processed by computers, and can have numeric
values
from 0 to 255. It is for this reason that the basic character set consists
of up to 256 characters.
Cache
Pronounced 'cash', this refers to space used to temporarily store data, for
rapid access. The word is used in three main contexts: a memory cache, which
sits between the main CPU and system memory; disk cache, which sits between
a disk drive and system memory; and an internet cache, which is a store on
disk of the web pages that have most recently been accessed by your web
browser.
If your CPU is processing a set of data that is held in memory, the system
starts to bring this data into the cache. The data can be quickly accessed
from
there by the CPU, and while the CPU is processing a small amount of data,
more data can be accessed from the slower system memory and brought into the
cache, from where it is rapidly available to the CPU when required. This can
speed up over-all processing quite considerably.
Cookie
Many websites store a small file of information on your PC when you access
them. This provides certain information that the owners of the sites
consider
helps them to provide a better service. For example, with Yahoo!, all your
preferences are stored as a cookie text file on your system. The next time
you
access Yahoo!, you don't have to set your geographical location, or content
preferences. The web site just refers to the cookies stored on your system
and sets itself to suit your needs. It's through the use of cookies that
each time you browse Yahoo!, it directs you to in.yahoo.com, rather than the
US
or Australian version of the page.
Web sites often use cookies to collect demographic statistics, decipher your
shopping basket when you shop online or find out your frequently visited
sites.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
This refers to the processor in your computer system. Its main components
are as follows:
· CU - The control unit sequences, controls and times the other
functions of the CPU. The control unit ensures that all operations are
carried out
in a coordinated manner, and can be referred to as the 'brain within the
brain' of the computer.
· Registers - These are temporary memory locations, which hold
binary data and store the results of ALU calculations and digital logic
states. In
a 32-bit processor, the registers are 32 bits wide.
· ALU - The arithmetic logic unit performs basic calculations on
data, either accessed directly from memory, or from registers. It performs,
for
example, additions, subtractions, etc., also logical functions such as AND
and OR.
· BUS - This carries data between memory and registers.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory and has this name because the CPU
does not have to read through the data sequentially, but can access any of
the data held in memory; at random. This contrasts with older systems where
data was held on a medium such as magnetic tape - with such a system, the
machine
had to work through all the data preceding it before it found the item it
needed.
The RAM holds both the program code of any application (including the
operating system) that is running on the PC, together with data that is
needed by
the application. These are then accessed directly by the CPU. If not all of
the required program code and data can fit into the available RAM, some code
and data has to be stored on the hard disk and brought into RAM when
required. As accessing data from the hard disk is much slower than from RAM,
the quantity
of RAM in a machine can significantly affect performance - too little RAM,
and your PC will run slowly, no matter how fast is your processor.
SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory)
This refers to a type of memory (DRAM) that can synchronise itself with the
processor's bus speed and can run at much higher speeds than its
predecessors.
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
DRAM works differently from SDRAM as it needs to be refreshed to continue
holding the data. This means a slight loss of speed as the memory refreshes.
DDR (Double Data Rate)
DDR refers to a specification of RAM. With DDR, you can transfer data at
double the rate of normal SDRAM. This is possible by transferring data twice
per
clock cycle, once on the rising edge and once on the falling edge of the
cycle.
DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module)
This is a type of memory module commonly used in modern laptops and
computers.
DIMMs have a 64-bit data path, and are widely used in laptops with 64-bit
processors as they don't need to be doubled up, unlike SIMMs.
"Dual in-line" refers to the way chips are mounted on the module. They come
in either a 144-pin or 168-pin package. The 144-pin module is commonly used
for laptops.
DOS (Disk Operating System)
DOS was the first widely used operating system for IBM PCs. Unlike its
successor, Windows, DOS is a command line oriented operating system. The
first version
of DOS, called PC-DOS, was developed for IBM by Bill Gates' Microsoft, after
it had bought the predecessor QDOS (Quick and Dirty Operating System) from
Seattle Computer Products. Later, Microsoft, by exploiting a smart loophole
in the agreement with IBM, retained rights to distribute a version of its
own.
This version was named MS-DOS, which was later replaced by Windows. The
first versions of Windows used DOS as their base and were launched from DOS
in
the same way as an application.
Ethernet
Ethernet is a basic LAN architecture developed by Robert Metcalfe and his
Xerox Corporation colleagues at PARC in the early 1970s. Ethernet supports
data
transfer rates up to 10 Mbps. A newer implementation of the Ethernet
specification, 100 Base-T, supports data transfer up to 100 Mbps. The latest
standard
(Gigabit Ethernet) can support data transfers up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gigabit).
Firewall
This is a security program that protects your computer from unauthorised
access through a network and/or the internet. A firewall is very important
to have
if your computer is connected directly to the internet.
Graphics Card
A graphics card controls and reproduces text and images to be displayed on
your screen. These may either be still or motion pictures. Graphic cards
come
with various specifications, and unless they are built-in to the motherboard
(main board), they have their own RAM. Some models are equipped with a
TV-out
feature that lets you connect the graphics card to your TV/VCR. This is
useful if your laptop has a DVD player and you want to watch a DVD on your
domestic
TV.
Graphic cards also come with different slot types, although the most common
one is the AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port). You can still get PCI
(Peripheral
Component Interconnect) graphic cards with older motherboards.
Built-in graphic cards use the system's RAM for their functioning. You can
assign the amount of RAM that is allocated for this purpose from your BIOS
setup.
Laptops have either a dedicated graphics card or on-board (on the system
board) graphics.
Hard Disk / Hard Drive
This is your computer's main storage device. This is where you would
normally keep your programs and files. These devices contain magnetic
platters (the
disks) that rotate at speeds of 5,400 rpm and above. An actuator (similar in
structure to an arm) moves across the platters and reads / writes the
information
with READ/WRITE heads. The size of the gap between the READ/WRITE heads and
the platter is typically that of human hair.
Hyperthreading
Hyperthreading refers to a technology developed by Intel that is
incorporated into some of Intel's Pentium 4 and later processors.
Hyperthreading extends
the multi-tasking capability of the processor by allowing more than one
instruction thread (stream of instructions) to be processed at a time. Most
processors
can only process one instruction thread at a time. With hyperthreading, this
is extended to two threads resulting in a significant increase in processor
performance. This is a half-way step between a single processor and having
two cores - two processors - on the same unit. Certain resources are
duplicated
to allow the processing of two threads.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
IDE (also known as ATA, AT Attachment) refers to a hard drive standard, in
which the controller is integrated into the device. This standard ended the
need
for separate disk controllers.
Ilink/ Firewire
A fast digital link for transferring video, audio and other data between two
devices. IEEE 1394 (Firewire) refers to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical
and
Electronics Engineers) digital connectivity standard, commonly referred to
as Firewire. Apple Inc., Sony Corporation and a few others helped to develop
the IEEE 1394 standard, and this interface is now gaining popularity. Some
common devices using the IEEE 1394 interface are digital video cameras, hard
drives and storage devices. It offers real-time, bi-directional, fast data
transfer along with plug-and-play compatibility for ease of use.
IEEE 1394/Firewire characteristics:
. IEEE 1394a - Firewire 400
? Data Throughput: 400Mbps
? Maximum Cable Length: 4.5 metres
. IEEE 1394b - Firewire 800
? Data Throughput: 800Mbps
? Maximum Cable Length: 100 metres
Firewire is the registered trademark of Apple's IEEE 1394 digital
connection. iLink is the registered trademark of Sony's IEEE 1394 digital
connection.
Internet Service Providers
An internet service provider is a company that provides you access to the
internet, and all other associated services, which may include voice over
internet
facilities to place calls using the internet (VoIP).
Modular Bay
A cavity in a notebook used primarily for removable drives, but also for
accessories. A two-bay notebook has an internal bay for the hard drive and a
second
bay for a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, floppy disk drive, or a spare battery.
Modem (MOdulator DEModulator)
A communications device used to connect to a network, e.g. the internet. The
most common type is the internal modem that uses a PCI interface to connect
to the motherboard. Another type of modem is the external type, and has its
own power supply. It is connected using a serial or USB cable. These days,
most laptops come fitted with internal modems.
Motherboard/Mainboard
A motherboard (mainboard) is the main circuit board within a
computer/laptop. Most modern motherboards come with the following features:
. A processor slot (type will depend on the board specifications)
. Memory banks
. AGP slot
. PCI slots
. IDE interface
. USB ports
Operating System
This is the main software that drives a computer system, for example,
Windows. All installed programs run under the control of the operating
system. It
provides more extensive services for applications than the simple BIOS
(described above). Simple operating systems load and execute programs,
providing
them with input/output and other services. More advanced systems use
graphical user interfaces to give the user much easier control over both
programs
and data.
RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks)
RAID refers to a hard disk technology that uses multiple disks to speed up
data transfer and/or provide disk redundancy through disk system fault
tolerance.
The concept of RAID is generally implemented on servers, and is not required
for home PCs. There are several variations of a RAID configuration referred
to as levels. RAID configurations are commonly found in data critical
applications.
Serial Port
A communications port that connects the computer to other peripherals such
as printers and modems. A serial port transmits data sequentially (one bit
at
a time) as opposed to parallel ports that transmit 8 bits at a time. The use
of both serial and parallel ports has largely been replaced by USB.
Sound Card
This is an internal device, which controls and produces sound and drives
audio devices. Sound cards come with various specifications. For example,
some
have more outputs than others, allowing for 5.1 surround sound. Similarly,
others have a higher sampling frequency to give better sound recording.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
This is a fairly recent feature in newer computers that simplifies adding
peripherals (mice, printers, scanners, etc) to your laptop. Most laptops
come
with built-in USB ports. The number of USB ports depends on the manufacturer
and the model. USB 2.0 is a newer implementation of the USB standard and was
jointly developed by Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, NEC and
Phillips. It provides a higher data transfer rate of up to 480 Mbps.
Widescreen display
An LCD display with a width-to-height ratio of 16:10 or 16:9 instead of 4:3,
is classified as a widescreen display. These are more suited for video
content.
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