Some Useful Terms in Buying PCs
By The Associated Press
A brief glossary of some computer terms:
PC -- Short for Personal Computer. Although the term often is used to describe to any type of personal computer, PC specifically refers to computers that conform to the PC standard developed by IBM.
Processor -- Also known as the CPU, or Central Processing Unit. The processor is what makes the PC run, or the brains of the system, and is contained on a single chip.
Megahertz, or MHz -- Used to measure the transmission speed of the processor. Megahertz is equivalent to one million bits per second.
Byte -- The common unit of computer storage. Each byte holds the equivalent of a single character.
Megabyte, or MB -- One million bytes
Gigabyte, or GB -- One billion bytes.
Random Access Memory, or RAM -- A group of memory chips that functions as the computer's primary workspace. Measured in megabytes, RAM determines the size and number of programs that can be run simultaneously and the amount of data that can be processed instantly.
DRAM and SDRAM -- The most common type of computer memory on today's systems is called dynamic RAM, or DRAM. Synchronous DRAM, or SDRAM, is the fastest type of memory available.
Hard drive, or hard disk -- The primary computer storage space. Most hard disks are permanently sealed in the drive. The available space is usually measured in gigabytes.
Modem, or MOdulator-DEModulator -- An internal device that adapts a computer to a telephone line, allowing users access to the Internet and other online services.
Monitor -- The display screen of the personal computer.
DVD-ROM -- A new family of optical discs that are the same overall dimensions of a CD, or compact disc, but have significantly higher capacities. A read-only DVD is used for storing data. Considered the successor to the read-only CD-ROM, it enables PC users to view full-length movies, play high-end games and listen to music.
Zip Disk -- A 3.5-inch removable disk drive created by the company Iomega (NYSE:IOM - news) and used in PCs to store data. It provides 100 megabytes of removable cartridge space. |
