The official LAPTOP SPECS speeds capacity's.
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:56 am
Hey Guys Here is just about EVERYTHING you kneed to know about understanding Laptop Spec's
MODERATORS: this would be a great "sticky" please Review for accuracy.
I copied This froma web site.
System Type
Laptop
Sometimes the term laptop and notebook computer is used interchangeably. The laptop however, is a little larger than a notebook. A laptop accommodates a built-in disk drive, or a removeable CD-ROM drive.
Notebook
A notebook computer is a little smaller than a laptop and does not have a built-in drive so you need to connect the CD-ROM drive with a cable.
Tablet PC
A tablet PC is more mobile than a laptop and allows you to write directly on the screen of your PC.
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Operating System
Every computer needs to have an operating system (OS) to run other programs. Operating systems keep track of directories and files, and control disk drives and printers. Operating systems provide a platform in order to run application programs. The operating system largely determines the type of applications you can run on your computer.
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Input Device Type
Input device type refers to the input devices installed in the hardware of the laptop. While all keyboards are similar, many manufacturers have different styles of pointing devices. Almost all new laptops have the abilitly to plug in external pointing devices such as a mouse used with desktop computers.
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Power Source
NiMH: Nickel metal hydride: High-capacity rechargeable batteries.
NiCd: Nickel cadmium: Common rechargeable batteries. NiCds have roughly half the capacity of NiMH cells.
Lithium: Are non-rechargeable batteries roughly 2,100 mAh, or better. Long shelf life up to ten years.
Alkaline: The most common types of non-rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable alkaline: An 1,800 mAh alkaline battery that can be recharged, 12 to 25 times.
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Average Battery Life
Average battery life is the amount of time you can use the laptop before the battery must be recharged.
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Processor Manufacturer
The processor manufacturer is the company that manufactures the processor. A processor is the central unit in a computer containing the logic circuitry that performs the instructions of a computer's programs. Even processors with the same listed speed vary form manufacturer to manufacturer.
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Processor Type
The CPU (central processing unit) is the brains of your computer and determines how quickly your laptop performs tasks or runs applications. Your CPU performance is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The performance or speed of your laptop computer will vary according to the different types of processors.
Intel Computer Processors:
Celeron processors are good for home use and basic tasks like word processing and e-mail. Celeron processors are found in budget computers.
Pentium 4 processors are perfect for business workstations as they perform very well.
Xeon processors are a step beyond the Pentium 4 and offer superb performance for running a small business.
AMD Computer Processors:
Duron processors are similar to Celoron processors (though they are less expensive) and are found in budget computers. Duron processors were phased out in 2002.
Athlon processors are top of the line and are similar to Pentium for business workstation use.
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Processor Speed
Processor speed affects how quickly your PC runs applications and performs basic tasks. Processor speed is measured in million (MHz) or billions (GHz) per second.
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Bus Speed
Is the speed, measured in megaherz that the cpu communicates with the ram and
motherboard. Also known as the Front Side Bus (FSB)
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Level 2 Cache
Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory. Cache memory is sometimes described in levels of closeness and accessability to the microprocessor. An L1 cache is on the same chip as the microprocessor. (For example, the PowerPC 601 processor has a 32 kilobyte level-1 cache built into its chip.) L2 Cache is usually a separate static RAM (SRAM) chip. The main RAM is usually a dynamic RAM (DRAM) chip.
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Hard Drive Interface Type
IDE: (Integrated Drive Electronics) is a standard electronic interface used between a computer motherboard's data paths or bus and the computer's disk storage devices. The IDE interface is based on the IBM PC Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) 16-bit bus standard, but it is also used in computers that use other bus standards.
EIDE: (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) is a standard electronic interface between your computer and its mass storage drives. EIDE's enhancements to Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) make it possible to address a hard disk larger than 528 Mbytes. EIDE also provides faster access to the hard drive, support for Direct Memory Access (DMA), and support for additional drives, including CD-ROM and tape devices through the AT Attachment Packet Interface.
SATA: (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a new standard for connecting hard drives into computer systems. As its name implies, SATA is based on serial signaling technology, unlike IDE hard drives that use parallel signaling.
SCSI: (Small Computer System Interface) is a set of ANSI standard electronic interfaces that allow personal computers to communicate with peripheral hardware such as disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM drives, printers, and scanners faster and more flexibly than previous interfaces. Developed at Apple Computer and still used in the Macintosh, the present set of SCSIs are parallel interfaces.
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Hard Drive Type
In a laptop, a hard disk drive (HDD) is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk, which furnishes the largest amount of data storage for the PC.
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Memory Card Slot
A memory card slot reads removable memory cards compatible with portable devices.
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Installed Memory
Is the installed memory in your computer’s hardware that is measured in (MB) megabytes or (GB) gigabytes. With more memory your PC will perform better and will allow you to run multiple applications at once.
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RAM Type
RAM (random access memory) refers to the type of memory that is compatible with the motherboard. There are many types of RAM available for your laptop. See the information below for the main types of RAM.
DDR (Double Data Rate) DDR is the current standard for RAM memory and delivers better bandwidth than SDRAM.
RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) delivers speed and performance but is a little more expensive than DDR.
SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) synchronizes with the CPU clock for a fast data transfer.
DRAM (dynamic RAM) is a classic form of RAM, but has been replaced by SDRAM.
EDO (extended data-out RAM) faster than DRAM but has been replaced by SDRAM.
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Maximum Supported RAM
Maximum upgradable memory supported by the motherboard.
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Drive Type
Refers to the function of the optical media drive.
CD-ROM: Reads CD-ROM only
CD-RW: Reads and (re)writes CD-ROM. Media holds 680MB
DVD-ROM: Reads both DVD and CD-ROM
DVD/CD-RW: Reads DVD, Reads and (re)writes CD-ROM
DVD-R: Reads and writes DVD and CD-ROM
DVD-RW: Reads and (re)writes both DVD and CD-ROM. Can only be rewritten 1,000 times. Media holds 4.7 GB
DVD-RAM: Same as DVD-RW but can be rewritten 100, 000 times
Media holds 4.7GB and double sided 9.4 GB.
DVD+RW: Same as DVD-RW but are more accessible with consumer DVD players.
Media holds 4.7GB and double sided 9.4 GB.
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Diagonal Screen Size
Diagonal screen size is the size of the viewable screen measured from the bottom corner diagonally to the opposite top corner.
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Screen Type
LCD:( Liquid Crystal Display) usually used in notebooks and flat screens monitors.
TFT: (Thin Film Transistor) a type of LCD that allows for better resolution by controlling each pixel with 1 to 4 transistors.
Active MatrixActive matrix technology uses an electronic switch to turn on each pixel of your display. Once each pixel is turned on, the entire field can be managed as a field. Active matrix is better than passive matrix for viewing motion video or fast moving applications.
Passive MatrixThere is no electronic switch in passive matrix technology. Passive matrix driving works in cycles on a grid pattern to supply the charge to the pixels and must scan the panel repeatedly to maintain an image. This type of technology, since it is slower than an active matrix, may produce blurry images and a ghosting effect.
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Color Resolution
Measured in bits, the data width determines the amount of colors that the monitor can display. Higher bit width allows for more colors.
4-bit: 16 Colors
8-bit: 256 Colors
16-bit: 65,536 Colors
24-bit:16,777,216 Colors
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Maximum Resolution
Maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the monitor's screen.
15 in.1024 x 768
17in.1600 x 1200
19 in.1600 x 1200
21 in.1800 x 1440
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Video Card Type
The video card in your computer serves as an interface between your CPU and your computer monitor. A video card processes the data for display on your monitor. Graphic intensive programs need a powerful video card .
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Video Memory
Video memory is the amount of RAM installed on the video card which enhances the refresh rate of the screen and 3D image processing.
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Maximum Video Resolution
Maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the monitor's screen.
15 in.1024 x 768
17in.1600 x 1200
19 in.1600 x 1200
21 in.1800 x 1440
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Video Outputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
S-Video (Super-Video, sometimes referred to as Y/C Video) S-video uses a special 5-pin connector in which the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are transmitted separately to achieve superior picture clarity. The luminance signal (Y) carries brightness information, which defines the black and white portion, and the chrominance signal (C) carries color information, which defines hue and saturation.
Component Video each color is maintained in a separate channel. As with RGB (red, green, and blue) Levels of R, G, and B can each range from 0 to 100% of full intensity. Each level is represented by the range of decimal numbers from 0 to 255 (256 levels for each color) and converted to YUV (Y, Cr, Cb) to obtain any color in the visible spectrum.
Coaxial Cable One physical channel that carries the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by another concentric physical channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as a ground. Many of these cables or pairs of coaxial tubes can be placed in a single outer sheathing and, with repeaters, can carry information for a great distance. Depending on the carrier technology used and other factors, twisted pair copper wire and optical fiber are alternatives to coaxial cable.
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Sound Card Type
A sound card allows your computer to communicate with your speakers to produce sound. Sound card quality is reflected in bits, and and a sound card with more bits will give you better quality sound.
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Close window
Audio Inputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
1/8 in. Stereo Mini: A mini stero plug similar to 1/4 in. Most common in portable audio devices and computer sound cards.
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Close window
Audio Outputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
1/8 in. Stereo Mini: A mini stero plug similar to 1/4 in. Most common in portable audio devices and computer sound cards.
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Close window
Modem Type
A modem is used to connect to the internet through a phone line and also to send or receive faxed documents.
Analog Modems
Analog is the process of taking an audio or video signal and translating it into electronic pulses. Analog modems send data over the telephone network as a series of tones.
Digital Modems
Digital technology breaks the signal into binary code (a series of 1’s and 0’s), transfers through, and reassembles them into the original signal. Digital technology allows you to have more information than analog does in the same amount of space.
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MODERATORS: this would be a great "sticky" please Review for accuracy.
I copied This froma web site.
System Type
Laptop
Sometimes the term laptop and notebook computer is used interchangeably. The laptop however, is a little larger than a notebook. A laptop accommodates a built-in disk drive, or a removeable CD-ROM drive.
Notebook
A notebook computer is a little smaller than a laptop and does not have a built-in drive so you need to connect the CD-ROM drive with a cable.
Tablet PC
A tablet PC is more mobile than a laptop and allows you to write directly on the screen of your PC.
Back to top
Close window
Operating System
Every computer needs to have an operating system (OS) to run other programs. Operating systems keep track of directories and files, and control disk drives and printers. Operating systems provide a platform in order to run application programs. The operating system largely determines the type of applications you can run on your computer.
Back to top
Close window
Input Device Type
Input device type refers to the input devices installed in the hardware of the laptop. While all keyboards are similar, many manufacturers have different styles of pointing devices. Almost all new laptops have the abilitly to plug in external pointing devices such as a mouse used with desktop computers.
Back to top
Close window
Power Source
NiMH: Nickel metal hydride: High-capacity rechargeable batteries.
NiCd: Nickel cadmium: Common rechargeable batteries. NiCds have roughly half the capacity of NiMH cells.
Lithium: Are non-rechargeable batteries roughly 2,100 mAh, or better. Long shelf life up to ten years.
Alkaline: The most common types of non-rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable alkaline: An 1,800 mAh alkaline battery that can be recharged, 12 to 25 times.
Back to top
Close window
Average Battery Life
Average battery life is the amount of time you can use the laptop before the battery must be recharged.
Back to top
Close window
Processor Manufacturer
The processor manufacturer is the company that manufactures the processor. A processor is the central unit in a computer containing the logic circuitry that performs the instructions of a computer's programs. Even processors with the same listed speed vary form manufacturer to manufacturer.
Back to top
Close window
Processor Type
The CPU (central processing unit) is the brains of your computer and determines how quickly your laptop performs tasks or runs applications. Your CPU performance is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). The performance or speed of your laptop computer will vary according to the different types of processors.
Intel Computer Processors:
Celeron processors are good for home use and basic tasks like word processing and e-mail. Celeron processors are found in budget computers.
Pentium 4 processors are perfect for business workstations as they perform very well.
Xeon processors are a step beyond the Pentium 4 and offer superb performance for running a small business.
AMD Computer Processors:
Duron processors are similar to Celoron processors (though they are less expensive) and are found in budget computers. Duron processors were phased out in 2002.
Athlon processors are top of the line and are similar to Pentium for business workstation use.
Back to top
Close window
Processor Speed
Processor speed affects how quickly your PC runs applications and performs basic tasks. Processor speed is measured in million (MHz) or billions (GHz) per second.
Back to top
Close window
Bus Speed
Is the speed, measured in megaherz that the cpu communicates with the ram and
motherboard. Also known as the Front Side Bus (FSB)
Back to top
Close window
Level 2 Cache
Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory. Cache memory is sometimes described in levels of closeness and accessability to the microprocessor. An L1 cache is on the same chip as the microprocessor. (For example, the PowerPC 601 processor has a 32 kilobyte level-1 cache built into its chip.) L2 Cache is usually a separate static RAM (SRAM) chip. The main RAM is usually a dynamic RAM (DRAM) chip.
Back to top
Close window
Hard Drive Interface Type
IDE: (Integrated Drive Electronics) is a standard electronic interface used between a computer motherboard's data paths or bus and the computer's disk storage devices. The IDE interface is based on the IBM PC Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) 16-bit bus standard, but it is also used in computers that use other bus standards.
EIDE: (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) is a standard electronic interface between your computer and its mass storage drives. EIDE's enhancements to Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) make it possible to address a hard disk larger than 528 Mbytes. EIDE also provides faster access to the hard drive, support for Direct Memory Access (DMA), and support for additional drives, including CD-ROM and tape devices through the AT Attachment Packet Interface.
SATA: (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a new standard for connecting hard drives into computer systems. As its name implies, SATA is based on serial signaling technology, unlike IDE hard drives that use parallel signaling.
SCSI: (Small Computer System Interface) is a set of ANSI standard electronic interfaces that allow personal computers to communicate with peripheral hardware such as disk drives, tape drives, CD-ROM drives, printers, and scanners faster and more flexibly than previous interfaces. Developed at Apple Computer and still used in the Macintosh, the present set of SCSIs are parallel interfaces.
Back to top
Close window
Hard Drive Type
In a laptop, a hard disk drive (HDD) is the mechanism that controls the positioning, reading, and writing of the hard disk, which furnishes the largest amount of data storage for the PC.
Back to top
Close window
Memory Card Slot
A memory card slot reads removable memory cards compatible with portable devices.
Back to top
Close window
Installed Memory
Is the installed memory in your computer’s hardware that is measured in (MB) megabytes or (GB) gigabytes. With more memory your PC will perform better and will allow you to run multiple applications at once.
Back to top
Close window
RAM Type
RAM (random access memory) refers to the type of memory that is compatible with the motherboard. There are many types of RAM available for your laptop. See the information below for the main types of RAM.
DDR (Double Data Rate) DDR is the current standard for RAM memory and delivers better bandwidth than SDRAM.
RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) delivers speed and performance but is a little more expensive than DDR.
SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) synchronizes with the CPU clock for a fast data transfer.
DRAM (dynamic RAM) is a classic form of RAM, but has been replaced by SDRAM.
EDO (extended data-out RAM) faster than DRAM but has been replaced by SDRAM.
Back to top
Close window
Maximum Supported RAM
Maximum upgradable memory supported by the motherboard.
Back to top
Close window
Drive Type
Refers to the function of the optical media drive.
CD-ROM: Reads CD-ROM only
CD-RW: Reads and (re)writes CD-ROM. Media holds 680MB
DVD-ROM: Reads both DVD and CD-ROM
DVD/CD-RW: Reads DVD, Reads and (re)writes CD-ROM
DVD-R: Reads and writes DVD and CD-ROM
DVD-RW: Reads and (re)writes both DVD and CD-ROM. Can only be rewritten 1,000 times. Media holds 4.7 GB
DVD-RAM: Same as DVD-RW but can be rewritten 100, 000 times
Media holds 4.7GB and double sided 9.4 GB.
DVD+RW: Same as DVD-RW but are more accessible with consumer DVD players.
Media holds 4.7GB and double sided 9.4 GB.
Back to top
Close window
Diagonal Screen Size
Diagonal screen size is the size of the viewable screen measured from the bottom corner diagonally to the opposite top corner.
Back to top
Close window
Screen Type
LCD:( Liquid Crystal Display) usually used in notebooks and flat screens monitors.
TFT: (Thin Film Transistor) a type of LCD that allows for better resolution by controlling each pixel with 1 to 4 transistors.
Active MatrixActive matrix technology uses an electronic switch to turn on each pixel of your display. Once each pixel is turned on, the entire field can be managed as a field. Active matrix is better than passive matrix for viewing motion video or fast moving applications.
Passive MatrixThere is no electronic switch in passive matrix technology. Passive matrix driving works in cycles on a grid pattern to supply the charge to the pixels and must scan the panel repeatedly to maintain an image. This type of technology, since it is slower than an active matrix, may produce blurry images and a ghosting effect.
Back to top
Close window
Color Resolution
Measured in bits, the data width determines the amount of colors that the monitor can display. Higher bit width allows for more colors.
4-bit: 16 Colors
8-bit: 256 Colors
16-bit: 65,536 Colors
24-bit:16,777,216 Colors
Back to top
Close window
Maximum Resolution
Maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the monitor's screen.
15 in.1024 x 768
17in.1600 x 1200
19 in.1600 x 1200
21 in.1800 x 1440
Back to top
Close window
Video Card Type
The video card in your computer serves as an interface between your CPU and your computer monitor. A video card processes the data for display on your monitor. Graphic intensive programs need a powerful video card .
Back to top
Close window
Video Memory
Video memory is the amount of RAM installed on the video card which enhances the refresh rate of the screen and 3D image processing.
Back to top
Close window
Maximum Video Resolution
Maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the monitor's screen.
15 in.1024 x 768
17in.1600 x 1200
19 in.1600 x 1200
21 in.1800 x 1440
Back to top
Close window
Video Outputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
S-Video (Super-Video, sometimes referred to as Y/C Video) S-video uses a special 5-pin connector in which the luminance signal and the chrominance signal are transmitted separately to achieve superior picture clarity. The luminance signal (Y) carries brightness information, which defines the black and white portion, and the chrominance signal (C) carries color information, which defines hue and saturation.
Component Video each color is maintained in a separate channel. As with RGB (red, green, and blue) Levels of R, G, and B can each range from 0 to 100% of full intensity. Each level is represented by the range of decimal numbers from 0 to 255 (256 levels for each color) and converted to YUV (Y, Cr, Cb) to obtain any color in the visible spectrum.
Coaxial Cable One physical channel that carries the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by another concentric physical channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as a ground. Many of these cables or pairs of coaxial tubes can be placed in a single outer sheathing and, with repeaters, can carry information for a great distance. Depending on the carrier technology used and other factors, twisted pair copper wire and optical fiber are alternatives to coaxial cable.
Back to top
Close window
Sound Card Type
A sound card allows your computer to communicate with your speakers to produce sound. Sound card quality is reflected in bits, and and a sound card with more bits will give you better quality sound.
Back to top
Close window
Audio Inputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
1/8 in. Stereo Mini: A mini stero plug similar to 1/4 in. Most common in portable audio devices and computer sound cards.
Back to top
Close window
Audio Outputs
Composite Video Also called baseband video or RCA video, is the analog waveform that conveys the image data in a conventional National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) television signal. Composite video contains chrominance (hue and saturation) and luminance (brightness) information, along with synchronization and blanking pulses, all together in a single signal.
1/8 in. Stereo Mini: A mini stero plug similar to 1/4 in. Most common in portable audio devices and computer sound cards.
Back to top
Close window
Modem Type
A modem is used to connect to the internet through a phone line and also to send or receive faxed documents.
Analog Modems
Analog is the process of taking an audio or video signal and translating it into electronic pulses. Analog modems send data over the telephone network as a series of tones.
Digital Modems
Digital technology breaks the signal into binary code (a series of 1’s and 0’s), transfers through, and reassembles them into the original signal. Digital technology allows you to have more information than analog does in the same amount of space.
Back to top
Close window
