I

I/O Port (Input / Output port): A connector at the back of the laptop where a cable from another device can be plugged in.  

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics): A standard for hard drive interfaces. IDE is different from SCSI and ESDI because its controllers are on each drive meaning the drive can connect directly to the motherboard.

Infrared: A series of wavelengths in the electromegnetic spectrum. Direct infrared beams are able to carry data between devices as long as an unbroken direct line of sight is available.  

Interface: The interface is the link between the hard drive and the computer used to transfer data. Most hard drives support either ATA-66 or Ultra ATA-100. Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) is an industry standard interface: An Ultra ATA-100 hard drive is a faster interface than an ATA-66 hard drive.

IrDA (Infrared Data Association): An organisation that sets standards for infrared data transactions.  

IRQ (Interrupt Request Lines): The wires that connect the processor to hardware devices. IRQs let the hardware components request their share of attention fron the processor - each line hsa its own address in the computer's memory.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): This is a type of phone line where information is transmitted digitally and which offers faster communications, quicker connections and greater reliability. Analogue over ISDN allows sending and receiving faxes or data from an ISDN line to machines connected to regular analogue phone lines.  

ISP (Internet Service Provider): Individual internet users gain access to the Internet through a service provider such as Internet Africa or MWeb.

J

Jack (3.5mm): Cable that connects speakers to the input jack on your laptop.  

K

Kensington slot: A universal connector for a physical security lock, named after the company that invented the feature. Regardless of the brand, virtually every notebook security lock you can buy fits the Kensington-style slot.