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Parallel Port: A Parallel Port is used for connecting an external device such as a printer. Most personal computers have both a parallel port and at least one serial port. There are external Paralell Interface devices, such a CD-ROMS and Zip Drives, that you can use to expand the functionality of your laptop.  

Parallel: A port used for connecting external devices that need relatively high bandwidth, such as a printer or another computer.

PC Card slot: A space in a notebook where you can insert credit card-size accessories such as modems, network adapters, wireless network adapters, security cards and memory cards, as well as connection points for some external disk drives. As notebooks integrate more features (modems, networking, and wireless networking), they tend to reduce the number of PC Card slots from two to one.  

PC card: Abbreviation of PCMCIA, a credit card sized device that is housed in the side of the laptop in one or more of the PC slots. A PC card can connect the laptop to a network, phone line or other device such as a celluler phone.

PCI (Peripheral Components Interface): A standard design for motherboards and expansion slots that can transfer data 32 or 64 bits at one time.  

PCMCIA: Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) has developed a standard for small, credit card-sized devices, called PC Cards used to add memory to laptop computers, hand-held computers, and desktop computers. PCMCIA cards slide entirely into the laptop, making them truly a perfect mobile solution. There are no external power supplies, cords, or bulky cables that are associated with external devices.

PDA: Personal Digital Assistant  

Peripheral: Any accessory that plugs into your machine to give it extra function, such as a printer or a mouse.

Pixel Pitch: A measurement of distance between pixels on the screen, measured in millimeters (mm). A smaller pixel pitch means sharper images.  

Pixels: The tiny screen dots that make up the picture on a computer screen.

Pointer: Laptops tend to use one of three device to replace an external mouse. A Touch pad at the bottom of the keyboard, a Pointing stick (or Trackpoint), which is like a small knob in the middle of the keyboard, or a Trackball, which is like an upside down mouse. Most of these devices require some practice.  

Pointing device: A built-in substitute for the mouse-either a touch pad or a pointing stick that looks like a pencil eraser stuck below the G and H keys. Some notebooks have both types. Many users still prefer plugging in a traditional mouse.

Poly Switch: A "poly switch" provides self-resetting protection in case you accidentally short circuit your battery.  

Port replicator: A hardware device that attaches to a notebook and connects all the cables (modem, printer, power, and mouse) that you would otherwise attach one by one to your notebook's ports or connection points. It is simpler than a docking station and cheaper.

Port: The location where external devices can be attached to a computer. A port controls the flow of data between the computer and the peripheral device. Plug-like connectors at the back of the computer that allows it to communicate with peripheral devices such as mice, and printers. There are two types of ports - parallel and serial.  

Prevention of Overcharging: As the battery cells begin to heat during charge, a thermister in your battery pack changes resistance telling the computer to stop charging the battery further.

Processor: The computer heart of any machine. You should be able to identify the type of processor(eg, Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon) and the speed it is running at (from 10 to 2000 megahertz). Higher numbers normally indicate a faster processor, which is capable of performing more calculations in shorter time than a slower processor.  

PS/2 Port: Most laptops have one PS/2 Port that is used to hook up a full-sized mouse or keyboard to your laptop. If you want to hook up both a mouse and a keyboard, you will need a PS/2 keyboard and a serial-type mouse. The mouse will interface through the laptop's standard serial port.

PS/2: A port for a device, such as a keyboard or mouse, that is designed for simple installation and doesn't need a serial port connection.

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