A

ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface): Toshiba, Intel and Microsoft jointly developed ACPI and Toshiba has incorporated it into its laptops. It is a dedicated system supported by Windows 98 and future versions of Windows NT to interface directly with the operating system and control all aspects of power management for the PC and peripheral devices. The user has easier, more flexible power management and better overall performance.

Active Matrix Display: Laptop display screen using TFT (Thin Film Transistors) transistors to individually activate each LCD pixel. By controlling the light passage through each pixel, this display type offers a permanent, well-contrasted and fast display, compared to other LCD displays. In fact the image is even better than with CRTs (desktop monitors), because the image is permanent instead of being refreshed continuously. TFT displays are brighter than passive matrix (dual scan) displays and don’t show “ghosting” or “trails” off of a moving cursor. A type of flat-panel display in which the screen is refreshed (redrawn) more frequently than in conventional passive-matrix displays.

The most common type of active-matrix display is based on a technology known as TFT. The two terms, active matrix and TFT, are often used interchangeably. When viewed from an angle, active matrix screens produce a higher quality image than dual scan screens do. In addition, an active matrix screen is able to display moving video much better than a dual scan LCD. Active Matrix screens are available in nearly all sizes.

AGP(Advanced Graphics Port): A port dedicated to video data that runs twice as fast as the PCI bus. Allows large 3D graphics and DVD-ROM files to run more smoothly and quickly by taking the load off of the main processor. Allows enhanced video and 3D graphics performance. An expansion slot linked directly to the motherboard’s system bus enabling high performance graphics. A GP graphics cards can access system memory directly as well as using its own video memory. 2x AGP has a peak transfer rate of 512 Mbps (megabytes per second) while the latest 4x AGP runs at 1.1 Gbps (gigabytes per second).

Application: A computer program dedicated to a particular job, such as a word processor, spreadsheet or database program.

B

Backlight: A handheld PC may have a backlight for its display, like a mobile phone, so that you can read it in the dark.

Baud: This is the number of signalling elements that occur each second. The term is named after J.M.E. Baudot, the inventor of the Baudot telegraph code. At slow speeds, only one bit of information (signalling element) is encoded in each electrical change. The baud, therefore, indicates the number of bits per second that are transmitted. For example, 300 baud means that 300 bits are transmitted each second (abbreviated 300 bps). Assuming asynchronous communication, which requires 10 bits per character, this translates to 30 characters per second (cps).

For slow rates (below 1,200 baud), you can divide the baud by 10 to see how many characters per second are sent. At higher speeds, it is possible to encode more than one bit in each electrical change. 4,800 baud may allow 9,600 bits to be sent each second. At high data transfer speeds, therefore, data transmission rates are usually expressed in bits per second (bps) rather than baud. For example, a 9,600 bps modem may operate at only 2,400 baud.

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, or floppy disk drive, which typically can be replaced with a spare battery. A three-bay notebook also has a floppy disk drive built in. Some manufacturers use the term spindles, referring to the shafts on which the disks spin, so a two-spindle notebook has two drives and two drive bays.

BIOS: Pronounced “bye-ose,” an acronym for basic input/output system. The BIOS is built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions. The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself.

Because RAM is faster than ROM, though, many computer manufacturers design systems so that the BIOS is copied from ROM to RAM each time the computer is booted. This is known as shadowing. Many modern PCs have a flash BIOS, which means that the BIOS has been recorded on a flash memory chip, which can be updated if necessary. The PC BIOS is fairly standardised, so all PCs are similar at this level (although there are different BIOS versions). Additional DOS functions are usually added through software modules. This means you can upgrade to a newer version of DOS without changing the BIOS. PC BIOSes that can handle Plug-and-Play (PnP) devices are known as PnP BIOSes, or PnP-aware BIOSes. These BIOSes are always implemented with flash memory rather than ROM.

BIT: Binary digit, which is the smallest unit of data a computer can handle. Each bit has a value of 0 or 1 which the computer interprets as on or off. 8 bits make up 1 byte. Abbreviated to b in data transfer rates – e.g. 10 Kbps (10,000 bits per second).

Bluetooth: A technology for wirelessly transferring data short distances (up to 30 feet generally) among notebooks, cell phones, Palm or Windows CE handhelds, and printers. It is built into many products. It is not a competitor to wireless Ethernet. A Bluetooth-enabled PC Card can be added to a notebook.

BUS: The bus is a set of conductors that connect all of the functional units in a computer, as well as external memory, peripherals, or networks. Higher System Bus Speed enhances a computer’s performance and speed.

Byte: A bit is like an on/off switch, and is the smallest unit of information that can be stored by a computer. A byte is made of eight bits and can represent a single letter. A kilobyte is 1024 bytes: a few paragraphs. A short book would be around one megabyte (1024 kilobytes).

C

Cache: A temporary storage area used to speed up different processes. A web browser keeps recently used web pages on hard disk cache, so it doesn’t have to download the same page again. A processor stores recent or frequently used instructions in small chunks of very fast memory called level 1 and 2 caches.

CD/DVD-ROM: Most computer applications come on CD-ROM disks. The newer DVD drives are equipped to read these older disks as well as the new multimedia format. CD and DVD drives that can write information to a CD or DVD are designated CD-RW and DVD-RW (RW=Read/Write).

CD-ROM: Compact Disc-Read Only Memory, a CD stamped with data that cannot be erased and filled with new data.

CD-RW drive: A CD-ROM drive that stores multimedia data on recordable (CD-R) and rewritable (CD-RW) discs. You can use the discs for creating backups on the road or for your favourite music mixes.

Chipset: A collection of integrated circuits on a circuit board that are designed to be used together for a specific purpose. A chipset is usually made up of 1 – 3 main chips.

CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. A process used to make chips, but in a PC is short for a battery-powered chip on the motherboard which stores basic system configurations and clock settings.

CompactFlash card: A storage device for digital devices: CompactFlash (CF) cards. Each measures 43 x 36 x 3.5mm. In addition to solid state memory, companies are manufacturing CF sized hard drives, Ethernet connections and modems, as well as wireless connectivity solutions.

Contrast: A measure of the brightness difference between pixels that are on and those that are off. Contrast is usually expressed as a ratio such as 20:1 or 100:1. The higher the contrast, the more distinct the images appear.

CPU: Central Processing Unit, also called microprocessor or processor. This silicon chip acts as the brain of the computer and carries out tasks allocated and assigns tasks to other resources.

D

DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module): A memory board that is, in effect, a double SIMM. It uses a 168-pin connector and its 64-bit wide bus allows single modules to be installed in Pentium systems.

Display resolution: A measure of how detailed an image can look, referred to in pixels or dots.

DMI (Desktop Management Interface): A common framework for managing personal computers and network servers that is independent of operating system protocols. DMI ensures easier asset management, lowers TCO and simplifies software installation.

Docking station: A cradle for your notebook that provides space for extra drives and attachment points for all your cables. Docking stations are popular in business but are losing favour to port replicators among individuals.

DVMT (Dynamic Video Memory Technology): DVMT delivers two key features to this video architecture: Direct AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and intelligent arbitration. Direct AGP dynamically and directly allocates and de-allocates system memory for 3D texturing, resulting in more life-like 3D video quality. Intelligent arbitration balances video and data streams between all system components (CPU, graphics subsystem, I/O and system memory), improving overall platform performance through efficient memory utilisation. Adding a Graphics Performance Accelerator (GPA) can enhance the performance of this technology.

DX8.1: Technology that utilises the pixel and vertex shaders available in DirectX 8.1 which allows users to experience realistic and vivid images.

E

EDO (Extended Data Output): A type of memory used in laptops.

Ethernet: A very common method of networking computers in a LAN. Ethernet will handle about 10,000,000 bits-per-second and can be used with almost any kind of computer.

Extended Desktop: Allows two displays to have independent resolution, colour depth and refresh rates (i.e. notebook panel native resolution of 1024 x 768 running a flat panel monitor with a resolution of 1600 x 1200).

F

FAT (File Allocation Table): A table held on floppy or hard disk that tells the operating system the location of data and what order it is stored in. Using 16 bit addresses it can only support disk sizes of up to 2 GB while FAT32 uses 32 bit addresses and supports hard disk sizes of up to 2 TB (2 Terabytes).

Feature phone: A mobile phone that has added features beyond those of voice and SMS messaging, such as WAP-enabled phones, or those with PDA attributes.

File: Your letters and spreadsheets are stored as files in the computer’s memory or hard disk.

FireWire(Macintosh), iLink(Sony): A highspeed serial bus developed by Apple and Texas instruments that allows for the connection of up to 63 devices. Also known as IEEE 1394 standard. IEEE 1394b provides speeds of 800, 1600 and 3200 Mbits/sec.

Floppy Drive: The most common removable storage solution, it’s also ideal for copying small amounts of data or files. Storage is 1.44 MB. Larger capacity floppies are available but they will not work in a standard floppy disk drive.

Fuse Protection of the Notebook: A current and temperature fuse provided inside the battery pack to insure that your battery does not damage your notebook in case other devices fail during periods of severe overcharge or short circuit.

G

GB: Gigabyte, a unit of data measurement equal to 1 billion bytes or 1 thousand Megabytes (MB).

GPA: The Graphics Performance Accelerator (GPA) card provides a dedicated display cache to the integrated graphics engine. The GPA card is a 32-bit 133 MHz 4 MB SDRAM array for enhanced integrated 3D and 3D graphics performance that is placed in the AGP slot.

GPRS: General Packet Radio Services. A faster system of communications than GSM which allows phones and computers to maintain an always-on connection for receiving emails or other internet information.

3-D Graphics: 3-dimensional images can bog down the main processor, so a video card with 4 or 8 MB of SGRAM (like the ATI Rage Pro) speeds these images up dramatically. These cards will allow you to experience 3-D games and view MPEG-2 encoded DVD-ROM movies at full speed.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communications): Global System for Mobile Communications. The mobile phone platform used in Europe and much of the rest of the world, it is not mainstream in the USA. Dual band phones are capable of operating on other bandwidths abroad.

H

Hard drive: The main device for storage of data containing non-removable discs.

HSCSD: High Speed Circuit Switched Data. This is a faster version of GSM. It allows for real-time video and audio streaming as well as faster data transfer to and from the web for wireless computing devices and mobile telephones.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language): The standard language for describing the contents and appearance of pages on the World Wide Web.

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.

IEEE 802.11: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a group who have developed an evolving group of specifications for WLANs. They introduced the 802.11 standard in 1997, to be used for wireless Ethernet networks. There are a number of specifications, with new ones occasionally introduced.

Infrared: A series of wavelengths in the electromagnetic 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 a 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 from the processor – each line has 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 of 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.

L

LAN: Local Area Network

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): A kind of technology used in laptop screens that has a unique fluid containing rod-shaped crystals that influence light that is shined through them.

LCD Type: Liquid Crystal Display, a lightweight, energy-efficient display type used in laptop and flat computer monitors. TFT/Active Matrix LCDs have one transistor per pixel to retain image quality between scans.

Level 2 Cache: A collection of built-in memory chips, slower than the Level 1 Cache but faster than the main memory area. A larger Level 2 Cache can help speed the operation of some applications.

Li-Ion (Lithium Ion): The current technology used in laptop batteries.

LiON: Lithium Ion (LiON) is the latest development in portable battery technology. These batteries do not suffer from the memory effect. Compared to a NiMH of equal size, a LiON will deliver twice the run time from each charge. Unfortunately, these batteries are only available for a limited number of models and are more expensive than NiMH. Similar to NiMH technology, LiON batteries have a life expectancy of 400 charge and discharge cycles.

Lithium Polymer: A rechargeable battery technology introduced in 1998 that is similar to Lithium-lon in power rating. The difference is that Lithium Polymer uses a gelatinous electrolyte rather than a liquid, and can thus be manufactured into many different shapes.

M

MB (Megabyte):A unit used to measure the storage capacity of a hard drive, diskette or RAM. One megabyte is equal to just over 1 million bytes.

Memory (RAM): RAM are the chips where the computers store system software, programs, and data you are currently using. Other kinds of computer memory you may encounter are parameter RAM (PRAM), video RAM (VRAM), and static RAM (SRAM).

Modem (MODulator / DEModulator): A device that allows a computer to communicate over telephone lines. A modem converts the digital information on the computer into analogue tones that can be transmitted over telephone lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analogue waves. A modem converts between these two forms.

Motherboard: The main circuit board of the computer. Other components are directly attached to it.

Multiple Cells: A battery pack consists of multiple high-capacity battery cells inside. These high-quality NiCad, NiMH, and LiON cells are used to guarantee maximum capacity and service life.

N

Network Card: Network Cards are adapter cards in computers that enable the computers to connect to a network.

NiCad: Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) is the most popular and durable type of rechargeable battery. They are quick to charge, last approximately 700 charge and discharge cycles, and work well in extreme temperature conditions. Unfortunately, NiCad batteries suffer from “memory effect” if they are not completely discharged each cycle. The memory effect reduces the overall capacity and run time of the battery.

NiCam (Nickel Cadmium): A type of laptop battery technology.

NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride): A type of laptop battery technology.

NiMH: Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries do not suffer from the memory effect like the NiCad counterpart does. Compared to a NiCad battery of equal size, NiMH batteries run for 30% longer on each charge cycle. They are also made from non-toxic metals so they are environmentally friendly. The downside of NiMH technology is the overall battery life. These batteries generally last for 400 charge and discharge cycles.

O

Operating System: The main software that is in use on a computer system. The operating system is responsible for booting up the computer and making all its resources available to the user and other software packages in a user-friendly environment.

P

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 Parallel 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 sized 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 cellular 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 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 millimetres (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 devices 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 getting used to.

Pointing device: A built-in substitute for the mouse, it is 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 thermistor 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 (e.g., 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.

R

RAM (Random Access Memory): The temporary memory storage area used to load program instructions and store files currently in use. Unless a file is permanently stored on a hard drive or other storage medium, changes to information in RAM will be lost when the computer is shut down.

RAMDAC: Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analogue Converter. A chip that stores the colour palette and converts digital information into analogue signals to a colour monitor. It has three analogue-to-digital converters and a static RAM for storing the colour palette. Each colour is composed of three values representing red, green, and blue, which together make up the chosen colour.

ROM (Read Only Memory): A type of memory that contains data that can be read but not changed. Unlike RAM which is cleared of data when the computer is shut down, ROM is not dependent on electricity and can therefore retain the contents of its memory whether the PC is on or off. ROM usually contains data that tells the CPU how to run the computer and this is built in during the manufacturing process.

Rotational Speed: Rotational speed is a major factor in hard drive selection as it determines how quickly data can be retrieved. Typical rotational speeds are 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM. The higher the RPM (revolutions per minute), the less time you’ll spend waiting for your computer to access files.

S

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface): Used to connect computers to other devices such as hard drives and scanners. Laptops do not have a SCSI interface but it is possible to get a PCMCIA to SCSI adapter.

SDRAM: Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory, high-speed memory measured in megabytes (MB). SDRAM enables a system to run applications and temporarily store documents that are being worked on.

Seek time: The time it takes a drive to read and write retrieved data, measured in milliseconds (ms). Larger drives typically have a faster seek time.

Self-Resetting Breakers: Self-resetting thermal breakers prevent severe overcharge in case your computer doesn’t sense that your battery is fully charged. This device also protects the battery from damage in the event of a short circuit.

Serial Port: A port that transmits data one bit at a time. Used for peripheral devices such as mice and modems.

Serial: A male 9-pin or 25-pin connector situated at the back of computers that enables the connection of peripheral devices and other computers via a serial cable.

SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module): A circuit board onto which RAM memory chips are soldered.

Simulscan: Displays the identical information on two screens, such as the notebook panel and projector.

Smart Batteries: Most new notebooks use “smart” batteries with internal microprocessors. These special circuits communicate valuable charge/discharge information with your notebook. This helps run useful features like the battery fuel gauge while providing extra safety.

Smartphone: A combination of a phone and a handheld computer allowing users to store lots of information, work with emails and even install their own programs.

SMS (Short Message Service): An integrated paging service which allows GSM users to send and receive text messages on their phones.

SpeedStep: Intel technology that slows the processor when the notebook is running on battery power. It reduces performance but increases battery life by about 20 to 30 per cent. AMD has a similar technology called PowerNow.

SSD: Solid state hard drive. SSD hard disk drives use solid-state memory to store data rather than containing spinning disks. Therefore, they’re immediately faster than normal disk drives.

Storage Capacity: Hard drive storage capacity is measured in Gigabytes. One Gigabyte (GB) equals one thousand Megabytes (MB). When calculating hard drive needs, consider the size and number of applications, whether you use your computer to edit videos or to store large audio files. The larger the hard drive capacity, the more you’ll be able to store on your hard drive.

T

TFT: Thin Film Transistor. TFT or ‘active’ displays have become the standard display technology for LCD screens and offer a wider viewing angle, brighter images and faster redraw times than older passive matrix displays.

Travel weight: The total weight of a notebook package for computing on the road, including the notebook, transformer, and external drive (each about two-thirds of a pound), a full-size battery (if the built-in battery is underpowered), and possibly an adapter module for connecting accessories to a small notebook. Unless you see the words travel weight, assume the weight you’re quoted is “system weight,” and add 1 or 2 pounds to get the actual travel weight. Add another 2 to 3 pounds for an expansion slice.

U

UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. The European implementation of the 3G wireless phone system. UMTS provides service in the 2GHz band and offer global roaming and personalised features.

USB: Universal Serial Bus, a new external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. USB also supports Plug-and-Play installation and hot plugging.

V

Video Memory: Video cards often have their own memory, called video memory, used for storing graphical representations. More memory allows more colours to be displayed at higher screen resolutions, there providing cleaner, brighter images that can take better advantage of large screen real estate and multimedia applications. The higher the screen and colour resolutions, the more data is transferred from the video chipset to the video memory and the faster the data has to be read in order to be sent to the monitor. While processing speed is important for relaying these instructions, the more video memory there is available, the more instructions can be held and communicated, resulting in better images overall.

Viewing Angle: A measurement of the range of angles at which minimum acceptable viewing parameters (5:1 contrast ratio, good brightness and front-of-screen performance) is maintained. Measured in horizontal viewing angle (left/right) and vertical viewing angle (up/down).

W

WAN: Wide Area Network

WAP: Wireless Application Protocol. A standard for providing internet access from WAP-enabled mobile phones. Users can access portals for news and services from the internet. Mobile phone firms are beginning to offer more services for their WAP phones.

Wi-Fi: The standard for wireless networking, allowing laptops and PDAs to connect to a company network over radio links. Wi-Fi is intended to allow users to become more mobile and to work more productively.

X

X: A measurement of CD drive speed; each multiple of x translates to 153,600 Bytes of data per second.

XGA (Extended Graphics Array): The most common screen resolution for notebooks and desktops: 1,024 pixels (dots per inch) horizontally by 768 vertically. Other resolutions are SXGA (Super Extended Graphics Array) (1,280-by-1,024), used more on desktops than notebooks), SXGA+ (1,400-by-1,050), and UXGA (Ultra Extended Graphics Array) (1,600-by-1,200). The higher resolutions make for crisp graphics and small text.

Y

York lock: A type of lock.

Z

Zip Drives: Zip drives are slightly larger than conventional floppy disks, and about twice as thick. They can hold 100 MB of data. They have become a popular media for backing up hard disks and for transporting large files.