Below is a typical specification for a computer with an explanation
of all of the key components.
Component |
Specification |
Explanation |
Processor |
AMD Athlon 64 x2 |
The two leaders in the processor market
are AMD and Intel. |
Processor speed |
2.2 GHz |
This is a measure of how quickly the CPU
can process requests. The higher the number the faster
it performs. |
Processor bus |
2000 MHz |
Also known as ‘Front Side Bus' (FSB), this
is the speed with which information from the processor
can travel to controller chips on the motherboard. The
higher this number is the better. |
Processor cache |
1 MB |
This is a temporary storage area used by
the processor to reduce the average time to access the
PCs memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory which
stores copies of the data from the most frequently used
main memory locations. Hence, the processor can access
this store rather than place more time consuming requests
out to the PCs main memory. |
Memory (RAM) |
2048 MB |
Random Access Memory is a temporary storage
area used to hold information that is necessary for most
software applications. Applications can access RAM very
quickly as opposed to placing more time consuming requests
to the PC's hard drive. The amount of RAM has a significant
impact on the performance of a computer so the higher this
number the better. |
Storage (hard drive) |
320 GB |
The hard drive is used to store data, applications
and the operating system that are necessary for the PC
to operate.The higher the number the more storage you have. |
Storage (hard drive) type |
SATA |
Serial-ATA drives are the latest standard
of hard drive. It has several advantages over its predecessor
(IDE) including the ability for longer cables and thinner
cables. |
Operating system |
Windows Vista Home Premium |
Windows Vista is the latest operating system
from Microsoft. It comes in several versions i.e. Home
Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate.
Home Premium will suit most home users needs. |
Shared graphics |
No |
Shared graphics means that the PC's processor
and memory is also responsible for rendering the graphics.
This adds a load to these components which will obviously
have an impact on other functions that the processor is
trying to perform, so dedicated (separate) graphics is
more desirable. See below. |
Dedicated graphics |
256 MB |
This is a separate component that is dedicated
to the rendering of the PC's graphics. It has its own processor
and memory, thus reducing the load on the PC's own components. |
Optical drive |
Yes |
Plays & records CDs and DVDs |
Lightscribe technology |
Yes |
LightScribe is a direct disc labeling technology
that burns text and graphics onto the surface of a CD or
DVD using the disc drive's laser and a specially coated
LightScribe disc |
S-Video output |
No |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
VGA output |
No |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
HDMI output |
No |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
Media card slots |
15-in-1 |
Memory cards from digital cameras and mobile
telephones can be plugged into these slots. |
USB 2.0 slots |
6 |
Slots available to plug external devices
into such as USB pen drives and printers. |
Firewire |
6 pin |
Port to allow devices with a firewire compatible
ports to be connected to e.g. video cameras. |
Below is a typical specification for a laptop with an explanation
of all of the key components.
Components |
Specification |
Explanation |
Screen size |
15.4 inches |
Screen sizes for laptops are usually measured
from corner to corner diagonally. Also look out for whether
the screen is widescreen. |
Processor |
Intel Core 2 Duo |
Is currently the standard brand of processor
from Intel. It is named in this way as it effectively has
two processors working within one chip. |
Processor speed |
2 GHz |
This is a measure of how quickly the CPU
can process requests. The higher the number the faster
it performs. |
Processor bus |
800 MHz |
Also known as ‘Front Side Bus' (FSB), this
is the speed with which information from the processor
can travel to controller chips on the motherboard. The
higher this number is the better. |
Processor cache |
2 MB |
This is a temporary storage area used by
the processor to reduce the average time to access the
laptop's memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory
which stores copies of the data from the most frequently
used main memory locations. Hence, the processor can access
this store rather than place more time consuming requests
out to the laptops memory. |
Memory (RAM) |
2048 MB |
Random Access Memory is a temporary storage
area used to hold information that is necessary for most
software applications. Applications can access RAM very
quickly as opposed to placing more time consuming requests
to the laptop's hardrive. The amount of RAM has a significant
impact on the performance of a computer so the higher this
number the better. |
Storage (hard drive) |
200 GB |
The hard drive is used to store data, applications
and the operating system that are necessary for the laptop
to operate.The higher the number the more storage you have. |
Storage (hard drive) Type |
SATA |
Serial-ATA drives are the latest standard
of hard drive. It has several advantages over its predecessor
(IDE) including the ability for longer cables and thinner
cables. |
Operating system |
Windows Vista Home Premium |
Windows Vista is the latest operating system
from Microsoft. It comes in several versions i.e. Home
Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate.
Home Premium will suit most home users needs. |
Shared graphics |
No |
Shared graphics means that the laptops
processor and memory is also responsible for rendering
the graphics. This adds a load to these components which
will obviously have an impact on other functions that the
processor is trying to perform, so dedicated (separate)
graphics is more desirable. See below. |
Dedicated graphics |
NVIDIA GF8400M 256 MB |
This is a separate component that is dedicated
to the rendering of the laptops graphics. It has its own
processor and memory, thus reducing the load on the laptops
own components. |
Optical drive |
CD/DVD-RW |
These a drives capable of playing CDs and
DVDs. In this example it will also allow you to write data
to blank DVDs and CDs. |
Lightscribe technology |
Yes |
LightScribe is a direct disc labeling technology
that burns text and graphics onto the surface of a CD or
DVD using the disc drive's laser and a specially coated
LightScribe disc
|
S-Video output |
Yes |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
VGA output |
Yes |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
HDMI output |
Yes |
With the right cable the laptop can be
connected to TV or Monitor. |
Built-in wireless networking |
Yes - 802.11b/g |
This indicates that the laptop can connect to a wireless
access point in the home or out in a public place that
offers wireless access. |
Wired networking |
Yes |
Allows for a network cable from a broadband
router to be plugged into the laptop for internet connectivity. |
USB 2.0 slots |
3 |
Slots available to plug external devices
into such as USB pen drives and printers. |
Firewire |
4 pin |
Port to allow devices with a firewire compatible
ports to be connected to e.g. video cameras. |
Media card slots |
2 |
Memory cards from digital cameras and mobile
telephones can be plugged into these slots on your laptop. |
Built-in bluetooth |
Yes |
Wireless technology used to transfer data
between devices such as your mobile telephone and your
laptop. |
Built-in webcam |
Yes |
Camera built into the case of the laptop
used for video conferencing. |
Speakers |
Yes |
Used for the playback of audio. |
Battery life |
Up to 2 hours |
Length of time the laptop will last without
mains power. |
Laptop weight (kg) |
2.8 kg |
This is important if you intend on travelling
with the laptop. It should be remembered that you will
also need to add the weight of a laptop carry case and
any power leads to get an idea of the overall ‘travel weight' |
Feature |
Specification |
Explanation |
Maps included |
Full UK & Full Western Europe |
Self explanatory |
Mapping display |
2D & 3D |
Allows you to switch between display modes |
Touch screen |
Yes |
Set your route and navigate menus by touching
the display |
Screen size in diagonal inches |
4.3 inches |
Self explanatory |
Searchable postcode digits |
Full |
Type in a postcode and the device will
automatically plan a route to that location. |
Spoken audio directions |
Yes |
Audio instructions given to guide you as
you drive |
Dynamic routing |
Yes |
The device will automatically re-route
you if a road is closed. |
Points of interest |
Yes |
Local points of interest can be shown on
the map, if required. |
Free speed camera locations |
Yes |
Issues an audio and visual alert when you
are approaching a speed camera |
Free live traffic information |
Yes |
Self explanatory |
Bluetooth handsfree phone & touch
screen dialling |
Yes |
With a Bluetooth compatible phone you can
place calls via the Sat Nav touchscreen |
MP3 Capability |
No |
Some devices can double up as MP3 players |
Available internal memory |
Not featured |
Internal memory used for storing data. |
Plug & play |
Yes |
Plugs into your home pc and operates without
the need for manual configuration of system drivers. |
Car cradle included |
Yes |
Attaches to the screen and holds the device,
for easy viewing as you drive |
Car charger included |
Yes |
Lead that plugs into the cigarette lighter
of your car and provides power to the device |
Mains charger included |
No |
|
Battery life |
5 hours |
When fully charged, length of time the
device will run without being plugged into the cigarette
lighter of your car. |
Weight |
220 g |
Weight of device without carry case |
