Computer Hardware and Mobile Devices Glossary

Posted on Nov 9, 2023 in Computers

microATX (MATX)

A smaller version of the ATX form factor. MicroATX addresses some new technologies that were developed after the original introduction of ATX.

serial ATA (SATA)

An ATAPI interface standard for hard drives, optical drives, and other drives that uses a narrower and more reliable cable than the 80-conductor cable and is easier to configure than PATA systems. Also see parallel ATA.

Laptop

A portable computer that is designed for travel and mobility. Laptops use the same technology as desktop computers, with modifications for conserving voltage, taking up less space, and operating while on the move. Also called a notebook.

Notebook

See laptop.

Netbook

A low-end, inexpensive laptop with a small 9 or 10 inch screen and no optical drive that is generally used for web browsing, email, and word processing by users on the go.

all-in-one computer

A computer that has the monitor and computer case built together and uses components that are common to both a laptop and a desktop computer.

USB to RJ-45 dongle

An adapter that plugs into a USB port and provides an RJ-45 port for a network cable to connect to a wired network.

USB to Wi-Fi dongle

An adapter that plugs into a USB port and provides wireless connectivity to a Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

The common name for standards for a local wireless network as defined by IEEE 802.11. Also see 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

cellular network

A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. The network is made up of cells, each controlled by a base station. Also called a cellular WAN.

base station

A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network.

USB to Bluetooth adapter

A device that plugs into a USB port on a computer to connect to Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth

A short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal network.

USB optical drive

An external optical drive that connects to a computer via a USB port.

keyboard backlight

A feature on some keyboards where the keys light up on the keyboard.

touch pad

A common pointing device on a laptop computer.

screen orientation

The layout or orientation of the screen that is either portrait or landscape.

airplane mode

A setting within a mobile device that disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas so the device cannot transmit signals.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A receiver that uses the system of 24 or more satellites orbiting the earth. The receiver locates four or more of these satellites, and from these four locations, calculates its own position in a process called triangulation.

ExpressCard

A PCMCIA standard for laptop I/O cards that uses the PCI Express and USB 2.0 data transfer standards. Two types of ExpressCards are ExpressCard/34 (34mm wide) and ExpressCard/54 (54mm wide). ExpressCards have been replaced by USB ports on today’s laptops.

PCMCIA cards

An card used with older laptops that was one or more variations of a PC Card to add memory to a laptop or provide ports for peripheral devices. For example, modem cards, network cards for wired or wireless network, sound cards, SCSI host adapters, FireWire controllers, USB controllers, flash memory adapter, TV tuner.

ExpressCard/34

A type of ExpressCard that is 34 mm wide. An ExpressCard/34 can fit into an ExpressCard/54 slot.

ExpressCard/54

A type of ExpressCard that is 54 mm wide.

docking port

A connector on a laptop to connect to a port replicator or docking station.

docking station

A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage and easy connection to peripheral devices.

SO-DIMMs (small outline DIMMs)

A type of memory module used in laptop computers that uses DIMM technology. A DDR3 SO-DIMM has 204 pins. A DDR2 or DDR SODIMM has 200 pins. Older, outdated SO-DIMMs can have 72 pins or 144 pins.

smart phone

A cell phone that includes abilities to send text messages, text messages with photos, videos, or other multimedia content, surf the web, manage email, play games, take photos and videos, and download and use apps.

Tablet

A computing device with a touch screen that is larger than a smart phone and has functions similar to a smart phone.

Phablet

A mobile device that has the same capabilities of a smart phone or tablet and is smaller than a tablet and larger than a smart phone.

E-reader

A mobile device that holds digital versions of books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed documents, which are usually downloaded to the device from the web.

smart camera

A digital camera that has embedded computing power to make decisions about the content of the photos or videos it records, including transmitting alerts over a wired or wireless network when it records certain content. Also called a vision sensor.

vision sensors

See smart camera.

Wearable technology devices

A device, such as a smart watch, wristband, arm band, eyeglasses, headset, or clothing, that can perform computing tasks, including making phone calls, sending text messages, recording and transmitting data, and checking email.

fitness monitors

A wearable computer device that can measure heart rate, count pool laps or miles jogged or biked, and a host of other activities.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card

A small flash memory card that contains all the information a device needs to connect to a GSM or LTE cellular network, including a password and other authentication information needed to access the network, encryption standards used, and the services that a subscription includes.

Infrared (IR)

An outdated wireless technology that has been mostly replaced by Bluetooth to connect personal computing devices.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

A wireless technology that establishes a communication link between two NFC devices (for example, two smart phones or a smart phone and an NFC tag) that are within 4 inches of each other.

microUSB

A smaller version of the regular USB connector.

miniUSB

A smaller version of the regular USB connector and is smaller than microUSB.

Lightning port

The connector used on newer Apple iPhones, iPods, and iPads for power and communication.

Hotspot

A small area that offers connectivity to a wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network.

Gyroscope

A device that contains a disc that is free to move and can respond to gravity as the device is moved.

Accelerometer

A type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device.

Geotracking

A mobile device routinely reports its position to Apple, Google, or Microsoft at least twice a day, which makes it possible for these companies to track your device’s whereabouts.

field-replaceable units (FRU)

A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples: power supply, DIMM, motherboard, hard disk drive.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye.

POST diagnostic card

See POST card.

POST card

A test card installed in a slot on the motherboard or plugged in to a USB port that is used to help discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur when a computer is first turned on and before the operating system is launched. Also called POST diagnostic card.

Firmware

Software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard is an example of firmware.

BIOS (basic input/output system)

Firmware that can control much of a computer’s input/output functions, such as communication with the keyboard and the monitor. Compare with UEFI.

BIOS setup

The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM. Also called CMOS setup.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) or BIOS (basic input/output system) firmware on the motherboard that is used to control essential devices before the OS is loaded.

POST (power-on self test)

A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices. The POST is performed by startup UEFI/BIOS when the computer is first turned on.

power supply tester

A device that can test the output of each power cord coming from a power supply.

Multimeter

A device used to measure the various attributes of an electrical circuit. The most common measurements are voltage, current, and resistance.

loopback plug

A device used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working and might also test the throughput or speed of the port.

audio port

A port that can be used by a microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out. Also called a sound port.

DE15 port

See VGA (Video Graphics Array) port.

field replaceable unit (FRU)

fitness monitor