Why does computer hardware always have incomprehensible numbers and letters in it's name?

Question

Even when you can work out what they mean on one thing, there doesn't seem to be any consistancy on other ones.
Huh?

Answer 1

Because if they just said, "Right Good Graphics Card" then none of the tech hungry will go near it.

It has to be a "GXUltraTurbo9000" (Windows XP Certified with a whole range of beta drivers and limited Linux support) or none of the overclockers will touch it.

Answer 2

How would you name them then?

First, if there is a seeming inconsistency in the name then that means something is really different.

Second, as with complex parts for any piece of equipment the number and letters and such mean things. The vehicle identification number on your car has meaning beyond it was the five million and twelth one of that make made. They can tell when it was made and where it was made. They can even follow the number components down a trail and tell you everyone who worked on assembling it.

When we name humans we have things like Erick. Erick has a boy named Lief. We know of Lief as Lief Erickson. But then there is this other person, Fred. Fred is not related to either Lief or Erick, so we don't tie his name to anything other than a presumption that Fred is a male human just as Lief and Erick are. Your computer parts likewise have names. Some are related, some are not. Listen to what the techies call the pieces, they will give the short and convenient name and context carries part of the description. If I am talking about the cool 300 I saw drive down the road, then if I am talking about a Chrysler or a Mercedes or Lexus, these things set the context.

Answer 3

Their use of model numbers and termenology goes hand in hand. Such as picking up the latest Video Graphics Card, three different models, but before that a generation number, Geforce 7xxx, v.s. 6xxx the 7 means the 7th generation of Video Card, so you know within this range would be latest, the 6xxx is last year's models. A little more difficult then the auto-industry of the 1996 Lexus. Hard drives are easier, the more the better, 200GB vs your 250GB.

Processors, well now with dual-core and two different manufactures, it used to be easy to just say go with the latest intel, now it's go with the latest intel or Amd. Intel will say one speed, AMD will say another. So there's a little confusion there.

It's all really done though to confuse the consumers everywhere, and it's done intentional. Of course they can spell it out in plain English, but the manufacturers are appealing to the Computer Techies of the World, they don't want clarity, they enjoy the confusion.

Answer 4

The numbers and letters are so incomprehensible because the computer checks for the hardware in the form of 1's and 0's and for you and me to remember these strings of 1's and 0's would be mind boggling at it's best. it is easier to find out information about your hardware if you have a way to recognize what you looking for.for you to try to remember or type in a string of 1's and 0's like 1101001 11000110 1110110111 would be ? well I think that you might have the idea.

Answer 5

What exactly is so difficult about it? I could probably tell you 90% of the video cards out on the market right now and their exact specifications. Research your purchase before buying, look at benchmarks, ask for advice at good hardware forums such as Anandtech. I'm not saying model names aren't confusing, because to your average consumer an "X1300 Pro" should be better than an "X800 Pro" right? But that's not true, obviously.

Answer 6

They're incomprehensible only for us mere mortals. Surely those in-the-know would comprehend the code behind it, thus making it easier for them to see the type/version/specs/whatever that's coded in it, rather than calling the hardware something unmeaningful that carries no information whatsoever.
Then there's also the problem that they've got so many variants and versions, after some time it would be an unfunny chore to remember which was named David, etc.

Answer 7

They have a meaning and are put to differentiate brands, types, models, years, etc...., they are important to put the equipment in its right place at once and are made for professionals. Some things like Celeron Windows, and many others do not have these characteristic words, but are made to differentiate for the public. Obviously the first are more explanatory but only for pros.

Answer 8

Dude, the fact that there are so many people imitating others, and there are so many products imitating others make people think of weird names.

Anyone can 'borrow' a name. The numbers there are for recognition.

Like GeForce 6200 is a budget buddy, but its bigger brother the GeForce 7800 is a hardcore video card.

Answer 9

It's sort of like what the car manufacturers do. There's a year, a model and a trimline. You know, a 2002 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4motion. LOL! The companies just try and distinguish their products from each other and the competition. Intel does it and it actually makes some kind of sense I suppose:

Intel® Core™2 Duo processor (newer than one below)
Intel® Core™ Duo processor (better than the solo)
Intel® Core™ Solo processor
Intel® Pentium® M processor (M is for Mobile)
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 processor (4 is better than 3)
Intel® Celeron® M processor (the "budget" line)
Intel® Itanium® 2 processor (super processor for servers)
Intel® Xeon® processor (not as good as Itanium, but better than a Pentium)

Answer 10

The names are quite understandable if you take the time to learn about them. Nothing is comprehensible until then, computer related or not.