Understanding the jargon around laptops!?

Question

I am planning to buy a laptop but have never bought a computer before and all the jargon just confuses me, eg on PCWorld they mention the following: dual core processor, 667mHz FSB, 2mb cache,1024mb RAM and 80gB hard drive. I need some guidance as to what these mean, what are the most important and what sort of values these attributes should have. I am a make up artist so need it for general internet etc but also for looking at photos and need to see them accurately and clearly. Thanks!

Answer 1

667 mhz fsb , means the cpu talks to the rest of the system 667 million times a sec ( mega= million hertz=second)
2 mb cache means how much memory the cpu itself has,this memory is much faster than your system memory so even if it has a little bit, it still goes a long way to speeding up the computer)
1024 mb ram thyis is how much system memory your computer has,for running applications/games,etc. more is generally better, but with a gigabyte (1024) of memory you should be fine for a long time
80 gb is storage capacity. the hard drive is where the computer stores files for long term use.whatever is saved to it will still be there after the computer is shut down,unlike ram and cache which will clear when the power is off. again more is generally better,but with the ability to save to a blank cd,its not really so much a problem,particularly if you plan to save stuff long term,and cant afford to have everything get wiped out if the hard drive fails, certain projects i would think would be best if saved to a cd-rw as a back up to the hard drive

since you plan on using it for pictures,you may want to look for one with a relatively high end graphics card on it. generally a video card used in gaming will more than suffice since these cards were designed to handle graphics and changing those graphice repeatedly and quickly. plus you can really crank up the resolution for picture work without bogging down the card

Answer 2

Okay, let's work backwards. The hard drive capacity is in gigabytes, that is the size of the drive if you like, therefore limiting what can be put on it. 80gb is a pretty decent sized drive all round - should hold plenty of what you require. For years I've been using a 30gb drive and never reached capacity on that (okay I've got a bigger one now)

RAM is random access memory, what the computer uses to hold what you're working on at the time. There are a lot of machines with only 256mb RAM working very well. I've got 1024mb.

The cache is faster memory which stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations - 2mb is excellent.

The processor is the main "brain" of the machine and it's speed really regulates everything else. A dual core processor is reckoned to be able to cope with more tasks at once and is therefore faster.

I don't know if this helps at all, but it might give you some idea. For what it's worth, what you're describing is a pretty decent specification.

Answer 3

The 2mb cache is how much space there is for the memory area where frequently accessed data can be stored for rapid access.

667mHz FSB is how fast the computer sends information.

1024mb RAM is how much space there is on the computer to store files etc

The hard drive stores all the computer's information and retains the information when the computer is turned off. A fast hard drive is needed to supply the CPU with data as fast as it needs it. This is the 80Gb

This laptop would be suitable for what you want to do!!

Hope this helps

Answer 4

I have been using a laptop for over 12 years. The first thing to decide in a laptop is
Weight
Battery LIfe- If you are going to be using it for long duration without Power.
As you want to use it for photos & multi media content, go for a laptop with high Ram, a good graphics card.
Look for storage of 80 GB cause you will be storing a lot of photos .etc.
As regards the other aspects, relax go for a laptop from Toshiba, Sony, IBM, HP, Acer .etc
These days all laptops have a similar configuration so look for a DVD ROM writer.
Look for WiFi Connectivity, Blue tooth and Infra Red as standard.
Look for min 4 USB ports, printer port, Card BUS and Firewire ports apart from the standard ethernet lan port.
All laptops have more or less similar cache so dont lose sleep over it.
Since you are a first time user asl for Intel Processor based Laptops with MS Win XP or Vista as the OS.
Alternatively you could look at some of the Macbooks by Apple.

Answer 5

Try this.. you want a laptop that has these things in it
1.built in wireless 2. 80gig hard drive 3. Software for what you want to do. 4. DVD burner. 5 a battery that last a long time and last but not least a processor that can run all your programs that won't slow you down. The dual core is the new thing out but most will do what you need.... Enjoy and Happy new year..

Answer 6

dual core 667Mhz = the CPU=the brain your computer,newer and higher is better
1024 Mb ram = your working table,bigger is better
80Gb harddrive = your cabinet to save your file,bigger is better

all of them is very impotent

Answer 7

pc terms are usually vauge simple rules to follow are.
1. how fast can i access porno sites.
2. if the laptop wont hang if I download various applications.
3. access lesbo chat rooms with ease

If you answer yes to the above questions--- you got one hell of a good machine