PC components & jargon
1. Operating System:
“Windows XP Home” is pretty standard;
“Windows Vista” was just released earlier this year
2. Memory:
“512 MB” is pretty standard;
If you can afford it, get 1 GB or more
3. DVD-ROM:
If you want to watch DVD videos on your PC
4. CD:
“CD-R”
Allows you to install software on PC;
Allows you to play music CDs;
Allows you to put your favorite songs on a CD;
Use for doing backups“CD-RW”
Allows you to write & ERASE data on the CD
5. Processor:
“Pentium”, “Celeron”, “Athlon”, “Sempron”;
All of these are fine for basic computer usage
(e.g. Email, word processing, & internet)
6. USB Ports:
For connecting printers & digital cameras to PC;
Can also connect additional disk storage to the PC;
Most PCs will come with “2-6 USB ports”;
If you need more, buy “4-port USB Hub” with Power Adapter
7. Hard Drive:
Typical size is “80-200 GB”;
All of these are fine for basic computer usage
(e.g. Email, word processing, & internet);
Get at least 60 GB capacity or more if you can
8. Color Monitor:
Low cost monitors are typically “15 or 17 inches”;
Flat screen monitors are nice, but expensive
9. Printer:
“Photo quality color printers” are inexpensive;
Ink cartridges are fairly expensive ($25-40);
For black & white printing consider low cost laser printer
10. Modem:
For connecting to the internet (over a phone line); Typically “56Kbps”; usually standard with PCs
11. Network Card (10/100 NIC):
For connecting to the internet with DSL or CABLE;
Usually standard with most PCs
12. Wireless network card
Used for connecting to wireless networks in coffee shops & homes;
Usually standard in new laptop PCs
13. Printer cable:
Typically needs to be purchased separately;
“USB Printer/Device Cable” costs about $30;
Typically comes in 6 or 10 foot lengths (depending on how close you can put your printer to the PC)
