Hardware & Devices terms
70 Hardware & Devices terms explained in plain English.
- Accelerometer / Gyroscope SensorAn accelerometer is a sensor that measures linear acceleration -- changes in velocity in a straight line, including the constant pull of gravity.
- ARM vs x86ARM and x86 are the two dominant processor architectures -- the fundamental instruction sets that define how a processor executes software. x86 (from Intel and AMD) has dominated desktop computers and servers for decades, built around complex instructions optimized for raw compute performance.
- Battery (laptops and phones)A battery is the built-in power source in your laptop, phone, or tablet that lets you use the device without being plugged into a wall outlet.
- BIOS and UEFIBIOS (basic input/output system) and its modern replacement, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), are small programs stored on a chip on the motherboard.
- Bluetooth pairingBluetooth pairing is the process of linking two Bluetooth devices, such as a phone and earbuds, a laptop and a mouse, or a car and a phone, so they recognize and trust each other.
- Capacitive vs Resistive TouchCapacitive and resistive touchscreens both detect touch input but through different physical principles with different practical characteristics.
- Charging Port (USB-C, Lightning, etc.)A charging port is the small socket on your phone, tablet, or laptop where you plug in a cable to recharge the battery or connect accessories.
- ChromebookA Chromebook is a laptop that runs ChromeOS, Google's operating system built around the Chrome web browser.
- Clock speed (GHz)Clock speed is the rate at which a processor's internal clock ticks, measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billions of cycles per second.
- Copilot+ PCA Copilot+ PC is a Windows 11 computer that meets Microsoft's minimum requirements for on-device AI, including a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 trillion operations per second, 16 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage.
- CPU (central processing unit)The CPU, or central processing unit, is the chip that carries out the instructions of every program on a computer, phone, or tablet.
- CPU cores and threadsA CPU core is an independent processing unit inside a chip, able to work on its own task.
- Desktop vs Laptop vs TabletA desktop is a full-size computer designed to stay in one place on a desk.
- Docking stationA docking station is a device that connects a laptop to monitors, a keyboard, mouse, wired network, speakers, and power through a single cable, usually USB-C or Thunderbolt.
- E-inkE-ink (electronic ink, or electrophoretic display) is a display technology that works by reflecting ambient light rather than emitting it, similar to printed paper.
- E-ReaderAn e-reader is a portable device designed specifically for reading digital books, magazines, and documents.
- ESD (Static Discharge)ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) is the sudden flow of electrical charge between two objects at different electrical potentials -- the common phenomenon of getting a shock from touching a door handle after walking across carpet.
- Ethernet PortAn Ethernet port is the rectangular socket on a computer, router, or other device where you plug in a network cable to get a wired internet connection.
- Fast Charging (Wattage)Fast charging reduces phone and device charging time by delivering more electrical power (measured in watts) than standard charging.
- Firmware Update (Device)Firmware is software stored permanently in a device's non-volatile memory (flash storage) that controls the hardware's basic functions -- the lowest layer of software between hardware and operating system or user applications.
- Foldable phoneA foldable phone uses a flexible display that bends, either opening like a book into a small tablet (such as Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Google's Pixel Fold) or folding like a classic flip phone into a compact square (such as the Galaxy Z Flip and Motorola Razr).
- FPGAAn FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) is a semiconductor chip that can be configured and reconfigured in the field (after manufacturing) to implement custom digital circuits.
- Gaming ConsoleA gaming console is a device designed specifically for playing video games on a TV or monitor.
- Graphics Card (GPU)A graphics card, also called a GPU (graphics processing unit), is the component in your computer responsible for creating the images, video, and visual effects you see on your screen.
- Hard Drive (HDD)A hard drive, often called an HDD (hard disk drive), is a storage device inside your computer that holds all your files — documents, photos, music, applications, and the operating system itself.
- HDMI / DisplayPortHDMI and DisplayPort are the two most common types of cable connections used to send video (and audio) from a computer, gaming console, or streaming device to a monitor, TV, or projector.
- Headphones / HeadsetHeadphones are a pair of small speakers you wear on or in your ears to listen to audio privately.
- Integrated graphicsIntegrated graphics are a graphics processor built into the same chip as the CPU, sharing the system's memory, instead of being a separate graphics card.
- IP Rating (Dust/Water)An IP (Ingress Protection) rating is a standardized code defined by IEC standard 62368-1 (previously IEC 60529) that describes how well an enclosure protects against intrusion of solid particles (dust) and liquids (water).
- KeyboardA keyboard is the set of buttons you press to type letters, numbers, and commands into a computer or device.
- KVM switchA KVM switch (keyboard, video, mouse) is a device that lets one keyboard, monitor, and mouse control several computers, switching between them with a button or keyboard shortcut.
- LidarLidar (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that measures distance by emitting laser light pulses and measuring the time for reflected light to return.
- Lithium-Ion BatteryLithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries power virtually all modern portable electronics: smartphones, laptops, tablets, electric vehicles, power tools, and wearables.
- M.2 / NVMeM.2 is a small physical form factor for storage and other expansion cards (22mm wide, typically 2242, 2260, or 2280mm long -- the '80' in 2280 is the 80mm length).
- Mechanical keyboardA mechanical keyboard has an individual mechanical switch under every key, unlike typical keyboards that use a rubber dome or membrane.
- MicrophoneA microphone is a device that picks up sound — like your voice — and converts it into a signal your computer or phone can understand.
- Modular vs Soldered ComponentsModular components (RAM, storage, battery, CPU in some cases) can be physically removed from their slots and replaced or upgraded.
- Monitor / DisplayA monitor or display is the screen you look at when using a computer, tablet, or phone.
- Monitor resolutionMonitor resolution is the number of pixels, the tiny dots that make up an image, a screen can display, written as width by height, such as 1920 by 1080.
- Moore's LawMoore's Law is the empirical observation -- made by Gordon Moore (Intel co-founder) in 1965 -- that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years.
- MotherboardA motherboard is the main circuit board inside your computer that connects all the other components together so they can communicate and work as a system.
- Mouse / TrackpadA mouse is a small device you move around on a surface to control a pointer on your computer screen.
- Nanometer Process NodeA nanometer (nm) process node is a label for a generation of chip manufacturing technology.
- OLED vs LCD vs Mini-LEDOLED, LCD, and Mini-LED represent three approaches to display technology with distinct performance profiles.
- OverclockingOverclocking means pushing a CPU, GPU, or memory to run faster than the speed its manufacturer guarantees, usually by changing settings in the BIOS or with software.
- PCIe / Expansion SlotPCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is the standard high-speed interface used to connect expansion cards to a computer's motherboard.
- Planned ObsolescencePlanned obsolescence is the business strategy of designing products to become outdated or non-functional after a predictable period, encouraging consumers to purchase replacements sooner than necessary.
- Portable SSDA portable SSD is a pocket-sized external solid-state drive that connects over USB-C or Thunderbolt for storing, backing up, and moving files.
- Power over EthernetPower over Ethernet (PoE) is a technology that delivers electrical power alongside data through standard Ethernet (Cat5e/Cat6) network cables.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU)A power supply unit, or PSU, is the component inside a desktop computer that converts the electricity from your wall outlet into the right type and amount of power that each computer component needs.
- PrinterA printer is a device that takes a document or image from your computer and puts it on paper.
- RAM (random-access memory)RAM, or random-access memory, is the fast, temporary workspace a computer or phone uses to hold the programs and data it's actively working on.
- Refresh rateRefresh rate is how many times per second a display updates its picture, measured in hertz (Hz).
- Refurbished vs NewRefurbished electronics are devices that were previously sold, returned, or had defects corrected, and have been inspected, repaired as needed, and resold.
- Right to RepairRight to repair is a consumer advocacy movement and growing body of legislation aimed at ensuring that consumers and independent repair professionals have access to the parts, tools, documentation, and software needed to repair their own devices.
- ScannerA scanner is a device that takes a physical document — like a piece of paper, a photo, or a receipt — and turns it into a digital file on your computer.
- SD CardAn SD card (Secure Digital card) is a small, thin memory card used to store files like photos, videos, and documents.
- Secure Wipe / DegaussingSecure wiping and degaussing are methods for permanently destroying data on storage devices to prevent recovery.
- Semiconductor / Chip FabricationSemiconductor fabrication (chip manufacturing or 'fab') is the industrial process of building computer chips.
- Smart Speaker (Alexa, Google Home)A smart speaker is a wireless speaker with a built-in voice assistant — like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's Siri — that listens for your voice commands and responds.
- Smart TVA Smart TV is a television with built-in internet connectivity and apps, so you can stream shows and movies from services like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ without needing an extra device.
- SmartwatchA smartwatch is a wearable device that looks like a traditional wristwatch but can do much more — it connects to your phone and shows notifications, tracks your health and fitness, and lets you perform quick actions like replying to messages or setting timers without pulling out your phone.
- Solid State Drive (SSD)A solid state drive, or SSD, is a storage device that saves all your files — just like a hard drive — but without any moving parts.
- Speaker / Audio OutputA speaker is a device that takes electronic signals and turns them into sound you can hear — whether that is music, a person's voice on a call, or a notification alert.
- StylusA stylus is a pen-like tool used to write, draw, or tap on a touchscreen.
- System on a Chip (SoC)A System on a Chip (SoC) integrates multiple computing components that traditionally existed as separate chips onto a single piece of silicon: CPU cores, GPU, memory controller, neural processing unit (NPU), image signal processor (ISP), modem, and other specialized hardware.
- Thermal PasteThermal paste (also called thermal compound, thermal grease, or thermal interface material/TIM) is a substance applied between a processor (CPU or GPU) and its heatsink or cooling solution.
- Thermal throttlingThermal throttling is a safety feature where a CPU or GPU automatically reduces its speed when it gets too hot, preventing damage.
- TransistorA transistor is a tiny electronic component that acts as a switch or amplifier for electrical signals.
- WebcamA webcam is a small camera attached to or built into your computer that captures video of you in real time.