Glossary

Sony VAIO Desktop User Guide

 

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CPU

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brains of the computer; it processes the instructions

 

of your system’s programs. The CPU is also known as the processor or microprocessor and can

 

be found on the motherboard of your computer.

 

 

DC In

The Direct Current interface to which you connect your computer’s AC adapter.

 

 

Driver

A driver is software enabling you to use hardware devices. For example, in order for you to

 

be able to use a printer, you must first install its driver. Many drivers, such as the mouse

 

driver, come with the operating system.

 

 

DDR SDRAM

DDR SDRAM is the new version of SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory)

 

with a high-speed data transfer function called double data rate mode.

 

 

DVD-ROM

Short for Digital Versatile Disc. A type of read-only CD with a minimum capacity of 4.7 GB

 

(maximum capacity can reach 17 GB). This high storage power makes it the ideal medium for

 

storing films.

 

 

DVD-RW

Short for DVD-Rewriteable. A DVD format that allows the user to record and erase multiple

 

times on a single DVD disc. By comparison, a DVD-R can only be written to once.

 

 

Ethernet

Ethernet is the most widely implemented local area network (LAN) technology. The Ethernet

 

system called 10BASE-T provides data transfer rates of 10 Mbps (megabits per second). A

 

more recent version of Ethernet, called 100BASE-T, provides data transfer rates of 100 Mbps.

 

Gigabit Ethernet supports data rates of 1 gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second.

 

 

EULA

EULA (End-User Licence Agreement) is the name given to a licence governing the software

 

on your computer. The EULA can be found in the Read this first (page 1) section at the

 

beginning of the software guide or directly on the VAIO desktop.

 

 

i.LINK™

i.LINK™ is Sony’s version of the IEEE 1394 standard for high-speed digital serial interface.

 

The standard is regarded in the audio/video and IT industries as the most suitable interface

 

for connecting computers and digital audio/video devices (such as digital cameras etc.).

 

 

ISP

An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company which provides you with a user name,

 

password and telephone number in order to connect to the Internet.

 

 

L2 cache memory

Cache memory is RAM-like memory that enables quick access to data that has already been

 

read by the computer. L1 and L2 are levels of cache memory in a computer.

 

 

LAN

A LAN (Local Area Network) is a group of computers connected together within a limited

 

geographical area. It enables users to share devices (such as printers) and information using

 

one processor or server.