| |
Criterion |
Explanation |
Typical
Desktop |
Typical
Laptop |
| Basic
criteria |
CPU Speed |
Speed at which the
computer executes program instructions |
1.8Ghz |
1.8Ghz |
RAM
(Random Access Memory) |
Amount of short term
memory |
1Gb-2Gb |
1Gb-3gb |
| Hard disk space |
Amount of long term
memory |
250Gb |
160Gb-320Gb |
|
|
|
|
|
| Other
internal options |
Modem |
Connects
to telephone dial-up network |
56Kbps |
56Kbps |
Network adapter
(aka NIC or Ethernet card) |
Connects
to high-speed local area network (LAN) |
100Mbps |
100Mbps |
| Parallel port(s) |
Connects
to old style printers |
1 |
0 |
| Serial port(s) |
Connects
to old style devices such as modems and some printers |
1 |
1 |
| USB ports |
Connects
to USB devices such as printers, scanners, and special devices |
4 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Monitor |
Display technology |
CRT - old
and clunky
LCD - thin but not hard to see in bright light |
CRT |
LCD |
| Maximum resolution |
Expressed
in horizontal and vertical pixels |
1280x1024 |
1280x1024 |
| Dots per inch |
The more
the better |
|
|
| Screen size |
Usually
measured in diagonal inches (from left top to right bottom of viewable
area) |
17 inch |
15.4 inch |
| Refresh rate |
The
faster the better for video games. Slow rates can cause a trail of "ghost"
images when things move fast across the screen. |
10ms |
5ms |
