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User’s Manual Glossary-9
Glossary
L
L1 cache: Level one cache. Memory cache built into the processor to help
improve processing speed. See also cache memory, L2 cache.
L2 cache: Memory cache installed on the motherboard to help improve
processing speed. It is slower than L1 cache and faster than main memory.
See also cache memory, L1 cache.
LAN: A group of computers or other devices dispersed over a relatively limited
area and connected by a communications link that enables any device to
interact with any other on the network.
Light Emitting Diode (LED): A semiconductor device that emits light when a
current is applied.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): Liquid crystal sealed between two sheets of glass
coated with transparent conducting material. The viewing-side coating is
etched into character forming segments with leads that extend to the edge of
the glass. Applying a voltage between the glass sheets.
M
main board: See motherboard.
megabyte (MB): A unit of data storage equal to 1024 kilobytes. See also kilobyte.
megahertz: A unit of wave frequency that equals 1 million cycles per second. See
also hertz.
memory: Typically refers to the computer’s main memory, where programs are
run and data is temporarily stored and processed. Memory can be volatile and
hold data temporarily, such as RAM, or it can be nonvolatile and hold data
permanently, such as ROM. A computer’s main memory is RAM. See RAM,
ROM.
menu: A software interface that displays a list of options on the screen. Also
called a screen.
microprocessor: A hardware component contained in a single integrated circuit
that carries out instructions. Also called the central processing unit (CPU), one
of the main parts of the computer.
mode: A method of operation, for example, the Boot Mode, Sleep Mode or the
Hibernation Mode.
modem: Derived from modulator/demodulator, a device that converts (modulates)
digital data for transmission over telephone lines and then converts modulated
data (demodulates) to digital format where received.
monitor: A device that uses rows and columns of pixels to display alphanumeric
characters or graphic images. See also CRT.