Laptop listings assume you already speak the language. This page is the dictionary. Each entry has a plain explanation and, where it helps, what to look for when you’re buying. Bookmark it and come back when a listing throws a new term at you.
Processor and performance
CPU (processor). The part that does the thinking. It runs every program on the laptop. Common families are Intel Core, AMD Ryzen, Apple M-series and Qualcomm Snapdragon.
Core. One worker inside the CPU. More cores help when you’re doing many things at once or running heavy software like video editors. For browsing and documents, four to six good cores are plenty.
Generation. How recent a CPU design is. A newer generation is usually faster and more efficient than an older one with a fancier name. See our guide to CPU names.
NPU. A small chip built to run AI features, such as background blur on calls, without draining the battery. Nice to have, not yet a reason to buy. More in Why Is AI Being Built Into Everything?
Throttling. When a laptop slows itself down because it’s getting too hot. Thin laptops throttle sooner than thick ones.
Memory and storage
RAM (memory). Short-term working space. Every open tab and app uses some. When it runs out, the laptop slows to a crawl. For Windows, 16GB is the comfortable amount.
DDR4, DDR5. Generations of RAM. DDR5 is newer and faster. You can’t mix them.
Soldered. Permanently attached to the main board. Soldered RAM or storage can never be upgraded or replaced.
SSD. Solid-state drive. Fast storage with no moving parts. What you want.
NVMe. The fast type of SSD used in most current laptops.
HDD. Hard disk drive. Older storage with spinning platters. Slow as a main drive, still useful for cheap backups.
eMMC. Slow, soldered storage found in the cheapest laptops. Fine in a basic Chromebook, frustrating in a Windows laptop. Our storage explainer compares all three.
Graphics
GPU (graphics card). The part that draws what’s on screen. It matters most for games, video editing and 3D work.
Integrated graphics. A GPU built into the processor. It shares the laptop’s RAM. Fine for everyday use and light games.
Discrete or dedicated GPU. A separate, more powerful graphics chip with its own memory, such as Nvidia GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon. Needed for serious gaming.
VRAM. The GPU’s own memory. More VRAM lets games use higher-quality textures and higher resolutions.
TGP. The amount of power a laptop lets its graphics chip use, in watts. Two laptops with the “same” GPU can perform very differently if one has a low TGP. Good listings state it.
Screen
Resolution. The number of pixels. FHD is 1920 x 1080. QHD or 2.5K is around 2560 x 1440 or 2560 x 1600. 4K is 3840 x 2160. Plain “HD” is 1366 x 768 and best avoided.
Nits. Brightness. Around 300 is comfortable indoors, and 400 or more is good near windows.
Refresh rate (Hz). How many times the screen redraws each second. 60Hz is standard. 120Hz or more makes scrolling and games look smoother.
IPS. The standard good-quality panel type, with solid colors and wide viewing angles.
OLED. A panel where each pixel makes its own light. Perfect blacks and rich color. See OLED, IPS or Mini-LED?
sRGB, DCI-P3, NTSC. Ways of measuring how many colors a screen can show. “100% sRGB” is a good sign. “45% NTSC” means dull, washed-out color.
Aspect ratio. The shape of the screen. 16:9 is wide and short. 16:10 and 3:2 are taller and show more of a document or web page.
Battery and charging
Wh (watt-hours). The size of the battery. It’s the most honest battery number in a listing. Bigger means longer runtime with the same parts.
USB-C Power Delivery (PD). Charging through a USB-C port. Handy, because one charger can serve your laptop, phone and tablet.
GaN charger. A newer kind of charger that’s smaller and cooler for the same power.
Ports and wireless
USB-A. The classic rectangular USB port.
USB-C. The small oval port. The shape tells you nothing about what it can do. Some charge and run monitors, and some only move data.
Thunderbolt and USB4. The most capable kinds of USB-C port. Fast data, monitors and charging through one cable. Our field guide to ports describes each one.
Wi-Fi 6, 6E, 7. Generations of Wi-Fi. Newer is faster and handles crowded networks better, but only if your router supports it too.
Design and extras
2-in-1. A laptop with a touchscreen that folds flat or detaches to work like a tablet.
Bloatware. Preinstalled trial software you didn’t ask for. Safe to uninstall.
TPM. A security chip that Windows 11 requires. Every current laptop has one. It mainly matters when you’re buying an older used machine.
Chassis. The body of the laptop. Aluminum and magnesium feel sturdier than plastic, though good plastic holds up fine.
Still stuck?
If a listing uses a term that isn’t here, that’s sometimes a sign it’s a made-up marketing name. Our translation guide to laptop marketing covers the most common ones, and How to Read a Laptop Spec Sheet shows how the pieces fit together.
More reading: all Dealmania articles