ESL Podcast 405 - Buying Computer Accessories

desktop - a computer that has a large machine and a separate monitor, keyboard, and mouse, designed to be put on a desk and not to be moved around very often

The nice thing about a desktop computer is that if the keyboard breaks, you can get a new keyboard without having to replace the whole computer.

laptop - notebook computer; a small computer that folds and can be put in a bag or backpack, designed to be moved around a lot

Many students take their laptops to that coffee shop so that they can study with their friends.

versatile - with many different uses; something that can be used in many different ways and/or with many different purposes

Tomatoes are very versatile, since they can be cooked in many different ways, or even eaten without cooking them.

screen - the flat, rectangular part of a computer monitor that one looks at, which produces light and has text and images on it

Jake was pointing to things on the computer screen and now his fingerprints are all over it.

monitor - the part of a computer that sits on a desk and holds the screen so that users can look at it to read text and see images

Can you change the color settings on the monitor?

connector - something that puts two pieces of electronic equipment together, usually with many holes in one end or both ends

We bought a connector so that we could plug our MP3 player into the car stereo and listen to podcasts as we drive.

cable - a long piece of wire covered in plastic that connects two pieces of electronic equipment together

Under his desk there are a bunch of unorganized cables for printers, scanners, digital cameras, keyboards, phones, and more.

to hook (something) up - to connect two things, usually electronics, by plugging one part into another part

Dad hooked the DVD player up to the TV.

monitor stand - a piece of plastic and/or metal that one puts a monitor on top of to hold the monitor where it should be at whatever height or angle the user wants

The monitor stand should be high enough so that you don't have to lean over to read the text on the screen.

to elevate - to raise; to make something higher; to move something up

You'll need a special tool to elevate your car when you need to change the tire.

speaker - a piece of electronics that makes noise and is used to listen to music, podcasts, the radio, and more

Your speakers are too loud! Please use headphones so that we don't have to hear your music.

to plug (something) into (something) - to connect a piece of electronic equipment into another piece or into a source of electricity, usually by putting small pieces at the end of a cable into a small hole

Do you know how to plug your digital camera into the computer so that you can see the photos?

battery - a piece of electronics that stores electricity so that cell phones, cameras, computers, and other things can be used without being connected to the source of electricity in a wall

How often do you have to buy a new battery for your watch?

spare - extra; an additional piece or copy of something

We need to always have a spare tire in the back of our car so that we can get home even if one of the tires loses all its air.

power cord - a long cable (a piece of wire covered with plastic) that connects a piece of electronics to the source of electricity in a wall

Theo wanted to use his computer at the airport, but he couldn't find anywhere to plug the power cord in.

keyboard - a rectangular piece of plastic with many keys (buttons), each with a letter, number, or symbol on it, that is used to enter information into a computer

The dollar sign ($) and the number 4 are on the same key on most U.S. keyboards.

cramped - crowded; very close together, without very much room

Their car is cramped whenever they travel with all five of their children.

mouse - a small piece of electronics that is connected to a computer and has two buttons, which one puts under one's hand and rolls over a desk or table to make things move on a computer screen

Use the mouse to move to the upper-right hand corner and click the red box to make that program close.

accessory - something that is used with another machine or product and, although it is not necessary, makes it better, faster, easier to use, or prettier

When we bought a new digital camera, we also bought two accessories: a black bag for carrying it and a bigger memory card.