laptop computer: rear view

S-Video output

Connector that links a computer to a video output peripheral (television set, video projector, VCR).

FireWire port

High-performance connector that conforms to the FireWire standard; it is used to link high-speed peripherals (camcorder, digital camera).

infrared port

Device that uses infrared signals to exchange data with a device with a similar port (a network access transmitter-receiver, computer, printer).

internal modem port

Connector used to attach the internal modem (a two-way digital signal changing device) to a telephone line.

video port

Connector used mostly to connect the computer to an external monitor.

USB port

Connector used to link several USB standard peripherals simultaneously; it is faster than serial and parallel ports.

Ethernet port

Connector conforming to the Ethernet protocol; it is used to connect a computer to a local area network or another computer for file sharing.

power adapter port

Connector used to attach the power adapter to the computer.

cooling vent

Openings allowing air to enter to cool the computer’s internal components.