palmtop
A portable personal computer whose size enables it to be held in one hand while it is operated with the other hand. A major difference between palmtop computers and laptop computers is that palmtops are usually powered by off-the-shelf batteries such as AA cells. Palmtop computers typically do not have disk drives; rather, their programs are stored in ROM and are loaded into RAM when they are switched on. More recent palmtop computers are equipped with PCMCIA slots to provide wider flexibility and greater capability.
patch
A piece of programming code that is added to an existing program to repair a deficiency in the functionality of an existing routine or program. It is generally provided in response to an unforeseen need or set of circumstances. Patching is also a common means of adding a new feature or function to a program until the next major version of the software is released.
PC
An acronym for personal computer, it is now a commonly used term that means any microcomputer that includes a microprocessor in the Intel 80x86 family (or compatible).
PC Card
An add-in card, first introduced in 1990, that conforms to the specifications of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA). It is a removable device, approximately the same size as a credit card, that is designed to plug into a PCMCIA slot. PC cards can function as a modem, fax or network card, as well as offer additional memory to a system.
PC-compatible
Conforming to IBM PC/XT and PC/AT hardware and software specifications, which has been the de facto standard in the computing industry for personal computers that use the Intel 80x86 family or compatible chips. Though most PC-compatible computers today are developed outside of IBM; they are still sometimes referred to as clones.
PC-DOS
Acronym for Personal Computer Disk Operating System. This is the version of MS-DOS sold by IBM. MS-DOS and PC-DOS are virtually identical, although filenames of utility programs sometimes differ in the two versions.
PCMCIA
Acronym for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. It is the common standard for PC Card-based peripherals and the slot designed to hold them, primarily on laptop, palmtop, and other portable computers, as well as for intelligent electronic devices. The PCMCIA standard was first introduced in 1990.
PC memory card
An add-in circuit card that increases the amount of RAM in a system, as specified by PCMCIA. The card consists of conventional static RAM chips powered by a small battery and is designed to provide additional RAM to the system.
prerequisite
As related to Microsoft product compliance, a prerequisite refers to what is needed for a given product to reach the compliance classification indicated. It could include a software update that is required or a specific version of a related Microsoft technology that the product needs.
