UNIT 2 - Buying a new computer
| Sitio: | AULA VIRTUAL do IES Ricardo Mella |
| Curso: | English_STI |
| Libro: | UNIT 2 - Buying a new computer |
| Impreso por: | Usuario convidado |
| Data: | venres, 16 de xaneiro de 2026, 10:34 PM |
1. Starter
Name these different types of devices. Then match the possible users below to each type. Justify your choice.
- student using a computer for entertainment while travelling
- large company processing payroll data
- travelling salesperson giving marketing presentations
- large scientific organisation processing work on nuclear research
- businessperson keeping in touch with clients while travelling
- graphic designer
- secretary doing general office work
2. Devices
1a. Supercomputer
A supercomputer is the most powerful type of computer.
It can perform millions of calculations per second and is used for scientific research, weather forecasting, nuclear simulations, or space exploration.
Example: NASA or CERN use supercomputers.
b. Mainframe
A mainframe is a very large and expensive computer used by big companies or governments to process huge amounts of data — like payroll, banking transactions, or flight reservations.
Example: Banks use mainframes to manage accounts.
c. Workstation
A workstation is a high-performance computer for professionals who need more power than a normal PC — for example, graphic designers, architects, or engineers.
Example: A designer using AutoCAD or Photoshop.
d. Desktop
A desktop computer is the typical home or office PC, placed on a desk, with separate monitor, keyboard, and CPU.
Example: The computer you use at school or in an office.
e. Portable
A portable computer is designed to be moved easily. It usually refers to a laptop or notebook — smaller, lighter, and battery-powered.
Example: You take it to meetings or work remotely.
f. Pen-based computer
A pen-based computer uses a stylus (digital pen) instead of a keyboard. You can write or draw directly on the screen.
Example: A tablet or a device for surveys or signatures.
g. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
A PDA is a small handheld computer, popular before smartphones, used to manage contacts, calendars, and notes.
Example: PalmPilot or early HP iPAQ devices.
3. Match each item in Column A with its function in Column B.
| A – Item | B – Function |
|---|---|
| RAM | controls the cursor |
| processor | inputs data through keys like a typewriter |
| mouse | displays the output from a computer on a screen |
| clock | reads DVD-ROMs |
| flash memory key | reads and writes to electronic chips on a card |
| monitor | holds instructions which are needed to start up the computer |
| keyboard | holds data read or written to it by the processor |
| DVD-ROM drive | provides extremely fast access for sections of a program and its data |
| cache | controls the timing of signals in the computer |
| ROM | controls all the operations in a computer |
Show answers
| Item (A) | Correct Function (B) |
|---|---|
| RAM | holds data read or written to it by the processor |
| processor | controls all the operations in a computer |
| mouse | controls the cursor |
| clock | controls the timing of signals in the computer |
| flash memory key | reads and writes to electronic chips on a card |
| monitor | displays the output from a computer on a screen |
| keyboard | inputs data through keys like a typewriter |
| DVD-ROM drive | reads DVD-ROMs |
| cache | provides extremely fast access for sections of a program and its data |
| ROM | holds instructions which are needed to start up the computer |
4. How to read a computer AD
- Intel Pentium 4 processor (3GHz, 800MHz FSB)
- Mini-tower chassis
- 1GB dual channel DDR2 SDRAM
- 200GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 r.p.m.)
- 128MB PCI-Express video card
- Integrated audio
- 48X CD-RW drive
- 19" TFT flat panel XGA (1024 × 768) monitor
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Processor
- The main processing chip called a “Pentium 4”, designed and manufactured by Intel. It runs at 3 gigahertz and uses a front-side bus at 800 megahertz.
- Chassis
- A small, tall and narrow style of case containing the computer system.
- Memory (RAM)
- Synchronous dynamic random access memory with a capacity of one gigabyte; high-bandwidth, double-data-rate memory.
- Hard drive
- Capacity of two hundred gigabytes using Serial ATA (serial data connection rather than the original parallel connection); rotates at 7,200 revolutions per minute.
- Video card
- Electronics for driving the graphics output, with 128 megabytes of memory, using the PCI-Express interface.
- Audio
- Electronics for controlling the sound output that are built into the main electronics of the computer.
- Optical drive
- Compact disc read/write drive operating at forty-eight times the speed of the original CD drives.
- Monitor
- Nineteen-inch flat display screen made from thin-film transistors with a resolution of 1024 by 768.
- Operating system
- The software used to control the system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
5. Categories, units of measure and examples
| Category | What it measures | Typical Unit(s) | Example | Explanation (simple English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Speed / frequency | GHz (gigahertz) | 3.0 GHz | The number of billions of cycles per second. The higher, the faster the processor. |
| Memory (RAM) | Temporary working memory | GB (gigabytes) | 8 GB | How much data the computer can handle at the same time. More RAM → better multitasking. |
| Storage | Permanent data capacity | GB or TB (gigabytes / terabytes) | 512 GB SSD or 1 TB HDD | Where programs and files are saved. SSD = faster, HDD = larger but slower. |
| Graphics (GPU) | Video memory (VRAM) | GB (gigabytes) | 6 GB VRAM | Amount of memory for images, video, or 3D games. |
| Display / Monitor | Screen size and resolution | Inches (″) + pixels (e.g., 1920 × 1080) | 15.6″ Full HD | The size of the screen and how clear the image is. |
| Optical Drive | Reading/writing speed | x (speed multiplier) | 48× CD-RW | “×” means times faster than the original CD speed. |
| Battery (laptops) | Battery life | Hours (h) | 10 h | How long the computer can run without charging. |
| Weight (laptops) | Portability | kg / lb | 1.8 kg | How heavy the computer is. |
| Ports / Connectivity | Transfer speed | Gbps (gigabits per second) | USB 3.0 = 5 Gbps | How fast data moves between devices. |
| Price | Cost | € / $ | €899 | How much it costs (currency). |
6. Asking and replying
| Category | Question | Possible Short Answer | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 🔹 What kind of processor does it have? | It has an Intel Core i5. | → It has an Intel Core i5 processor running at 3 GHz. |
| Memory (RAM) | 🔹 How much memory does it have? | 8 GB of RAM. | → It has 8 GB of RAM. |
| Storage | 🔹 How much storage does it have? | 512 GB SSD. | → It has a 512 GB solid-state drive. |
| Graphics (GPU) | 🔹 What graphics card does it have? | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. | → It has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. |
| Display / Monitor | 🔹 How big is the screen? | 15.6 inches. | → It has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen. |
| Optical Drive | 🔹 Does it have a CD/DVD drive? | Yes, it has a DVD-RW drive. / No, it doesn’t. | → No, it doesn’t have an optical drive. |
| Battery (laptops) | 🔹 How long does the battery last? | About 10 hours. | → The battery lasts about 10 hours. |
| Weight (laptops) | 🔹 How much does it weigh? | Around 1.8 kilograms. | → It weighs around 1.8 kg. |
| Ports / Connectivity | 🔹 What ports does it have? | It has USB-C and HDMI ports. | → It includes 3 USB ports and an HDMI output. |
| Price | 🔹 How much does it cost? | €899 / $999. | → It costs €899. |
7. Excuse me, could you help me out?
🗣️ 1. Greetings and Offers of Help
|
English expression |
Function |
Spanish translation |
|
Good morning / afternoon! |
Greeting |
¡Buenos días / tardes! |
|
Can I help you? / How can I help you today? |
Offering help |
¿Puedo ayudarle? / ¿En qué puedo ayudarle hoy? |
|
Are you looking for something in particular? |
Asking purpose |
¿Busca algo en concreto? |
|
Welcome to Buy More / TechWorld! |
Welcoming |
¡Bienvenido a…! |
💬 2. Asking about products
|
English expression |
Function |
Spanish translation |
|
I’m looking for a new laptop. |
Expressing need |
Estoy buscando un nuevo portátil. |
|
Do you have any gaming computers? |
Asking availability |
¿Tienen ordenadores para juegos? |
|
What brands do you recommend? |
Asking for advice |
¿Qué marcas recomienda? |
|
What’s the difference between these two models? |
Comparing |
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre estos dos modelos? |
|
Does it come with a warranty? |
Asking about service |
¿Viene con garantía? |
💰 3. Talking about prices and payments
|
English expression |
Function |
Spanish translation |
|
How much does it cost? / What’s the price? |
Asking price |
¿Cuánto cuesta? |
|
It’s on sale today. / There’s a discount. |
Giving offer info |
Está en oferta hoy. / Hay un descuento. |
|
It costs $799.99 (seven hundred ninety-nine dollars). |
Stating price |
Cuesta 799,99 dólares. |
|
Do you take credit cards? / Can I pay in cash? |
Asking payment options |
¿Aceptan tarjetas? / ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo? |
|
Here’s your receipt. |
Giving document |
Aquí tiene su recibo. |
🙋 4. Ending the conversation politely
|
English expression |
Function |
Spanish translation |
|
Thank you for your help. |
Expressing gratitude |
Gracias por su ayuda. |
|
You’re welcome! / My pleasure! |
Responding politely |
¡De nada! / ¡Un placer! |
|
Have a nice day! |
Closing |
¡Que tenga un buen día! |
|
Hope to see you again soon! |
Friendly closing |
¡Espero volver a verle pronto! |
8. Ad.1
HP - 14" Chromebook - Intel Celeron - 4GB Memory - 64GB eMMC - Modern Grey
|
Category |
Specification |
Simplified Description |
|
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Celeron |
Entry-level processor (suitable for basic tasks). |
|
Memory (RAM) |
4 GB |
Low RAM capacity — fine for light tasks, limited multitasking. |
|
Storage |
64 GB eMMC |
Small-capacity storage with eMMC (slower than SSD). |
|
Graphics (GPU) |
Intel UHD Graphics |
Integrated graphics — not suited for heavy gaming or design. |
|
Display / Monitor |
14″ LED, 1366 × 768 (HD) |
Compact screen, older resolution standard. |
|
Operating System |
Chrome OS |
Lightweight Chromebook OS — uses cloud / web apps. |
|
Other Features |
Modern Grey finish; Model: 14a-ne1013dx |
Portable, simple design; model clearly labelled. |
|
Price |
US $329.00 |
Indicative price in the ad. |
9. Ad.2
|
Category |
Specification |
Simplified Description |
|
Processor (CPU) |
Intel Core i7-14650HX |
A high-performance 14th-gen Intel processor suitable for gaming and multitasking. |
|
Memory (RAM) |
32 GB |
Large amount of RAM — supports heavy computing, gaming, and multiple apps at once. |
|
Storage |
1 TB SSD |
A big and fast solid-state drive for games, projects and everyday use. |
|
Graphics (GPU) |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 |
Dedicated GPU — good for gaming, graphics design and demanding tasks. |
|
Display / Monitor |
16″, Full HD (FHD), 165 Hz refresh rate |
Large screen, smooth refresh rate — ideal for gaming and visuals. |
|
Operating System |
Windows (assumed latest version) |
Standard Windows OS — broad software compatibility. |
|
Other Features |
“Jaeger Gray” colour, gaming-oriented chassis |
Stylish design, gaming style build. |
|
Price |
$1,539.99 or $64.17/mo. suggested payments with 24-Month Financing |
Commercial price from the ad (check current listing for exact price). |
10. Ad. 3
Apple - MacBook Pro 13.3" Laptop - M2 chip - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Space Gray
|
Category |
Specification |
Simplified Description |
|
Processor (CPU) |
Apple M2 chip |
Modern Apple silicon — high efficiency and performance. (bestbuy.com) |
|
Memory (RAM) |
8 GB |
Entry-level for a professional laptop — good for basic tasks, limited for heavy multitasking. |
|
Storage |
256 GB SSD |
Solid-state drive — faster than traditional HDD; moderate capacity. (bestbuy.com) |
|
Graphics (GPU) |
Integrated (Apple M2) |
Uses integrated GPU cores within the M2 chip – fine for many tasks, not high-end dedicated gaming. |
|
Display / Monitor |
13.3″ Retina display, resolution 2560×1600 |
High-quality screen with good resolution for work, creative, or professional use. (bestbuy.com) |
|
Operating System |
macOS |
Apple’s own operating system — different ecosystem from Windows/Chrome. |
|
Other Features |
Colour: Space Gray; Model: 2022 version |
Sleek design, portable professional-style laptop. (bestbuy.com) |
|
Price |
$1,104.99 or $46.05 /mo. 24-Month Financing |
Commercial price from listing (check for currency/region) |
