Daily Life - Buying a Computer(0140)

Customer:

So can you fix it?

Sales Clerk:

I'm sorry sir. This computer is not broken or damaged. It's simply just too old! That's why your programs and applications are running slow. There really isn't much I can do.

Customer:

What do you mean? I bought this computer just three years ago!

Sales Clerk:

Yes, but technology is ever changing and technology is becoming obsolete faster and faster!

Customer:

Ok, I know where this is going. How much will it cost me to get a new computer?

Sales Clerk:

Well, this desktop over here is our latest model. It has a four gigahertz processor with sixteen gigabytes in RAM and a hard disk with one terabyte. Of course, it includes a mouse, keyboard and desk speakers.

Customer:

I have no idea what you are talking about. I just want to know if it's good and if I will be able to play solitaire without the computer crashing or freezing all the time!

Sales Clerk:

This PC is top of the line and I guarantee it will never freeze! If it does, we'll give you your money back!

Key Vocabulary

I have no idea

phrase

to be completely unaware of something

freeze

principle verb, present simple

to suddenly stop functioning

where (something) is going

phrase

the direction of an event

ever changing

phrase

always becoming different

obsolete

Adjective

no longer useful

program

common noun, singular

a computer application

gigabyte

common noun, plural

unit to measure a computer's storage capacity

random access memory

part of computer that temporarily stores informati

hard disk

phrase

part of computer that stores data

gigahertz

common noun, non-variable

measurement of computer processor speed

processor

common noun, singular

device in a computer that manages operations

crash

principle verb, present progressive

to suddenly stop functioning

guarantee

principle verb, present simple

to make a written promise

Supplementary Vocabulary

warranty

common noun, singular

a written promise that a seller will repair a product if a problem arises

laptop

common noun, singular

a portable computer

network

common noun, singular

a system for communicating between computers

evolve

verb

to change into a more advanced state

wireless modem

common noun, singular

a device that allows computers to communicate without wires