A notebook computer, also known as laptop computer, is a small mobile personal computer. Laptops usually run on batteries, but also from adapters which also charge the battery using mains electricity. Notebook computers are capable of many of the same tasks that desktop computers perform, although they are typically less powerful for the same price. Notebooks contain components that are similar to those in their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions but are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption.

No-write allocation is a cache policy where only processor reads are cached to avoid the need for write-back or write-through. A cache stores data duplicating original values stored elsewhere or computed earlier, to speed up data access. When a datum is written to the cache, it must at some point be written to the backing store as well. The timing of this write is controlled by what is known as the write policy.

Network Processor (NPU), similar to a microprocessor or CPU, is specially deisgned for use in applications involving network routing and packet processing. Many network processors feature multiple RISC CPUs running in parallel. In this configuration, one central processor typically receives and handles network control packets while the others pass data packets through the system at network speeds. Network Processors are typically software programmable devices and would have generic characteristics simliar to general purpose CPUs that are commonly used in may different types of equipment and products.

NuBus is a 32-bit parallel computer bus, originally developed at MIT as a part of the NuMachine workstation project, and eventually used by Apple Computer and NeXT Computer. It is no longer widely used.

Null modem is a communication method to connect two DTEs (computer, terminal, printer etc.) directly using a RS-232 serial cable. The original RS-232 standard only defined the connection of DTEs with DCEs i.e. modems. With a null modem connection, the transmit and receive lines are crosslinked. Depending on the purpose, sometimes also one or more handshake lines are crosslinked. Several wiring layouts are in use because the null modem connection is not covered by a standard. Null modems are particularly useful with portable computers because they enable the portable computer to exchange data with a larger system.

Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA), also known as Non-Uniform Memory Architecture, is a computer memory architecture, used in multiprocessors, where the memory access time depends on the memory location. Under NUMA, a processor can access its own local memory faster than non-local memory

Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) can retain its contents when power is turned off. SRAM is one type of NVRAM that is made non-volatile by connecting it to a constant power source such as a battery. Another type of NVRAM uses EEPROM chips to save its contents when power is turned off.

Non Zero-Dispersion-Shifted Fiber (NZ-DSF) is a dispersion shifted Single Mode (SM) fiber that has the zero dispersion point near the 1550 nm window.

Nagware, also known as annoyware, is a type of shareware software. Other types of shareware include demoware, crippleware, freeware, adware, and even spyware. Nagware reminds —or nags— the user to register it by paying a fee. It usually does this by popping up a message when the user starts the program or, worse, intermittently while the user is using the application. These messages can appear as windows obscuring part of the screen or message boxes that can quickly be closed.

In programming languages, name binding refers to the association of values with identifiers. An identifier bound to a value is said to reference that value. Since computers themselves have no notion of identifiers, there is no binding at the machine language level — name binding is an abstraction provided by programming languages. Binding is intimately connected with scoping, as scope determines when binding occurs.