| A | B |
|---|
| GUI | a type of operating system interface |
| Gigahertz | how CPU speeds are measured |
| Cache | a temporary storage area for frequently or recently accessed data |
| ROM | read-only memory--this chip contains instructions for starting a computer, checking for hardware devices, and starting the operating system |
| 0,1 | a binary number must be either |
| motherboard's data bus | sends data from RAM to the CPU |
| motherboard's address bus | requests data from RAM to be sent to the CPU |
| Microsoft Windows | world's most popular operating system |
| CPU | central processing unit--the brain of the computer, determines the speed and power of your computer |
| motherboard | most add-on devices for a PC are connected physically to this, it is the main electronic board inside the system unit |
| UPS (uninterruptible power source) | a battery backup for a PC |
| byte | made up of 8 bits and is one individual piece of information like the letter "a" or a "space" |
| chipset | the motherboard's features and capabilities depend primarily upon this, "the heart of the PC" |
| Intel i7 Core Extreme | the newest and most powerful CPU |
| monitor | output device--enables you to see the data that you enter |
| Edward Roberts | built first personal computer |
| LAN | a network within a small geographic location |
| WAN | networks that span a wide area network |
| laptop | PC designed for portability |
| PDA | personal digital assistant, a handheld device for keeping track of appointments and notes |
| Internet | the world's largest network |
| networks | designed to share hardware, data and software |
| workstations | more powerful type of desktop or PC |
| mainframe | large computer that is capable of processing large amounts of data very quickly an serves many terminals in a business |
| minicomputer | similar to a mainframe, but it cannot handle as much data |
| supercomputers | biggest and most expensive computer |
| CD and DVD | used to store programs and collections of data |
| drives | provide a place to store programs and data |
| parallel port | biggest port with the most pins, usually used to connect your printer to the computer |
| USB port | small slot-like port on front and back of the computer |
| ethernet port | used to connect computer to a network |
| MIDI | special port used to connect musical instruments to the computer |
| processor | determines the speed and power of the computer--it consists of millions of transistors etched on a chip |
| video card | handles the communication from the processor to the monitor to display programs and data |
| modem card | used to communicate via telephone with other computers |
| keyboard | input device |
| hardware | physical parts of a computer |
| software | a set of programming instructions i.e. Microsoft Office, Microsoft Windows |
| memory | chips on a motherboard or on a small circuit board that is plugged into the motherboard |
| data bus | sends data from memory (RAM) to CPU |
| nanoseconds | RAM SPEED is measured in __________ the smaller number the faster the speed |
| ROM--read-only memory | this memory stores unchanging data such a the BIOS (basic input and output system). It holds the computer's startup routine. It's instructions are permanent. The only way they can be changed is to replace the ROM chip. |
| RAM--random access memory | the computer's working area, a place to temporarily store program instructions and data. It requires electrical power to hold data. If the computer is turned off or the power goes out, all data stored in here instantly and permanently disappears. |
| RAM measurement | _____ SIZE is measured in megabytes, gigabytes and terabytes |
| Intel | the most popular manufacturer of computer processors |
| computers | vary in size, price, power, speed and system type |
| output devices | enables you to see or print the data you enter |
| input devices | enable you to enter information, select commands, and type text |
| operating system | all systems need a special type of software called an _______ _______. Most common is Microsoft Windows |
| clock speed | the speed of a processor is measured in gigahertz (GHz). The higher the number the faster the computer. During each clock cycle, the microprocessor executes instructions. The faster the _____ speed, the more instructions your microprocessor can carry out in each second. |
| GHz | gigahertz is the measure of the processor's clock speed. One GHz is one billion cycles per second |
| multi cores | part of the CPU, each core is capable of carrying out one instruction at a time (in millionth of a second) which allows the CPU to work faster than if you just have a single core processor |
| UPS | uninterruptible power source |
| UBS | universal serial bus |
| front side bus | represents the connection between the CPU and the motherboard through a set of wires (that you don's see called the address bus) |
| AMD(Advanced Micro Devices) | a computer processor manufacturer |
| BIOS | basic input and output system that brings together all the ROMs on the computer so that they can be configured to work together |
| terabyte | 1,024 gigabytes |
| gigabyte | 1,024 megabytes |
| megabyte | 1,024 kilobytes |
| kilobyte | 1,024 bytes |
| i7 core (CI7) | this processor does every thing the I3 and i5 can do--for computer enthusiasts who like to do a lot of things with a computers |
| i5 core (CI5) | this processor is an all around chip-you can view more movies, possibly blue-ray level videos, play more intense games, photos, desktop publishing |
| i3 core (CI3) | this processor is good for typing papers, little movie viewing play games that come with the computer and net surfing |
| Mac OS X Leopard | MacIntosh's most current operating system |
| address bus | the processor sends "requests" for data to memory (RAM) |
| server | a computer used to manage network resources |
| zip disk | can hold 100MB, 250MB or 750MB and looks like a thick, heavy floppy disk |
