| A | B |
|---|
| central processing unit (CPU) | "Brain" of the computer. Handles primary calculations for the computer |
| connector | small receptacles used to attach cables to a system. Common types are USB, PS/2 & DB-25 |
| DB connector | D-shaped connectors used for variety of connections in the PC and networking world. Can be male (with prongs) or female (with holes) and have a varying number of pins or sockets |
| digital visual interface | special video connector designed for digital-to-digital connections; most commonly seen on PC video cards and LCD monitors. |
| D-subminiature | D-shaped connectors used for variety of connections in the PC and networking world. Can be male (with prongs) or female (with holes) and have a varying number of pins or sockets |
| eSATA | serial ATA-based connector for external hard drives and optical drives |
| expansion slot | connectors on a motherboard that enable users to add optional components to a system |
| fire wire | interconnection standard to send wide-band signals over a serialized, physically thin connector system. Serial bus developed by Apple and Texas Instruments; enables connections of 63 devices at speeds up to 800 megabits per second |
| floppy drive | system hardware that uses removable 3.5 inch disks as storage media |
| hard drive | stores programs and data. |
| Hi-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) | single multimedia connection that includes both high-definition video and audio. One of the best connections for outputting to television and contains copy protection features. |
| hot-swappable | any hardware that may be attached to or removed from a PC without interrupting the PC's normal processing |
| IEEE 1394 | standard governing FireWire communication |
| jack | part of a connector into which a plug is inserted. Also referred to as ports |
| joystick | peripheral often used while playing computer games; originally intended as a multipurpose input device |
| keyboard | input device. three common types of keyboards: those that use a mini-DIN (PS/2) connection, those that use USB and those that use wireless technology |
| microprocessor | "BRAIN" of the computer, primary computer chip that determines relative speed and capabilities of the computer, also called CPU |
| mini-audio connector | very popular, 1/8-inch diameter connector used to transmit two audio signals; perfect for stereo sound |
| mini-DIN connector | small connection most commonly used for keyboards and mice. Many modern systems implement USB in place of mini-DIN connections. Also called PS/2 |
| modem | device that converts a digital bit stream into an analog signal (modulation) and converts incoming analog signals back into digital signals (demodulation). Analog communications channel is typically a telephone line, and analog signals are typically sounds. |
| monitor | screen that displays |
| motherboard | flat piece of circuit board that resides inside your computer case and has a number of connectors on it. You can use these connectors to attach a variety of devices to your system, including hard drives, CD-ROM drives, floppy disk drives and sound cards |
| mouse | input device that enables users to manipulate a cursor on the screen to select items. |
| network interface card (NIC) | expansion card that enables a PC to physically link to a network. |
| optical drive | drive used to read/write to optical discs, such as CDs or DVDs |
| parallel port | connection for the synchronous, high-speed flow of data along parallel lines to a device, usually a printer |
| peripherals | any device that connects to the system unit |
| plug | hardware connection with some sort of projection that connects to a port |
| port | physical connection where part of a connector into which a plug is inserted. Physical ports are also referred to as jacks |
| power supply | provides the electrical power for a PC. Converts standard AC power into various voltages of DC electricity in a PC |
| printer | output device that can print text or illustrations on paper. Microsoft uses the term to refer to the software that controls the physical print device |
| programming | series of binary electronic commands sent to a CPU to get work done |
| random access memory (RAM) | memory that can be accessed at random; that is, which you can write to or read from without touching the preceding address. This term is often used to mean a computer's main memory |
| RJ connector | unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable connector, used for both telephone and network connections. RJ-11 is a connector for four-wire UTP; usually found in telephone connections. RJ-45 is a connector for eight-wire UTP; usually found in network connections. |
| serial port | common connector on a PC. Connects input devices (such as mouse) or communications devices (such as modems) |
| software | single group of programs designed to do a particular job; always stored on mass storage devices |
| Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) | this connection consolidated the various sound signals into one connection |
| speakers | device that outputs sound by using magnetically driven diaphragms |
| system unit | main component of the PC, in which the CPU, RAM, CD-ROM, and hard drive reside. All other devices-the keyboard, mouse, and monitor-connect to the system unit |
| trackball | pointing device distinguished by a ball that is rolled with the fingers |
| universal serial bus (USB) | general purpose serial interconnect for keyboards, printers, joysticks, and many other devices. Enables hot-swapping devices |
| Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) | consortium of computer manufacturers that standardized improvements to common IBM PC components. It is responsible for the Super VGA video standard and the VLB bus architecture |
