| A | B |
|---|
| central processing unit (CPU) | "Brain" of the computer. Microprocessor that handoles primary calculations for the computer. CPUs are known by names such as Core i5 and Phenom. |
| connectors | small receptacles used to attach cables to a system. Common types of connectors include USB, PS/2, and DB-25 |
| DB Connectors | D-shaped connectors used for a 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. Also called D-sub, D-subminiature, or D-shell connectors |
| Digital Video Interface (DVI) | Special video connector designed for digital-to-digital connections; most commonly seen on PC video cards and LCD monitors. Some versions also support analog signals with a special adapter. |
| D-Subminiature | DB connectors, D-sub, or D-shell connectors. |
| eSATA | Serial ATA-based connector for external hard drives and optical drives. |
| Expansion Slots | Connecors on a motherboard that enable users to add opptional components to a system. |
| FireWire | Interconnection standard to send wide-band signals over a serialized, physically thin connector system. Serial bus developed by Apple and Texas Instruments; enables connection of 63 devices at speeds u0p 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 that are not currently being used by the CPU. |
| Hi-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) | Single multimedia connection that includes both high-definition video and audio. One of the best connections for out-putting to television. Also contains copy protection features. |
| hot-swappable | Any hardware that may be attatched to or removed from a PC without interrupting the PC's normal processing. |
| IEEE | Leading standards-setting group in the United States |
| 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 a USB connection, and those that use wireless technology. |
| microprocessor | "Brain" of a 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 signals; perfect for stereo sound. |
| 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 ypically a telephone line, and analog signals are typically sounds. |
| monitor | Screen that displays data from the PC. Can use either a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) to display images. |
| 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 selct 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 disks, 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 | In networking, the number used to identify the requested service (such as SMTP or FTP) when connecting to a TCP/IP host. Examples: 80 (HTTP), 20 (FTP), 69 (TFTP), 25 (SMTP), and 110 (POP3). |
| 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 | 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 eightwire UTP; usually found in network connections. |
| Serial port | Common connector on a PC. Connects input devices (such as a mouse) or communications devices (such as a modem). |
| Software | Single group of programs designed to do a particular job; always stored on mass storage devices. |
| Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) | Digital audio connector found on many sound cards. Users can connect their computers directly to a 5.1 speaker system or reciever. S/PDIF comes in both a coaxial and an optical version. |
| Speakers | Device that outputs sound by using magnetically driven diaphragm. |
| System unit | main component of the PC, in which the CPU, RAM, CD-ROM, and hard drive reside. All other device-the keyboard, mouse and monitor-connect to the system unit. |
| Trackball | Pointing device distinguished by a ball that is rolled with 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. |
