| A | B |
|---|
| computer case | the metal and plastic box that houses the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply |
| video card | works with monitor to display images |
| power cord | the link between the power outlet and the power supply unit in the computer casing. |
| keyboard | one of the primary ways we communicate with the computer and enter data. |
| mouse | a peripheral that is known as a pointing device. |
| optical mouse | uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean |
| mechanical mouse | uses a rolling ball to detect movement |
| optical disc drive | Often called a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive |
| scanner | allows you to copy an image or document and save it to your computer as a digital (computer-readable) image |
| processor | the brain of the computer |
| motherboard | the computer's main circuit board |
| megahertz | used to measure a computer's speed |
| RAM | your system's short-term memory |
| bit | the smallest unit of data in computer processing |
| byte | group of eight bits |
| hard drive | the data center of the computer |
| magnetic platter | where hard disks store data |
| network card | allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the internet |
| PCI cards | expansion cards |
| monitor | works with video card to display images and text on the screen |
| USB | universal serial bus |
| blu-ray disc | typically hold about 25 gigabytes of data |
| CPU | central processsing unit (processor) located on the motherboard |
| heat sink | covers CPU socket and absorbs heat |
| blue tooth | a technolog for wireless communication over short distances |
| silicon chip | located inside the CPU; about the size of a thumbnail |
