Hardware
CD-Rom
Pronounced see-dee-rom, abbreviation of Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory. A type of optical disk capable of storing large amounts of
data -- up to 1GB, although the most common size is 650MB. A single CD-ROM has the storage capacity of 700 floppy disks, enough memory to store about 300,000 text pages.
CPU
Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
Memory
Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chip, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disk. Moreover, the term memory is usually used as a shorthand for physical memory, which refers to the actual chips capable of holding data. Some computers also use virtual memory , which expands physical memory onto a hard disk.
Every computer comes with a certain amount of physical memory, usually referred to as main memory or RAM. You can think of main memory as an array of boxes, each of which can hold a single byte of information.
A computer that has 1 megabyte of memory, therefore, can hold about 1 million bytes (or characters) of information.
Monitor
Another term for display screen. The term monitor, however, usually refers to the entire box, whereas display screen can mean just the screen. In addition, the term monitor often implies graphics capabilities.
MotherBoard
The main circuit board or printed_circuit_board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass
storage interface, serial and parallel ports , expansion slots , and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen , keyboard, and disk drive. Collectively,
all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's chipset.
New System
Refers to a combination of components working together. For example, a computer system includes both hardware and software. A Windows system is a personal computer running the Windows operating system. A desktop publishing system is a computer running desktop publishing software.
Printer
A device that prints text or illustrations on paper. There are many different types of printers.
Sound Card
An expansion board that enables a computer to manipulate and output sounds. Sound cards are necessary for nearly all CD-ROMs and have become commonplace on modern personal computers. Sound cards enable the
computer to output sound through speakers connected to the board, to record sound input from a microphone connected to the computer, and manipulate sound store on a disk.
Storage
Refers to various techniques and devices for storing large amounts of data. The earliest storage devices were punched paper cards, which were used as early as 1804 to control silk-weaving looms. Modern mass
storage devices include all types of disk drives and tape drives. Mass storage is distinct from memory, which refers to temporary storage areas within the computer. Unlike main memory, mass storage devices
retain data even when the computer is turned off.
Video Card
A board that plugs into a personal computer to give it display capabilities. The display capabilities of a computer, however, depend on both the logical circuitry (provided in the video adapter) and the display
monitor. A monochrome monitor, for example, cannot display colors no matter how powerful the video adapter.
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