Ch.2.3 Helpdesk: Exploring storage devices and ports

HDMI Ports

A HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) port is a compact audio-video interface that carries both high-definition video and uncompressed digital audio on one cable. All currently available monitors, DVD players, TVs, and game consoles have at least one HDMI port.

What Are Flash Drives?

Backside of USB flash drive on white background Flash drives, sometimes referred to as jump drives, USB drives, or thumb drives, are an alternative way of storing portable data. These drives conveniently plug into USB ports. Despite their diminutive size, flash drives have significant storage capacity.

What does an internal hard drive do?

The hard drive is the computer's permanent memory. Data stored on the hard drive is not erased when you shut off the computer.

If you have an external hard drive, is a flash drive needed?

You might want a flash drive if you want portability and need to store up to 256 GB.

What is the fastest port on the market?

The Thunderbolt port.

Can I add more USB ports to my computer in order to connect multiple peripheral devices?

A port is an interface through which peripheral devices are connected to the computer. You can add extra ports through means such as expansion cards or expansion hubs.

Adding Ports to Your Computer

Another option is to add an expansion hub, a device that connects to one port to provide additional new ports.

What Is Cloud Storage?

Cloud storage refers to using a service that keeps your files on the Internet (in the "cloud") rather than storing your files solely on a local device. Using a cloud storage service requires that you install software/an app on your device but it allows you to access your files from any computer. A popular web-based application for storing files on the cloud is Dropbox. Other cloud storage alternatives include Microsoft OneDrive, Apple iCloud, and Google Drive.

Flash memory cards

Flash memory cards isolated over white background Flash memory cards are tiny removable memory cards that let you transfer digital data between your computer and devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, video cameras, and printers. Flash memory cards use solid-state flash memory. Although incredibly small, these memory cards have capacities that exceed the capacity of a DVD.

What Are External Hard Drives?

For better portability, external hard drives are readily available. External hard drives are essentially internal hard drives that have been made portable by enclosing them in a protective case and making them small and lightweight. High-capacity external hard drives are often used to back up (make a copy of) data that is contained on the internal hard drive. Some external hard drives are small enough to fit into your pocket.

Ports

Ports are the places through which peripheral devices, such as printers, attach to the computer so that data can be exchanged between them and the operating system.

Ethernet Ports

The Ethernet port is used to connect a computer to a DSL or cable modem, or a network. This port transfers data at speeds up to 10,000 Mbps.

USB Ports

The USB (universal serial bus) port is the most common port used to connect input and output devices to the computer. Keyboards, printers, mice, smartphones, external hard drives, flash drives, and digital cameras can all be connected to the computer using USB ports. The current USB 3.1 standard provides transfer speeds of 10 Gbps and charges devices faster than previous USB ports. USB ports come in different configurations, which allows them to be integrated into all different sizes of devices.

Thunderbolt Ports

Thunderbolt is the newest input/output technology on the market. It uses fiber optic technology and can achieve transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. Apple was the first computer maker to integrate the ports into their hardware although other manufacturers are now following suit.

Adding Ports to Your Computer

To add new ports or to expand the number of ports on a computer, you have several options. You can install a special expansion card in your system unit to provide you with additional ports. These cards clip into an open expansion slot on the motherboard.

Hard Drive Basics

With storage capacities of up to 8 terabytes (TB) or more, the hard drive is the computer's primary device for permanent storage of software and documents. Like all storage devices, the hard drive is a nonvolatile storage device. This means it holds the data and instructions your computer needs permanently, even after the computer is turned off. The hard drive is installed inside the system unit.

If I have a 1 TB internal hard drive, will I also need any additional storage devices?

Yes, you might want to purchase an external hard drive for better portability or to back up data on your internal hard drive.

What kind of port is needed to connect an LCD monitor to a notebook computer?

You will want an HDMI port, which also allows you to connect a game console.