Introduction to Computers
Input Device
Any piece of computer hardware used to provide data to the computer.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Brain of the computer that performs instructions defined by software
Storage Device Cable
Cable inside the computer transferring data between the motherboard and storage devices.
Clock Rate
Common measurement of the CPU speed; tells how fast the CPU can process data; the higher the clock rate, the faster the CPU.
Touchpad
Computer pointing device which takes advantage of a tactile sensor to detect a user's finger movement.
Defragmentation
Computer program allowing the computer to communicate with a hardware device.
Ethernet Cable
Cord connecting to the computer to the internet
Driver
Helps the computer communicate with the device.
liquid crystal display (LCD)
Is a flat-panel display or other electronically modulated optical device that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals
Hard Drive
Main storage device of a computer, commonly referred as an internal device and used to permanently store data.
monitor
Output device which displays graphics and images from the computer.
Hardware
Physical parts of a computer, such as the hard drive, video card, monitor, and other substantial computer parts.
Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Provides better quality images.
External Hard Drive
Removable hard drive located outside of the main computer tower.
Software
Set of computer programs designed to enable computers to accomplish certain tasks; major types of software include programming software, system software, and application software.
Giahertz
The speed of microprocessors, called the clock speed, often is measured in gigahertz.
Motherboard
When you 1st open the computer, the 1st thing you see is a big board, which holds all of the components together
Personal Computer
a computer designed for use by one person at a time.
Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)
a pre-pressed optical compact disc that contains data.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
a proprietary audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed video data and compressed or uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as a display controller, to a compatible computer monitor, video projector, digital television, or digital audio device.
Surge Protector
an appliance or device designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes.
Power Connector
attaches to the power supply to the internal device. Their job is to allow the computer to connect to the internet.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
computer memory chips containing permanent or semi-permanent data.
Power Supply
converts power from the electrical outlet to the lower voltages your computer to connect to the Internet.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Connector
is a common interface that enables communication between devices and a host controller such as a personal computer
Random Access Memory (RAM)
is a form of computer data storage that stores data and machine code currently being used.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
is a port used to connect display devices, such as LCD monitors or projectors, with the output device.
Digital Video Read-Only Memory (DVD-ROM)
is a read-only digital versatile disc (DVD) commonly used for storing large software applications.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
is a standard for connecting and transferring data from hard disk drive to computer systems.
Power Cord
is an electrical cable that temporarily connects an appliance to the mains electricity supply via a wall socket or extension cord.
Output Device
is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or physical reproduction.
Megahertz (MHz)
is commonly used to express microprocessor clock speed.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
is non-volatile firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process, and to provide run-time services for operating systems and programs.
Binary Digit (Bit)
is the smallest unit of data in a computer
