Computer Hardware

Touchpad

a digital tracking device situated on the keyboard of a laptop computer; allows you to simply move and tap your finger on a small electronic pad to control the pointer on the screen

Mouse

a hand-held device used to move a pointer on the computer screen

Bar Code Reader

a hand-held device used to scan UPC bar codes (universal product codes) which track merchandise and equipment or other types of inventory in a store

Computer

a machine that is used to store, retrieve, and manipulate data

Magnetic Tape

a medium most commonly used for backing up a computer system, which means making a copy of files from a hard drive

Central Processing Unit

a silicon chip that processes data and carries out instructions given to the computer

Byte

a single character of data; made up of 8 bits

USB Flash Drive

a very portable small storage device that works both as a drive and a storage medium; it plugs directly into a USB port on the computer system unit; you read and write data to the drive.

Peripherals

additional components that are not essential, but enhance the operations of a computer

Tablet PC

allows you to input data by writing directly on the computer screen; handwriting recognition technology converts handwritten writing to text

Binary Code

data digitally encoded as a series of 1's and 0's, corresponding to the electrical values of on and off, respectively

Hard Disk Drive

fixed storage; the main storage device for a computer

Trackball

has a roller ball that turns to control a pointer on the screen

Resolution

how clear an image will be on the screen and is measured in pixels

Data Bus

includes the wiring and pathways by which the CPU communicates with the peripherals and components of the computer

Keyboard

information is entered into a computer by typing

Scanner

input device that converts text or graphics from a printed page into code that a computer can process

Computer System

made up of components that include input, processing, and output devices

Bit

smallest increment of data on a computer; can only hold one of two values, either a 0 or 1, representing off or on.

Microphone

sound input device which accepts speech or sounds as input and converts the speech to text or data

Hardware

the physical components, devices, or parts of the computer

Diagonal

the size of a monitor is determined by measuring the ?? of the screen

Printers

they let you produce a paper printout of information contained in the computer and use either inkjet or laser technology to produce high-quality print

Pixels

tiny dots that make up the display to present the full spectrum of colors

Motherboard

where the computer memory and other vital electronic parts are stored

Touchscreen

works like a mouse by using your finger to move around the screen