CompTIA A+ 220-801 220-802 Chapter 10

thick client

A business computer that has applications loaded on the local hard drive. Contrast with thin client.

gaming PC

A computer design that includes a powerful processor, high-end video or specialized GPU, a good sound card, and high-end cooling due to the demands placed on hardware when playing computer-based games.

virtualization PC

A computer that has multiple operating systems in a virtual environment where one operating system has no interaction with the other operating system—they are independent of one another. A virtualization PC has multiple powerful multi-core processors, maximum RAM, mutliple fast large capacity hard drives, 1Gbps network connection, virtualization software, and a possible NAS.

audio/video editing PC

A computer used to create and modify sound or video files. The computer commonly has multiple powerful multi-core processors, maximum system RAM, specialized video and audio cards, one or more very fast and large-capacity hard drives, good speakers, quality mouse, dual displays, and possibly a digital tablet and/or scanner.

IOPS (input/output operations per second)

A measurement of hard drive speed for both magnetic drives and SSDs that takes into account sequential reads/writes as well as random reads/writes.

nanometer

A measurement of processor technology length equal to .000000001 meter (1 time 10-9). For example, chipsets created using 22nm technology have more transistors in the same amount of space as chipsets created using 32nm or 45nm technology.

EPEAT rating system

A rating system that works in conjunction with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to identify products that have a green (and clean) design.

home server

A server commonly used to be a Web server, print server, control home devices, manage backups, and/or be access from outside the home. A home server commonly includes the ability to stream sound or video, share files, have a Gigabit NIC, or have a RAID hard drive array.

ENERGY STAR

A set of energy efficiency standards including those relating to total energy requirements, low power mode(s), and an efficient power supply that a product must meet to meet this standard.

AV hard drive (audio/video hard drive)

A special hardware component associated with home theater configuration. This drive is quiet.

NAS (network-attached storage)

A special hardware component of virtualization to increase storage space that can be shared with other devices.

media player

A special hardware component to a home theater configuration that allows streaming entertainment, watch your own videos and photos, or listen to your own music and possible wireless connectivity.

DVR (digital video recorder)

A special hardware component to a home theater configuration to record TV shows, transfer data from a camcorder or camera, or store movies or media for playback.

HTPC (home theater PC)

A special hardware component to a home theater configuration, which has a compact form factor case and motherboard with quiet fans and quiet power supply fan.

thin client

A type of computer that does not have all the ports and components (such as a hard drive) of a traditional PC.

air filter

Traps air dust and dirt particles on air flow intake openings (not exhaust). Can be either removable or built into a case.