Hardware - CGS
central processing unit
- the computer's main microprocesser
embedded computer examples
-a digital watch -a programmable thermostat or even a coffee pot -anti lock brakes and ignition systems in vehicles -many medical devices have these with real time operating systems
tablet
-highly mobile -touchscreen -separate keyboard and mouse can be added -hardware and RAM cannot be upgraded -some use a smaller operating system
differentiating computers
-identifying computer types: increasingly difficult -tablets often come with keyboards and a full OS: more like laptops 2-1s: laptops with detaching keyboards -all in ones: basically huge tablets
processor manufacturers
-intel -NVIDIA -AMD
uses of a tablet
-light yet powerful: great for travel, reading, email, games -with a separate keyboard, tablets gain much of a laptop's functionality -if it comes with a smaller OS apps may be limited to mobile versions
uses of a laptop
-mobile: can be carried to class -full operating system: will run all applications -plenty of storage space -memory can be upgraded
computer memory
-refers to a variety of memory types -memory is physically found on microchips that are located on the motherboard -comprised of solid state electronics
desktop
-separate system unit -peripherals -system unit: allows for easy hardware upgrades -large footprint
all-in-one
-stationary device -computer within a large montior -separate keyboard and mouse -usually a touchscreen monitor -full operating system
gigabyte
1 billion bytes
single core processor
1 core = usually 1 ALU + 1 control unit single core processor = 1 for
kilobyte
1 thousand bytes
terabyte
1 trillion bytes
petabye
1,000 terabytes
high definition
1920x1080p
simplified computer layout
CPU and GPU - 2 computers within a computer -data travels on buses -memory and caches -storage
multicore processor
CPU with two or more cores (ALU + control unit) -capable of "hyper threading"
gigahertz
GHz -equal to one billion cycles
high-definition multimedia interface
HDMI allows for the transmission of high-definition audio and video signals -standard interface for high definition video
megahertz
MHz -equal to one million cycles per second
musical instrument digital interphase
MIDI -special connector for digital musical devices -carries extremely clean digital music signals and is very common in today's music scene
embedded computer
a computer that is integrated (a part of) a larger device or system -typically have small operating systems referred to as Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) with limited capability
computer
a digital device that: -access input -processes data into information -stores data -provides information output
uses of all-in-ones
a neat, clean look for a desk or office -a large monitor without the large system unit -not easily upgradeable, not as popular with computer experts or serious gamers
ports
a point designed to accept a specific connector -always plug into -example: a thumb drive connector plugs into a USB port
protocol
a set of rules for communication between devices that determines how data is transmitted and received -there are many protocols that are used to help streamline the communication of all digital devices
blu-ray discs
a type of optical media (written/rad by laser) -can store up to 50 GB of data
megabyte
about 1 million bytes
native resolution
actual number of pixels of the display
screensize
actual viewable area of a display -measured diagonally -a major factor when choosing a digital device
solid state drives (SSD)
all electronic storage device -used in a variety of products: smartphones, cameras, and tablet computers -no moving parts (fast, durable)
wireless ports
allow transmission of data using radio waves -WiFi, bluetooth, infrared
media players
allow you to listen to audio files such as music, podcasts, read books, and watch videos -called personal media players (kindle and apple iPod)
hard drive capacity
amount a available storage -usually measured in gigabytes
SSD capacity
amount of available storage -usually measured in GB -major factor in the price of a tablet or a smartphone
bus width
amount of data a bus can carry -wider bus = faster data transfer
wordsize
amount of data a processor can hold and process at one time -today's processors generally have word sizes of 32 or 64 bits
video graphics array (VGA) connectors
analog connector used for monitors and televisions during the 1990s -largely replaced by HDMI connectors
graphics adapter
call a video card -performs graphics processing, creates video output -gaming and other HD applications may require an enhanced video card
downward compatibility
capable of using older (lower technology) products or software -most optical drives
processor
central processing unit (CPU) -brains of the computer -the most important hardware component -located on the main circuit board -2 main components: ALU, control unit
overclocking
changing processor setting so computer runs faster than recommended by the manufacturer -can overheat the computer -voids warranties
motherboard
circuit board that holds the computer's central processing unit
resolution
clarity of an image -measured in lines of pixels -more pixels = higher resolution
2-in-1 computer
combines the mobility of a tablet with the power of a laptop -full operating system -solid state hard drive -less storage than a traditional laptop -touchscreen -keyboard is either detachable or can be flipped behind the monitor -owners use cloud storage
server
computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users -host computers
random access memory (RAM)
computer's main memory: located on the motherboard, connected to the CPU -solid state electronics -the memory available to programs to execute tasks -temporary storage area, cleared when device is powered off
input
computers accept data from many sources including, keyboards, cameras, microphones, even other computer
process
computers compile and transform data into useful information
output
computers display information in many forms - images, video, audio
store
computers have the ability to store data for future use
binary
consists of two digits - 0 and 1 -each 0 or 1 is called a bit -eight binary digits grouped together are called a byte
web server
controls access to resources on the web
network server
controls access to resources such as printers and applications on a network
ripping
copying data from a disk to a computer's hard drive
lightning connector and port
designed by apple for iPods, iPads, iPhones, and apple watch docks -high speed data and power transfer connection -8 pin adapter -can plug in either direction
thunderbolt
designed by apple for macintosh computers and apple devices -high speed data and power transfer connection -allow for connecting up to 6 devices
DVD-
developed by pioneer
DVD+
developed by sony
DVD-RW
digital versatile disc re-writable -erased and recorded multiple times
DVD-R
digital versatile disc-recordable can be written to one time
DVDs
digital versatile discs -a type of optical media (written/read by laser) -typically can store up to 8.5 Gb of data
amount of RAM
directly impacts processing speed -most phones: at least 2 GB -most laptops: at least 4 GB
computer bus
electronic pathway connecting computer parts -data and information travel over buses -bus connecting CPU to RAM
hyperthreading
executing multiple instructions simultaneously
uses of a desktop
great for: -businesses -families with children that might drop laptops -gamers and computer experts, allows for flexibility and expansion
smartphone
handheld computer with cellular networking capability -screensize and computing power: main limitations -uses mobile versions of apps -durable, solid state technology (battery life)
memory cache
high speed memory used by the CPU to store frequently accessed data and instructions -referred to by levels
disk cache
high speed memory used by the hard drive to store frequently accessed data
cache
high-speed storage area usually located directly on the CPU -smaller but faster than RAM -used to speed repeated instructions -used wherever high speed memory can accelerate processing
laptop
hinged folding computer -integrated monitor, keyboard and touchpad -full operating system -aside from smartphones, remains the top selling type of personal computer
machine cycle
how a computer processes instructions 4 steps: - fetch the instruction -decode the instruction -execute the instruction -store the instruction
processor speed
how fast a computer can process an instruction -2 major factors impacting processor speed: clock speed, bus width
IrDA
infrared data association -often used with a wireless mouse, keyboard, remote control, etc -wireless connection using infrared radio waves
internal storage
integral to the computer -called the computer's hard drive
storage
keeping files, information, and data for future use -data remains intact when computer is turned off
control unit
locates, analyzes, and executes instructions
mainframe computers
more powerful than servers and are used by organizations to process large amounts of data -very expensive costing from $100,00 to over $1 million dollars
unicode
most common computer code -uses at least 16 bits per character -virtually limitless characters: allows for foreign languages
ethernet port
most commonly used port for a wire network connection -used for local area networks or for connecting modems and routers to the internet
supercomputers
most powerful type of computer -can evaluate complex data very quickly -many in the US are owned by the government
desktop computer
motherboard is housed in the chassis, such as this tower (system unit)
clock speed
number of instructions -processed per second by the CPU -sometimes called clock rate -usually measured in gigahertz 1 GHz = 1 billion per second
ASCII
once the most common computer code -american standard code for information interchange
system unit
part of the computer that houses the motherboard -motherboard -CPU
arithmetic logic unit
performs mathematical tasks
computer hardware
physical parts of a computer -the system unit -printer -monitor -keyboard -mouse -router
pixel perfect
pixels from incoming signal matches native resolution of display
computing functions
processing cycle -input -process -output -store
R
recordable (one time)
USB drives
relatively inexpensive, durable, solid state electronic storage devices
external storage
resides outside the computer itself -external hard drives, USB drives (thumb drives)
RW
rewritable (multiple times_
bluetooth
short-distance wireless transmission technology -uses short wavelength radio waves that pass easily through walls, furniture, etc. -signal is usually strong to about 30 feet, then the signal weakens
3.5 mm audio connectors
small analog audio connector with 2-5 contacts used with: -translator radios in the 1950s -sony walkman cassette players in the 1980s -nearly all cell phones
all-in-one computers
smaller footprint than desktops, but can't be upgraded
pixel
smallest element in an image -usually composed of a red + blue + green dot -more pixels = better image quality
connector
specialized end of a cable or device that plugs into a port
read-only memory (ROM)
storage for data and instructions installed by a manufacturer -not generally rewritable (can't be altered or removed) -includes the device's starting instructions
smartphone
system unit behind touchscreen
laptop
system unit beneath the keyboard
computer graphics
the images sent from a computer to a display -usually created by a separate processes within the computer called the graphics processing unit
boot process
the process of loading an operating system into main memory 1. device is powered on 2. power on self test is executed 3. OS is loaded into RAM 4. OS checks the registry and loads saved communication settings
USB
universal serial bus -specialized connector allowing data and power transfer
CAT5e
up to 1 Gb/sec
CAT6
up to 10 Gb/sec
CAT5 ethernet
up to 100 Mb/sec
encoding standards
use numerical values to represent characters (letters, numbers, and symbols
file server
used for data storage
optical drives
used in DVD, blu ray and CD players -reads and writes data using lasers -speed measured in RPM of the spinning disc -actual discs = optical media
hertz
used to measure frequency -one hertz = one cycle per second -Hz
hard drive
usually a laptop or desktop computer's primary storage device -used fixed disk platters to store data and information -hard disk
wifi
wireless local area network -most computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming platforms are wifi capable -wifi transmission site = hotspot
burning
writing data onto a disc